This paper examines the transformative potential of markerless motion capture in streamlining the animation of 3D assets and its anticipated advancements in animation and special effects workflows. Unlike traditional marker-based systems that require laborious marker placement on an actor’s body, markerless systems leverage computer vision algorithms to track and interpret movements directly from video footage, eliminating the need for physical markers. This shift reduces time and costs associated with marker placement while providing a more natural and fluid motion capture experience. The markerless approach, derived from sports science where high-precision motion capture and inverse kinematics are crucial, has addressed issues like key point occlusion, achieving near-parity with traditional methods. The research delves into challenges specific to animation and effects, such as ensuring compatibility with diverse software, correcting animation collisions, and creating animation assets from object motion capture. The paper assesses how markerless technology integrates into current workflows and forecasts its potential for further enhancement as AI capabilities evolve. In conclusion, markerless motion capture represents a significant leap forward, automating rigging, enabling real-time animation, and ultimately improving the quality of 3D animation and special effects in the film industry.