Why use a mouse or keyboard to pose a human figure, when you can have a human figure input device?

It's hard to pose animated characters only because of a completely inappropriate mapping of a 3D task to 1D and 2D devices.

Monkey 2 is a hands-on desktop input device for keyframing and performance capture. Engineered to provide exceptional freedom in designing motion, Monkey 2 can be manipulated any way you want. Twist him. Bend him. Pose him as you see fit. Your on-screen 3D character follows.

	Monkey 2

More importantly, Monkey 2 is entirely modular: you can take apart his Monkey Bones and reassemble them to make all sorts of Monkey creatures, from quadrupeds to imaginary life forms:

It's a carefully crafted user-interface solution, a tool designed to fit a specific need. A tool designed to feel like a fine camera in the hands of an artist. A tool that's the result of as much psychological and perceptual work as raw engineering.

Monkey Bones

Monkey Bones are the individual pieces that comprise Monkey 2. They are sold separately so you can build your own armature:

Monkey Joints are moveable hinge and swivel pieces. They can be simple, containing only one sensor, or compound, containing multiple sensors. Every joint terminates on both ends with a universal male coupling, allowing it to interface with any link. Monkey Links are the pieces that connect joints, allowing you to build a complete skeleton or other armature. Links terminate in female couplings and can be joined to any of the joints, or to any other links using a "link connector." They vary in complexity from the simple half-inch straight link used for joining adjacent links and joints, up to the 6-Link, used for joining links and joints in up to six directions. Bones 'n Things are the various accessories you might need when assembling Monkey Bones.

Monkey bone

Applications:

Keyframing

Traditional animation proceeds with the head animator sketching "key frames" and having others create all of the frames in between them. The Monkey 2 allows easy creation of key frames for 3D animators, using forward kinematics for complete control of all joints. The Monkey 2 is used in this way in creating animation for entertainment and games.

Real-time performance capture

Some animators prefer to let puppeteers manipulate the armature in real time in order to get puppet-like motion into their scene. Monkey 2 has been carefully designed to allow easy real-time manipulation and a smooth, comfortable feel.

Industrial/ergonomics

Workplaces, furniture, and equipment are all now routinely being designed in CAD/CAM systems and prototyped in Virtual Reality environments. Monkey 2 can help put people into those simulations, easily positioning them for tasks like reach/strike analysis and maintenance determination.

Controller Specifications:

	Dimensions 4" x 6" x 1 1/2" Weight 1.2 lbs Resolution 4 arc minutes (approximately 1/15 of a degree) Computer Interface RS-232, user-selectable from 9.6 to 230.4 kbps Data Throughput Up to 4,800 readings per second (120 frames per second for 40 sensors) Power Requirement External 9VAC 500mA (115v or 220v converter supplied) Rear Panel Connectors (1) DB-9 (socket) RS-232 (4) 1/8" mini-phono plugs for footpedals (1) 2.5mm power adaptor receptacle

Armature Specifications:

	Height 25" Weight 4.3 lbs Nonconducive Materials 63.3% by weight Nonferrous Materials 94.1% by weight Joint Life Tested through 10,000 cycles (with no significant change) Drop Resistance 8 feet (tested against hardwood) Total Joints 39 Separable Joint Groups 16 Separable Links 18 Mounting Locations 2