Five (more) things you might not know about Cortex motion capture software

In July 2021, we debuted Cortex 9, which enabled users across a wide range of industries – from researchers and scientists to engineers, biomechanics professionals and creatives – to use motion capture more efficiently and effectively. 

And now, we’re taking things up a notch with Cortex 9.2. The latest version of our Cortex software, Cortex 9.2 is all about expanding digital integrations; particularly the Ultium EMG and IMU systems from Noraxon. Before Cortex 9.2, users would have needed extra components – including additional hardware, extra cables and a wire for each channel – to collect data from a Noraxon system in Cortex. This could get quite messy and add complexity to a setup. Now, the setup simply requires a USB cable from the Noraxon base unit into the PC.

In addition to this, we have also expanded the types of Delsys sensors that can be used. The latest version of Cortex is compatible with two more sensor types, doubling what was previously available. And we’ve added additional compatibility with reference video cameras and made improvements to digital force plate integrations for TecGihan and Kistler. The latest version of Cortex also includes several bug fixes, as is standard with any new release. 

A little while back, we showcased several Cortex features users might not know about. With the recent release of Cortex 9.2, we’re adding to this list. Take a look.

Capture Inspector 

Captures can consist of many file types covering tracks, raw camera data, analogue, marker sets and so much more. In addition to this, when users are analyzing their capture, they are often copying data from one computer to another. All of this increases the likelihood that you could ‘lose’ certain files. With the Capture Inspector assistant panel you can easily identify when data gets lost or mixed up and clean up and rename files so that it’s easier to find them down the line. 

Golden Templates

If you’re using the same marker set for every subject, you can keep adding information – things like height, size, shape – and the Golden Template will keep learning. This means that rather than having to manually identify each and every subject, Cortex 9.2 will automatically add the subject’s linkage lengths and range from a Golden Template. So users no longer have to name each marker individually, making it possible to automatically label a new subject when they enter. 

Moving Origins

One of our exciting new post process analyzing tools allows you to make adjustments to characters that might not quite be in the volume or at the angle you want them to be in. With Moving Origins, you can simply slide the character into the correct space, adjusting the origin of a live piece of equipment.

Normalization

When you’re comparing person A to person B or you’re looking at someone wearing shoes versus someone without shoes on, you need to have a sense of what is ‘normal’ and use this as your baseline. This entails plotting a movement through a cycle from 0 – 100. With Cortex 9.2, you can normalize the amount of time it takes to complete a movement so that it’s easier to compare one cycle of data to another. Once you’ve worked with 20 or 30 subjects you can get a sense of an average and then identify any differences or deviations from the ‘normal’.

Workflows

With the Workflows panel, introduced with Cortex 9.0, users can quickly automate repetitive tasks. This saves time and delivers greater consistency between users. Workflows can be set up to include any number of functions in Live Mode or Post Process mode and are ideal for users who don’t have scripting or coding experience. Once a workflow is created, it can then be saved and applied to different capture sessions and by different users to maintain a consistent protocol.

And if you’re in need of a little help, the full Cortex 9.2 manual and QuickStart guide can be launched from the HELP tab. And when using the software, if you click the ‘?’ on the page, a context sensitive Panel Help bar will appear. 

Want to see one of the many new Cortex 9.2 motion capture software features in action? Check out this video of a workflow designed to get you ready for subject collection in just a few clicks.