Best Motion Capture Software for Linux of 2025

Blender is an open-source 3D creation suite available for free, encompassing the entire 3D production process—covering modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, motion tracking, video editing, and even 2D animation. Its integrated Cycles engine is a powerful unbiased path-tracer that delivers breathtakingly realistic renders. The extensive modeling capabilities of Blender simplify the creation, transformation, and modification of models efficiently. VFX experts proclaim it to be “probably the best tracker in the market.” Additionally, Blender features robust camera and object tracking functionalities that allow users to import raw video, track it, create masks, and visualize camera movements in real time within the 3D environment, thus removing the need for frequent software switching. With its exceptional rigging and animation tools, Blender has gained popularity among filmmakers, leading to its use in various short films, commercials, television series, and feature-length movies. This versatility has made it an essential tool for artists and creators striving to bring their visions to life.

Unreal Engine stands as the most innovative and inclusive tool for creating real-time 3D experiences. This advanced platform allows you to transform incredible ideas into reality, catering to everyone from beginners to seasoned professionals facing complex challenges. Our abundant resources, which are accessible at no cost, combined with an inspirational community, enable individuals to pursue their creative visions. With more than 160 hours of complimentary online learning materials, a vast array of webinars, and various options for instructor-led training, there is a learning path suited to every preference. The driving force behind Unreal Engine lies in its dedicated creators who form a vibrant community, collaborating to develop state-of-the-art experiences and offering mutual support throughout the journey. Additionally, users can delve into extensive reference documentation, detailed instructional guides, community support networks, and choices for specialized professional assistance to enhance their skills and projects. By joining this community, you not only gain knowledge but also contribute to a collective effort that pushes the boundaries of real-time 3D creation.

DaVinci Resolve serves as a comprehensive post-production software that combines high-end editing, color correction, visual effects, and audio post-production within a single application. The user-friendly interface caters to novices while also providing sophisticated tools for industry professionals, making it a favored choice among filmmakers, television editors, and content creators alike. Renowned for its Emmy-winning color grading functionalities and superior audio processing through Fairlight, DaVinci Resolve stands out in the industry. The software is designed with specialized workspaces for various tasks—editing, color grading, visual effects, and audio—allowing users to transition effortlessly between different aspects of their projects. Additionally, its robust features are augmented by AI-driven tools and real-time collaboration options, which enable teams to work together on the same project simultaneously, eliminating the hassles of file transfers or conversions. With regular updates and a growing community, DaVinci Resolve continues to evolve, ensuring that it meets the ever-changing needs of digital content production.

Synfig Studio is a free and open-source software for 2D animation, crafted to serve as a robust solution for producing film-quality animations through vector and bitmap graphics. By eliminating the necessity for frame-by-frame animation, it enables the creation of superior 2D animations with fewer resources and personnel. You have the ability to morph any vector shape into another seamlessly! Synfig equips you with advanced tools that provide comprehensive control over your vector images. Simply define the key positions, and the software will automatically generate the in-between frames. With over 50 different layers available, Synfig allows for the creation of illustrations and animations with varying levels of complexity. You can select from an array of layer types, including geometry, gradients, filters, distortions, transformations, and fractals, among others. Additionally, its fully-featured bone system facilitates the creation of cutout animations using bitmap images while also allowing for the manipulation of vector artwork, making it an invaluable tool for animators of all skill levels.

The Free Motion Capture Project (FreeMoCap) is dedicated to offering high-quality, markerless motion capture software to the public at no cost. Our objective is to construct an intuitive framework that integrates cutting-edge open-source technologies from the realms of computer vision and machine learning, enabling precise recording of full-body 3D movements for humans, animals, robots, and various other entities. We aspire to democratize access to groundbreaking technologies that underpin FreeMoCap's essential capabilities, ensuring that diverse communities can take advantage of these advancements. Adopting a “Universal Design” approach, we strive to develop a system that meets the demanding requirements of professional researchers while also being easy enough for a 13-year-old with no technical expertise to understand and utilize independently. Ultimately, our mission is to bridge the gap between complex technology and everyday users, fostering innovation and creativity across different fields.

Utilize MotionBuilder®, a powerful 3D character animation program, to capture, edit, and playback intricate animations. This software offers an interactive workspace designed to enhance your productivity and efficiency while maintaining your creative vision. Generate exceptional 3D character animations by leveraging its library of prebuilt movements. Achieve lifelike character motions using one of the fastest animation tools available in the industry. Enhance your character animations with robust, production-tested tools that manipulate motion capture data effectively. The included software development kit and FBX data exchange facilitate seamless interoperability with other 3D applications. MotionBuilder is exclusively available through a subscription model, as perpetual licenses are no longer offered. Subscribing to MotionBuilder not only allows installation and usage of the three most recent versions but also permits installation on up to three computers or devices, providing flexibility for your animation projects. Embrace the full potential of MotionBuilder to elevate your animation experience and streamline your creative process.

MakeHuman is an open-source tool licensed under AGPL3 that aims to streamline the process of creating virtual humans through an intuitive Graphical User Interface, often abbreviated as GUI. This tool represents a niche within the expansive field of 3D modeling. The dedicated MakeHuman Team concentrates on this particular aspect to enhance both the quality and user-friendliness of the application. Their primary objective is to enable users to generate a diverse range of realistic virtual humans with minimal mouse clicks. Additionally, users can easily render or export these creations for integration into various projects, broadening the tool's applicability in different creative fields. Ultimately, MakeHuman aspires to democratize the creation of digital humans, making it accessible to a wider audience.