About
MocapX transforms your iPhone into a professional-grade motion capture device, feeding real-time animation data straight into Autodesk Maya. Using Apple's TrueDepth camera and ARKit, it tracks 52 facial expressions, eye gaze, and blink patterns at 60 frames per second with sub-millimeter precision — all without expensive optical systems or suit-based rigs. The Maya plug-in supports Maya 2017 through 2026+ on both Windows and macOS, and connects to any production rig directly. Animators can bake motion onto controllers, record clips non-destructively, and manage reusable expressions through the built-in Pose Library editor. Beyond the face, MocapX also supports full-body tracking, 3D camera position/rotation streaming, and 2D character rig support for flat animation pipelines. A game controller can be paired with the iPhone to trigger animation cues, switch poses, and control playback — making it practical on live shoots and in-studio sessions. Data can be transmitted over WiFi or USB for maximum flexibility. MocapX is designed for professional animators, rigging TDs, indie studios, game developers, and VFX artists who need production-quality capture without the overhead of traditional mocap labs. It is compatible with popular rigging systems such as Advanced Skeleton and any custom Maya rig, making it highly versatile across feature film, game, and broadcast pipelines.
Key Features
- 52-Expression Facial & Eye Tracking: Uses iPhone's TrueDepth camera to capture 52 ARKit blendshapes including eye gaze, blink patterns, and head rotation at 60fps.
- Real-Time Maya Integration: Streams live motion data directly to any Maya rig's controllers; supports Maya 2017–2026+ on Windows and macOS via a dedicated plug-in.
- Built-in Pose Library: Create, save, and apply pose presets for consistent character expressions, supporting a non-destructive animation workflow inside Maya.
- Full-Body & Camera Tracking: Beyond the face, MocapX captures full-body movement and streams 3D camera position and rotation data into virtual scenes.
- WiFi, USB & Gamepad Support: Connect via WiFi or USB for data streaming, and pair a game controller to trigger animations and switch poses during live sessions.
Use Cases
- Animating 3D characters in Autodesk Maya using live iPhone facial performance for film, TV, or game cinematics
- Indie game studios capturing expressive NPC and hero animations without a traditional mocap lab or suit
- Rigging TDs testing and validating facial rig setups in real time using live data streams from an iPhone
- Content creators and YouTubers producing animated avatar videos by mapping their own facial expressions onto 3D characters
- Virtual production teams streaming camera tracking data from an iPhone into Maya for previz or real-time virtual set workflows
Pros
- No Expensive Hardware Required: Turns any Face ID iPhone into a professional mocap device, dramatically lowering the barrier to entry for studios and solo animators.
- Works With Any Maya Rig: Compatible with custom rigs and popular systems like Advanced Skeleton, making it adaptable across diverse production pipelines.
- 60fps Capture for Smooth Data: High frame-rate capture ensures detailed, production-ready motion data on all modern iPhones.
- Large & Proven User Base: Downloaded by over 29,500 animators and studios, offering community resources and proven real-world reliability.
Cons
- Requires Face ID iPhone for Facial Capture: Full facial mocap functionality is limited to iPhones with the TrueDepth camera (Face ID models), excluding older or budget devices.
- Maya-Only Plugin: The desktop integration is exclusive to Autodesk Maya; users of Blender, Cinema 4D, or other DCC tools cannot use the plug-in.
- Pricing Transparency Requires Visiting Site: Detailed paid tier information is not surfaced in the free download flow, requiring animators to navigate to the pricing page separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which iPhone or iPad models are compatible with MocapX?
MocapX works with any iPhone or iPad running iOS 15.0 or later. However, facial motion capture requires a device with Face ID (TrueDepth camera). A full list of supported devices is available in the official documentation.
Can MocapX be used for commercial projects?
Yes. MocapX is built for professional animators and studios, and there are no restrictions on using captured motion data in commercial productions.
Does MocapX work with custom rigs in Maya?
Yes. MocapX connects motion capture data directly to any Maya rig's controllers. It also supports popular rigging systems like Advanced Skeleton and offers a non-destructive Pose Library workflow.
Which versions of Autodesk Maya are supported?
The latest MocapX plug-in (v2.2.2) supports Maya 2024, 2025, and 2026 on Windows and macOS. Older plug-in versions covering Maya 2017–2023 are also available on the downloads page.
What frame rate does MocapX capture at?
MocapX captures facial and body motion at 60 frames per second. Performance is consistent on modern iPhones, though it may vary slightly depending on device hardware.
