Metaverse Exchange Protocol (MXP) – Enabling default bone structures and real time gesturing for OpenSimulator
OpenSimulator community controlled protocol extensions like Open Metaverse Structured Data (OMSD) extension for Metaverse Exchange Protocol (MXP) and custom viewers enable long lived dreams to be realized. One of these dreams is real time recorded and played gestures. This vision is fast becoming reality as dependencies to 3rd party protocols and viewers are not blocking innovation anymore. Traditional input devices or full blown motion tracking devices can be integrated to viewers for real time recording of gestures.
OpenSimulator is currently in process of adopting Metaverse Exchange Protocol (MXP) as alternative protocol for Client to Server communication. The ideas and design principles for MXP originate from Internet (see: MXP Background Reading) and two protocols specifications: SETP and CICP (Ben Lindquist / Green Phosphor). The modular architecture of OpenSimulator allows for multiple protocols to be supported simultaneously. In other words SecondLife breed of clients and MXP enabled clients (IdealistViewer) can interact in the same simulation.
Open Metaverse Structured Data (OMSD) schema contains required MXP extension fragments for transmitting poses for default biped bone structures and custom bone structures. Smooth gesturing is achieved by interpolating frames between different poses (key frames) with simple well known algorithms. Tomorrow you can greet you friend with improvised moves and bone driven facial expressions are not far behind. Open source virtual world systems are now taking a step ahead of their commercial game counterparts.
Figure 1. Illustration of Open Metaverse default biped bone structure. (Nathan Vegdahl's public domain biped.)
Open Metaverse default skeleton originates from realXtend project which was first OpenSimulator compliant platform to support custom character meshes. RealXtend extensions are available as OpenSimulator module (Modrex) and OpenSimulator extensions to MXP are compliant with realXtend character skeletons.
As OpenSimulator technology advances other areas affecting end user experience gain momentum. Avatar model quality is an immersion factor and modeling humans requires both time and talent. Community effort has been initiated to create creative commons licensed male and female archetype avatars for OpenSimulator and compliant systems. We are inviting all open collaboration spirited modeling artists to join this push towards next level of Metaverse experience.
This is an awesome extension, and it´s good to read about it.
While it will be very important for opensims success to support Sl-compliant Viewer for a mid to long term, this should even be no problem due to the multi-protocol support built in.
Opensim has proven to be flexible by this.
Please keep us update, esp. on ready-made viewer (binaries or simple builds with instructions) , so that people can have a first look.
cheers,
Ralf
Thank you Ralf for your encouraging words. We will keep you guys up to date.