1. A method for generating motion capture animation, comprising: (a) learning a pose deformation space model from a first three-dimensional example data set, said first example data set comprises changing pose information, said learnt pose deformation space model encoding variability in pose; (b) learning a body shape deformation space model from a second three-dimensional example data set, said second example data set comprises changing pose information and changing shape information, said learnt body shape deformation space model encoding variability in pose and shape; (c) combining said learnt pose deformation space model with said learnt body shape deformation space model; and (d) given a parameter set generating a three-dimensional shape surface of a body in at least one pose and shape.