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Minimal Hand

Minimal Hand is an open-source Python computer-vision project that estimates 3D hand pose and motion from a monocular RGB camera. DetNet predicts joint locations from an image, and IKNet estimates joint rotations from those locations. The repository provides pretrained models and a webcam demo; it does not include training code.

Explore the practical guide ↓

Independent OpenViST project profile, based on linked sources.

Minimal Hand — OpenViST project profile in AI Models.
OpenViST project illustration. See the linked sources for product details.
Understand the project

Practical overview

When it fits

Use it when a project needs hand-pose estimates from a single color camera and can work with the supplied pretrained networks and MANO asset.

Who it is for

  • Developers prototyping webcam-based hand tracking for interactive applications.
  • Computer-vision practitioners integrating hand-pose estimation into a project.
  • Creators exploring hand-motion input for games, desktop interfaces or 3D animation.

Documented uses

  • Estimate hand-joint locations from a monocular RGB image.
  • Convert predicted joint locations into joint rotations.
  • Use pretrained models in a webcam demo or as a component in another project.
Before you choose

Requirements & limits

The repository is public and carries an MIT license. The documented workflow uses Python dependencies, a separately obtained MANO model and pretrained checkpoint files.

  • The supplied models are pretrained; training code is not included.
  • The demo requires MANO model preparation as well as checkpoint placement and configuration.
  • The README reports that some simple poses may fail if they were not represented in training data.
  • The documented demo expects a right hand in front of the camera and flips the input internally.
  • The README suggests framing the hand image about 1.3 times larger than the hand bounding box for better accuracy.

Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.

Source-based practical guide

Prepare Minimal Hand models for webcam use

Set up the MANO hand model and pretrained networks required before using the webcam demo.

Before you start

  • Install the dependencies listed in requirements.txt using pip or conda.
  • Obtain and unzip the MANO model; access to the left-hand model is required.
  • Download the pretrained network model archive.

Steps

  1. Set OFFICIAL_MANO_PATH in config.py to the left-hand MANO model.

  2. Run the command below to create the converted model at config.HAND_MESH_MODEL_PATH.

    Documented command
    python prepare_mano.py

  3. Download the pretrained model archive and place detnet.ckpt.* in model/detnet and iknet.ckpt.* in model/iknet.

  4. Check config.py to confirm the required files are present.

Expected outcome

The converted MANO model and pretrained DetNet and IKNet files are prepared for the project.

Guide limitations

  • This guide covers preparation only; the documented webcam demo is a separate next stage.
  • Training code is not included in the repository.
Documentation 1 ↗
Source-based practical guide

Run the Minimal Hand webcam demo

Use the prepared project to estimate hand pose from webcam input.

Before you start

  • Complete the documented MANO and pretrained-network preparation.
  • Have a webcam available.

Steps

  1. Run the command below.

    Documented command
    python app.py

  2. Place your right hand in front of the camera; the left-hand pretrained model internally flips the input.

  3. For potentially better accuracy, aim for an image about 1.3 times larger than the hand bounding box; the README notes that a good bounding box may improve accuracy.

  4. Press ESC to quit.

Expected outcome

The webcam demo processes hand input using the project's pretrained hand-pose models.

Guide limitations

  • The model may fail on some simple poses that were not represented in its training data.
  • The suggested image-to-hand-box size is an ideal, not a guaranteed accuracy result.
Documentation 1 ↗
Evidence and transparency

Sources & review

Official repository ↗
Source record details
Source availability
Active
Sources checked
17 October 2026
Original website title
CalciferZh/minimal-hand · Official homepage title · retained in its source language
How we review sourcesSuggest a correction

Related options

Minimal-IK — An optimization-based inverse-kinematics solver listed by the project as an alternative to IKNet.