---
title: "Capture a take"
canonical: "https://help.vicon.com/space/ShogunMarkerless121/1253507095/Capture%20a%20take"
format: markdown
---
Vicon Shogun Markerless enables you to go straight from live capture to post processing. Data is saved as a mocap file (.*mcp*), which contains a copy of the current calibration, active subject, and real-time data, along with paths to the .*x2d* (an XML file, which contains 2D camera data) and a .*vvid* file, which contains video data. 

As soon as you’ve captured takes (.*mcp* files), you can replay and review them without leaving Shogun Markerless. For cleanup, open the .*mcp* file in Shogun Post.

> ⚠️ **Shogun Markerless versions earlier than 1.20**  
> ⚠️ Data captured with Shogun Markerless versions earlier than 1.20 cannot be reprocessed or cleaned with Shogun Post 1.20 or later.

**To capture a take:**

1. To select the **Capture Data** layout, which displays the views and panels that are used for motion capture, at the top right of the menu bar, click View settings > Macro (inline-media-image)

 and select **Capture Data**.
2. Ensure you've completed the preparations described in [Create and calibrate subjects](https://vicon-help.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ShogunMarkerless121/pages/1253507081) and [Work with props (optional)](https://vicon-help.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ShogunMarkerless121/pages/1253507086).
3. On the right of the Shogun Markerless window, ensure the **Capture** tab is selected.
4. In the **Capture Info** section, click the folder icon to the right of the **Capture Folder** field and select the Session folder that you created as described in [Create a folder hierarchy to store captures](https://vicon-help.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ShogunMarkerless121/pages/1253507126). Anything you capture from now on will be saved inside the database you created.
5. In the **Capture Name** field, enter a name that will enable you to identify the take.
6. If you will be capturing multiple takes, to append a number at the end of the capture name for each take in the sequence, ensure **Auto-increment capture name** is selected.
7. If required, add text to the **Description** field. Note that if preferred, you can add comments after capture in the Eclipse database (also accessible in Shogun Post in the **Data Management** panel).
8. Display the advanced options > Macro (inline-media-image)

 and in the **Capture** section, note that **Capture Processed Data** is selected by default.  
:check_mark: **Tip**: A fast SSD is required to capture large datasets to disk. If you're using live video, a second SSD is recommended.  
The **Capture Buffer Size** is also displayed. This represents the amount of memory allocated to Shogun Markerless capture. By default, this is set to 2 GB, which should be enough for most situations. For multiple video cameras, you may need to set it higher. We recommend that you always record your data onto a fast SSD drive.
9. Before capturing any data, you may want to reposition and/or resize the **Data Capture** panel as required (to move it, drag its title bar).
10. In the **Data Capture** panel (by default at the bottom right of the Shogun Markerless window), click **Start Capture**.
  In the menu bar at the top of the view pane, a flashing red circle and **Capture Active** are displayed.  
:check_mark: **Tip**: If possible, begin and end each take with the performer(s) in a T-pose. This can help with labeling and retargeting.  
Data is captured to disk at your source frame rate.  
If you are using an external timecode generator, in the **Data Capture** panel you can see the current timecode being received, and green icons, indicating that the system is running at genlock at the specified standard. This panel also displays any issues with the capture.  
The bar at the bottom of the **Workspace** displays red marks when the real-time system cannot keep up with the target frame rate and has to drop a frame. The percentage of dropped frames is also shown. Unless this number becomes very high (above 30%), you can continue to capture. If it is above 30%, this normally indicates that your system is out of calibration, and can't keep up with the amount of data currently being processed. In this case, you may need to re-calibrate or even upgrade your PC.  
The .*x2d* data from the cameras is also recorded. When you load the .*mcp* file in Post, .*x2d* data can be used to fix dropped frames (for more information, see *[Load mocap data files into Shogun Post](https://vicon-help.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ShogunPost121/pages/1253739058)* in *Getting started with Vicon Shogun Post*).
11. When you have captured the required take, click **Stop Capture**.  
Shogun Markerless saves the necessary files to the folder specified in the **Take Info** section (see Step 5 above).
12. Depending on whether you want to remain in Shogun Markerless to continue capturing or move to Shogun Post for cleanup and further processing, you can now do one of the following:
  - Capture another take, as described above.
  - Review the last take (or other recent takes) while remaining in Shogun Markerless. (For more information, see [MCP review in Shogun Markerless](https://vicon-help.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ShogunMarkerless121/pages/1253507096).); or
  - Load the data into Shogun Post. For information, see *[Load mocap data files into Shogun Post](https://vicon-help.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ShogunPost121/pages/1253739058)* in *Getting started with Vicon Shogun Post*.

> Macro (excerpt-include)