QuickMagic Multi-FPS MoCap Guide: Choose, Import and Retiming Correctly

QuickMagic feature and import workflow videos

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Do not mix up source, asset and runtime frame rates

1. Source-video frame timing

This describes when camera frames were recorded. A phone file can be constant-frame-rate or variable-frame-rate, even when its metadata reports an average such as 30 FPS.

2. Animation sample rate

This describes how many stored animation evaluations or keys exist per second. QuickMagic's 24/30/60/120 options belong to this category.

3. Runtime render/display FPS

This is how often a game or viewport draws a frame. Engines evaluate animation over continuous time and interpolate between stored curve samples. A 30 FPS asset can therefore play smoothly in a game that renders at 60, 90 or 120 FPS.

Original article graphics and corrections

Source VFR vs. QuickMagic fixed multi-FPS output

Detect VFR with FFmpeg

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf vfrdet -an -f null -

FFmpeg's vfrdet filter reports frames with variable and constant PTS deltas. A nonzero variable result is a reason to inspect the file—not proof that it must always be converted.

Convert a problematic phone VFR file to 30 FPS CFR

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -map 0:v:0 -map 0:a? \
  -vf "fps=30:start_time=0" \
  -c:v libx264 -crf 18 -preset medium \
  -c:a aac -b:a 192k -movflags +faststart \
  output_cfr30.mp4

FFmpeg's fps filter creates a constant output rate by dropping or duplicating frames as necessary. It preserves a stable timeline but does not perform motion-compensated reconstruction or recover detail that was not recorded.

Maya: set the time unit before retargeting or resampling

1. Open Windows → Settings/Preferences → Preferences.
2. Set the Maya Time unit to the intended asset or delivery rate.
3. Import the QuickMagic FBX.
4. Check animation duration in seconds—not only the ending frame number.
5. Characterize and retarget with HumanIK or the production rig workflow.
6. When exporting with FBX Resample All, remember that Maya uses the host application's frame-rate/time setting.

Unreal Engine: control the FBX animation sample rate

1. Import the FBX as skeletal animation and select the correct Skeleton asset.
2. Enable Import Animations.
3. Disable Use Default Sample Rate when you do not want all curves sampled at 30 FPS.
4. Set Custom Sample Rate to 24, 30, 60 or 120, or use 0 for automatic selection.
5. Import and inspect sequence duration, number of sampled keys and root motion.
6. Retarget with the IK Rig/IK Retargeter when the target skeleton differs.

Unity: verify the imported Animation Clip instead of assuming 30 FPS

1. Place the FBX in the Unity project.
2. Use the Rig tab to configure Humanoid or Generic and verify the Avatar/root node.
3. Enable Import Animation on the Animation tab.
4. Preview the clip and verify its start/end frame, duration, root transform and loop settings.
5. Review Resample Curves when the source contains Euler curves.
6. Test the clip in the Animator at different runtime rendering rates.

Unity's variable runtime timestep and fixed physics timestep are separate from the sample density of an imported animation clip. Do not use Fixed Timestep as a method for correcting the FPS of imported mocap.

Blender: set scene FPS and validate duration

1. Set Output Properties → Format → Frame Rate to the intended scene rate.
2. Import the QuickMagic FBX with Animation enabled.
3. Inspect the imported Action in the Dope Sheet and Graph Editor.
4. Confirm the duration in seconds: ending frame divided by scene FPS.
5. Retarget to the target armature.
6. Use sample/key reduction only after target contacts and motion accents are approved.

Blender defines scene duration from frame range and scene frame rate. For example, 300 frames at 30 FPS and 600 frames at 60 FPS are both ten seconds.

iClone and 3ds Max

iClone

Use Import External Motion or the applicable Reallusion characterization workflow. Select the correct source sampling behavior, inspect motion duration, then use Motion Layer and Motion Correction for target-specific cleanup.

3ds Max

Set Time Configuration deliberately before import or resampling. Use BIP for Biped, FBX/CAT Capture Animation for CAT and a custom retargeter for other rigs. Check whether changing Time Configuration rescales time or only changes display interpretation.

Resampling and conforming are different operations

Common multi-FPS problems

Production checklist

• The source frame timing has been inspected.
• Problematic VFR footage is normalized only when necessary.
• The output rate is chosen from delivery and editing requirements.
• The selected FPS is available within the plan's duration limit.
• The QuickMagic filename records FPS and root-motion behavior.
• The DCC scene's time unit is set deliberately.
• Engine import does not silently force a default sample rate.
• Duration is checked in seconds after every conversion.
• Contacts and root travel are verified after retargeting.
• Runtime render FPS is tested separately from animation quality.

Frequently asked questions

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