An Actor is an asset used to preview motion data, and to connect motion data to a character model. It is one of three types of motion source that can be used to drive a character.

During a motion capture session, a live performer wears a set of sensors that detect and record their movements as motion data. This motion data can be attached to an Actor using a Marker set. The Actor is then linked to a Character asset so it can drive the movement of the character model.

Motion capture data driving character animation A. Optical data markers B. Actor with Marker set C. Animated character model

Actors are visually represented in MotionBuilder by a gray humanoid model with detachable body segments. This generic model lets you preview how the motion data will drive your character. You can even use the same Actor to drive more than one character in a scene.

Actor asset