Method and system for distributing captured motion data over a network

A method for receiving motion data over a network and presenting it on a client device, the method comprising:

• receiving from a server as separate data items model data representing skeletal geometry and texture of an actor and motion data representing the position and attitude of an actor at a first time and a second time;
• manipulating the model data according to the motion data to thereby reproduce the motion of the actor;
• and
• presenting the manipulated model on a client device.

A method for distributing motion data over a network, the motion data representing an actor in motion, the method comprising:

• generating a model of an actor comprising the skeletal geometry and texture of the actor and motion data representing the position and attitude of an actor at a first time and a second time;
• transmitting from a server to the client as separate data items the model and motion data;
• the client receiving the model and motion data;
• the client determining based upon the motion data how to manipulate the model;
• and
• the client presenting the manipulated model.

A system for preparing motion data for distribution over a network to one or more clients, the motion data containing the motion of one or more actors, the system comprising:

• a positional data capturing system for capturing motion data representing a position and attitude of the actor at a first time and a second time;
• a model storage system for storing models of the actors, the models comprising the skeletal geometry and texture of the actors;
• and
• a transmission system for transmitting the model in association with corresponding motion data for presentation by one or more clients.