Lights, Camera, Mirrors, Action! Toolbox for 3D Reconstruction and Analysis Using a Single Camera and Planar Mirrors

Abstract

The advent of high-speed cameras being made available for commercial use has facilitated the discovery of intriguing animal behaviors. However, analyzing animal kinematics in three dimensions necessitates using several high-speed cameras, which are specialized equipment and come at a significant expense. In this study, we utilize a conventional methodology of capturing synchronized multiple views using a solitary camera and planar mirrors. We introduce a user-friendly software package that facilitates the calibration of this economical setup and enables the three-dimensional (3D) analysis of high-rate maneuvers. Within[~] 15 minutes, a single high-speed camera is calibrated and can be used to acquire 3D data. We accompany the toolbox with a detailed user guide and video tutorial (https://tinyurl.com/yckm9y6b) for ease of use. We accurately reconstruct the wing beats of multiple flies (dragonfly, butterfly).