Abstract-This paper presents Palco, a prototype system
specifically designed for the production of 3D cartoon
animations. The system addresses the specific problems of
producing cartoon animations, where the main obj ective is not to
reproduce realistic movements, but rather animate cartoon
characters with predefined and characteristic body movements
and facial expressions. The techniques employed in Palco are
simple and easy to use, not requiring any invasive or complicated
motion capture system, as both body motion and facial
expression of actors are captured simultaneously, using an
infrared motion detection sensor, a regular camera and a pair of
electronically instrumented gloves. The animation process is
completely actor-driven, with the actor controlling the character
movements, gestures, facial expression and voice, all in realtime.
The actor controlled cartoonification of the captured facial and
body motion is a key functionality of Palco, and one that makes it
specifically suited for the production of cartoon animations.