3D Camera Tracking

CarlJ · Jun 6, 2014

This and every post after only applies to After Effects CS6 & CC.

Pay particular attention to the location of the bullseye, and it's orientation to the building. I selected 4 tracking points that I knew to hold a good track. I selected the tracking points individually by holding down the shift key and selecting them one at a time. Once I had selected 3 points the bullseye appeared, but the orientation didn't really lock in until I had reached the 4th point.

Basically what's going on here is that After Effects has created a 3D environment in relationship to the video footage, and the bullseye is reflecting a position in relation to the building right down to Z space.

The next step will be for us to create a null and camera. All of the positional information that we had in the bullseye is now contained within the null, and by using a method called "shift parenting" we're going to align our text with extreme precision.

CarlJ · Jun 6, 2014

I'm sorry for this wall of text:

We've been given unprecedented access, and the mods have given permission for me to reveal that this is in fact Phantom Pilots HQ in downtown Manhattan. This is with the understanding that you can all be trusted, and that the other side of the building says "Come Get Some". No one knows what that means...at least no one living.

We created our null and our camera, now we need to add a text layer and make it 3D. With the text layer selected, open the drop down parenting controls, and while holding down shift choose "tracking null 1". You have now locked that text to the exact location of the tracking null.

Open the orientation for the tracking null and zero the Z space value. After Effects does not have unified 3D that is consistent even with itself. You may have to tweak your rotation a bit as you scrub thru your clip, but you should have a rock solid track for your text.

I should also add that you make all scale adjustments on the text layer, and all orientation and rotation on the tracking null.

Next up, applying Element 3D, but tomorrow.

CarlJ · Jun 6, 2014

You can view the tracked footage here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvLxZDj ... e=youtu.be

And I apologize in advance I was drunk and high when I took that footage, and a plane almost ran into the P in Phantom due to it's high altitude. I was reckless putting it there.

I have no idea how it was recorded, without doubt from a helicopter, but clearly the gimbal operator got drunk and high with me.

Luap · Sep 23, 2014

Bringing up an old thread but thought I'd share some 3d tracking from Phantom2 Vision footage:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQLK1a5TjlE[/youtube]

DBeard · Sep 23, 2014

AE 3d Tracker is very good for being inbuilt.
I've also used a couple 3rd party trackers in AE, but they just aren't worth the price anymore with it being inbuilt.

chapsrlz · Sep 24, 2014

djidan said:
The following video may be of interest to you. I applied the 3D camera tracking using Adobe After Effects along with Adobe Premiere software.

http://youtu.be/yGh276HyB8k

wow
didnt know thats possible with after effects/premier.

poostik · Jan 3, 2015

Bumping this old thread . . . Not even sure if you guys are still around.

I used AE CS5 and the camera tracker plugin . . .

How do I get the text to be more stationary?

Have a lot more researching to do.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOa_G80NsAU[/youtube]

Jebus · Jan 4, 2015

I love the color in that clip poostik. I've only attempted tracking once so far and ran into the same problem as you. I just couldn't get it to 'stick' perfectly. You can see my attempt in the opening shot of this video:

http://vimeo.com/111817865

I should have mentioned that this was done with the AE CS6 camera tracker as well.

poostik · Jan 5, 2015

Cool vid, Jebus.
Maybe someone will answer us in here. Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure it out.

regarding the color... https://www.hyfx.tv/hysky

CarlJ · Feb 6, 2015

poostik said:
Cool vid, Jebus.
Maybe someone will answer us in here. Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure it out.

regarding the color... https://www.hyfx.tv/hysky

Try changing the anchor point of your text to bottom, of course the location would depend on how you have the text inserted into the scene.

This really helps to stabilize the text so it doesn't jump around.

Jebus · Apr 15, 2015

CarlJ said:
Try changing the anchor point of your text to bottom, of course the location would depend on how you have the text inserted into the scene.

This really helps to stabilize the text so it doesn't jump around.

Wow... I just saw this reply now CarlJ. Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to try it out next time.