ezc3d: An easy C3D file I/O cross-platform solution for C++, Python and MATLAB
Benjamin Michaud, Mickaël Begon
Abstract
This work introduces the open source ezc3d library which provides a light and comprehensive API to easily read and write c3d files. The C++ core provides a fast file I/O library, and convenient MATLAB and Python3 interfaces are also provided so researchers can smoothly implement ezc3d in their current workflow. It supports c3d files from the main biomechanics software, namely: Vicon, Qualisys, Optotrak, BTS and XSens. In addition, since the c3d standard allows for multiple ways to store force platform data, a force platform analysis module is provided. The main feature of this module is to express forces and moments in more common reference frames-that is, expressed in the global reference frame calculated at either the origin or at the centre of pressure-so they can be directly interpreted by the user.