Tracking Lessons Needed

TwinCities · Jul 4, 2013

For some ungodly reason I can't get tracking down. I've been using position mapping terribly ever since I can remember - I just can't figure it out. I really need some help here, like a good, detailed tutorial on tracking.
Thanks.

Jeff Troiano · Jul 4, 2013

Which programs are you using? I've done some research into tracking and if we know what you're using, would be easier to recommend some tutorials.

Zensteve · Jul 4, 2013

Here's a good one for After Effects, for the basics:

http://www.videocopilot.net/basic/tutorials/05.Motiontracking/

Is that even the kind of tracking you're looking for, though? What are you using, and what are you trying to do?

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Jeff Troiano · Jul 4, 2013

Here's one for tracking in Blender. Some of the options have changed, but still a relevant tutorial.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVPcT0dJmoY

Jeff Troiano · Jul 4, 2013

On a side note, I've upgraded to Adobe Creative Cloud. And didn't realize until earlier this week that After Effects has Cinema 4D Lite included with it. Tracking footage and transferring camera data C4D lite is so easy. Have only played with creating 3D text, and its pretty cool.

Thread high jacking over!

knightly · Jul 5, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HvLTJ4Zgo0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP2g-V_TU1s

knightly · Jul 5, 2013

And here's a piece I put together using a 2D track to "steal" handheld camera motion from a shot and applying it to another shot to get more realistic shaky cam effects than the mechanical look of the "Wiggle" command in After Effects.

I used Shake for mine (because that's what I have)... but the concepts are the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSiFmEDl_gY

TheArtist · Jul 5, 2013

Not sure it's relevant here Knightly but interesting still. Will defintely go for your technique if I need to give a handheld feel to a stable locked footage.

TwinCities · Jul 5, 2013

I am looking to learn how to track in After Effects. I know I can use Mocha and the built in tracker in cs4 but I'm not great at using AE's tracker, and I can not use Mocha's.

knightly · Jul 5, 2013

It specifically uses a 2D track to grab the motion out of the one clip and apply it to another... so it's almost semi related, just more of what's possible to do with tracking data.

I had seen someone do a decent CG alien invasion, but the hand held motion applied to the frame to make it look hand held gave it all away. This allows you to get a plate shot that is really easy to composite into with fixed masks that don't have changing lens distortion throughout the shot... but then give it that handheld look afterwards in a convincing manner.

knightly · Jul 5, 2013

ZS's video copilot link is the one I would have started with if he hadn't already done so.