H
About
Credo Interactive, founded by Dr. Thomas W. Calvert of Simon Fraser University, is an innovator in 3D character animation with a specialized focus on dance and choreography. Their product suite includes Life Forms 5.0, a powerful character animation platform; DanceForms 2.0, dedicated choreography software for pre-visualization of dance sequences; and MegaMoCap V2, comprehensive motion capture content bundles. Life Forms and DanceForms allow users to build and edit animation sequences using key poses, textual notation in a timeline, and a rich library of motion capture clips spanning ballet, everyday movement, and more. The tools are used in classrooms, professional studios, movement research labs, and theatrical productions. The comprehensive BalletMoves II collection is among the standout motion capture libraries available. In collaboration with the SFU Moving Stories Project, Credo's software and content are now freely available for download, making professional-grade choreography animation accessible to students and educators. The tools integrate smoothly with broader 3D production pipelines and support macOS platforms. Endorsed by legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham, Credo's software has a 15+ year track record as the premier solution for choreographic pre-visualization and movement research.
Key Features
- Life Forms 5.0 Character Animation: A full-featured 3D character animation platform supporting keyframe editing, motion capture import/export, and timeline-based pose sequencing.
- DanceForms 2.0 Choreography Software: Purpose-built choreography software enabling dancers and choreographers to pre-visualize movement sequences using key poses and textual notation.
- MegaMoCap Motion Capture Libraries: Extensive bundles of motion capture content ranging from ballet and dance styles to everyday human activities, including the BalletMoves II collection.
- Timeline-Based Notation: Combines key poses with textual movement notation in the timeline, supporting Laban-based approaches and integration with movement analysis workflows.
- Free Academic & Educational Access: In partnership with SFU's Moving Stories Project, all Credo software and content are freely available for download for educational and research use.
Use Cases
- Choreographers using DanceForms to pre-visualize and plan dance sequences before rehearsal, saving studio time and improving communication with dancers.
- Dance educators and university programs incorporating Life Forms and DanceForms into curriculum for teaching movement notation and choreographic principles.
- 3D animators and game developers using MegaMoCap motion capture libraries to accelerate character animation production with realistic human movement data.
- Movement researchers analyzing and comparing human motion data using Credo's animation tools in conjunction with Laban notation systems.
- Theatre and performance professionals using Life Forms for pre-production visualization of stage movement, blocking, and physical performance choreography.
Pros
- Specialized Dance & Choreography Focus: Unlike general 3D tools, Credo's software is purpose-built for dance and movement, making it uniquely suited for choreographers and dance educators.
- Free for Education & Research: The full suite is freely available for download through the SFU partnership, removing cost barriers for students and academic institutions.
- Rich Motion Capture Library: MegaMoCap and BalletMoves II provide a large, curated library of professional motion data that accelerates animation production.
- 15+ Years of Proven Use: Endorsed by Merce Cunningham and used in studios and universities worldwide, with a long-standing reputation in the dance and animation community.
Cons
- Niche Audience: The strong focus on dance and choreography means the software has limited appeal outside of performing arts and movement research contexts.
- Legacy Interface & Platform Support: The software shows signs of age in its UI and the most recent macOS compatibility information references Sierra, raising questions about support for newer operating systems.
- Limited General 3D Production Capabilities: Compared to industry-standard 3D tools like Maya or Blender, Life Forms and DanceForms are narrower in scope and not suitable for full production pipelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Credo Interactive software free to use?
Yes. In collaboration with the Simon Fraser University Moving Stories Project, Credo's software and motion capture content are now freely available for download at charactermotion.com.
What is the difference between Life Forms and DanceForms?
Life Forms is a general-purpose 3D character animation platform suitable for a wide range of animation tasks, while DanceForms is specifically designed for dance choreography pre-visualization, featuring dance-specific notation and movement tools.
What platforms does Credo's software support?
DanceForms 2.1 is confirmed compatible with macOS Sierra and likely supports Windows as well. Users should check the system requirements page for the latest compatibility information.
What motion capture content is included with MegaMoCap?
MegaMoCap V2 bundles include a broad range of motion capture clips from ballet and dance styles to everyday human activities. The BalletMoves II collection is a notable highlight.
Who founded Credo Interactive and what is their background?
Credo Interactive was founded by Dr. Thomas W. Calvert, a professor at Simon Fraser University. The company brings over 15 years of expertise in 3D character animation, with strong ties to academic movement research and dance technology.
