Xsens MVN Animate
Xsens MVN Animate is motion capture software that streams or exports captured movement to 3D software for entertainment work.
What Xsens MVN Animate is
Xsens MVN Animate is motion capture software that streams or exports captured movement to 3D software for entertainment work. Its editions are designed for different workflows: Animate Live handles live streaming and broadcast, Animate Export is for one-actor capture and export, and Animate Pro is for high-performance work and complex productions. Actor limits are two for Live, one at a time for Export and four for Pro; On-Body Recording supports unlimited actors. Listed export formats include FBX, BVH, C3D and MVNX, with MP4 also listed for Export. Integrations and compatibility options include Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, Houdini, Maya, Manus, Faceware and StretchSense. Xsens says its updated motion engine produces cleaner data and reduces cleanup work. Supported platforms are Windows 11 64-bit and Linux Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS. The listed subscription is $3,790 a year; specific pricing varies by configuration and term and requires a quote. Three-, six- and twelve-month subscriptions are listed.
Good
- Live, Export and Pro editions cover distinct workflows
- Exports include FBX, BVH, C3D and MVNX
- Pro supports up to four actors
- Integrates with Unreal Engine and Unity
- Supports real-time output and cleanup tools
Watch out
- Specific pricing requires a quote
- Windows and Linux platforms are listed
Who it suits
It suits teams and professionals in game development, VFX and film, virtual production, VTube and streaming, broadcasting or live entertainment. The listed editions address live, one-actor export and high-performance production workflows.
Verdict
Xsens MVN Animate offers multiple capture workflows, export formats and integrations, with actor capacity varying by edition. Check the edition, platform and quoted subscription terms against your production needs.
Plans and prices
From Xsens MVN Animate's own pricing page, checked 20 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Animate Live | Priced on request | Live performance and real-time virtual production · Live streaming and broadcast |
| Animate Export | Priced on request | 1 actor at a time |
| Animate Pro | Priced on request | Up to 4 actors |
| Xsens Animate Live / Export / Pro | $3,790 a year | Live, Export, and Pro licenses · 3-, 6-, and 12-month subscriptions listed · Quote required for specific pricing · Software subscription starts at $3,790; exact price varies by configuration and term. |
The facts
Each one read from Xsens MVN Animate's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Actor capacity
- The feature table lists support for up to four actors in Animate Pro, with unlimited actors when using On-Body-Recording.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Actor limits
- The feature comparison lists up to two actors for Live, one actor at a time for Export, and up to four actors for Pro, with unlimited actors using On-Body Recording.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The Xsens Indie Program is described for independent professionals, small studios, and game developers, while the product page also describes workflows for AAA studios.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Awinda setup
- Animate includes experimental Auto Sensor Mapping for Awinda, which allows sensors to be placed on any designated spot.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Download and support
- Xsens provides the latest Animate software, release notes, manuals, integration plugins, and documentation through its software downloads page.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Experimental feature
- Auto Sensor Mapping for Awinda is identified as an experimental feature.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- The product page lists FBX, BVH, C3D, and MVNX exports.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Exports
- The comparison lists FBX and BVH local exports for Live and FBX, BVH, C3D, and MP4 exports for Export.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Hardware compatibility
- Xsens says Animate works with Xsens Link, Xsens Awinda, and Awinda Starter motion capture hardware.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The product page names Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, Houdini, Maya, Manus, Faceware, and StretchSense among its integrations and compatibility options.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The page describes use in game development, VFX and film, virtual production, VTube and streaming, broadcasting, and live entertainment.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Interface
- The software page lists an updated interface, dark mode, and changeable background colors for chroma keying.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License options
- Animate Live is for live streaming and broadcast, Animate Export is for one-actor capture and export, and Animate Pro is for high-performance work and complex productions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License terms
- The page lists subscription options of 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years, but does not display prices in the opened page.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Motion engine
- The product page describes male and female anatomy models and an improved motion engine with spine and proportion updates.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Plugin downloads
- The software page lists Animate plugins for Unreal Engine 5.4–5.7, Blender, Maya, MotionBuilder, and Unity, with the Unity plugin marked Beta.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Xsens says MVN applications send anonymous usage statistics using a random ID and provide an option to opt out when the application opens.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy and security
- Xsens says it uses reasonable physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard information collected online, while noting it cannot guarantee that loss, misuse, or alteration will not occur.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Xsens Animate is motion capture software for professional animation, game development, VFX, film, virtual production, streaming, and live performance workflows.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- Xsens's privacy policy says it uses reasonable physical, electronic, and managerial safeguards, but does not guarantee that loss, misuse, or alteration will never occur.checked 4 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2000checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Enschede, Netherlandschecked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platform
- The MVN user manual describes Xsens Software, including Animate, as a 64-bit application for Windows 10/11.checked 4 Oct 2026
Money
- Price terms
- Xsens says software subscriptions are yearly and also available for three or six months; specific pricing depends on configuration and requires contacting Xsens.checked 4 Oct 2026
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