Camera tracking is a technique used in visual effects, also known as Matchmoving. It involves analyzing the motion including the position, scale and rotation of a real-world camera and using that information to composite computer-generated elements into the scene. This technique ensures that the movement of (CG) Computer Graphics elements matches the motion of the camera making the scene look realistic. Specialized software is required to identify the correct reference points in the scene and create a virtual 3D camera that matches the movement of the real-world camera. Camera tracking can be used for multiple purposes such as compositing, special effects, Match move work and creating virtual backgrounds.
Why is Tracking used in VFX?
We can use tracking in Variety of purposes. The main purpose of tracking is to integrate CG Elements into live – action footage. This can be achieved by matching the movement of the Cg elements to the movement of the camera in the live- action footage.
There are several specific reasons why tracking is used in VFX. One such purpose is for Motion Graphics. Tracking can be used to add motion graphics elements, such as text and logos, that appear to be part of the environment in the live footage.
Another purpose of tracking is for Stabilization. It can be used to stabilize shaky footage, making it smoother and easier to watch.
Set extensions are also achievable through tracking. In some cases, the actual set used during filming may not be large enough to create the desired visual effect. By tracking the camera movement of the scene, a 3D model of the set can be created or extended easily.
Finally, tracking can be used to add CG elements to live-action footage. By tracking the camera movement and objects in the scene, CG elements can be seamlessly placed into the footage, appearing as if they are actually part of the real environment. This is typically used for adding Explosions, particles, vehicles, or any other objects that may be impossible to film.
How does Camera Tracking work in VFX?
Acquisition – first record the live-action footage using a good camera. Make sure footage should be high quality and shot from a tripod or gimble or any kind of stable platform to ensure that there is minimum camera movement or minimum camera motion blur.
Tracking – One way to make it easier for software to track the camera movement in VFX is to add tracking points while recording the video. These tracking points are then used as special markers that are identified in the footage to determine the camera’s position and orientation. The markers can be small dots, extra pixels or features in the scene such as building corners or edges of objects. Analyzing the movement of these tracking markers over time helps blend computer-generated elements with live-action footage to create seamless VFX shots. 
Solving – After identifying the tracking markers in the footage, the camera movement is analyzed and solved to determine its position and orientation for each frame. This complex process is carried out by software algorithms that analyze the movement of the tracking markers over time.
Integration – After successfully tracking and solving camera movement. The next step is to match CG elements into the live-action footage. This is achieved by utilizing the camera’s movement data including position and rotation to properly orient the CG elements in 3D space and seamlessly blend them with the original scene.
Rendering – The final step is to composite and render the scene which combines live-action footage with CG elements. This can be a little time consuming process as the complete scene needs to be rendered and the rendering time will depend on your computer’s configuration.
What are the things that need to be considered while recording a video to make camera tracking easier?
- Using a tripod or a stable platform is recommended as unnecessary or fast camera movements can make camera tracking difficult and sometimes cause it to fail. Using a stable platform ensures that the camera captures less motion blur and avoids unwanted movement making it easier to track the camera movement.
- Good lighting is essential for camera tracking. Sufficient lighting allows the camera to capture texture details, making tracking markers easier to identify during post-production. Poor lighting or harsh lighting conditions can make it difficult for the camera to capture these details which can result in a more challenging tracking process
- Using high-contrast tracking markers is important for camera tracking. Good markers that are easily identifiable and trackable must be used. High-contrast markers such as black tape or white dots can make tracking easier and more accurate.
- Motion blur can make it difficult for the camera to capture details and can cause tracking to fail due to camera movement. It also makes tracking markers harder to identify. To avoid this, it is best to avoid fast camera movements or use a higher shutter speed to reduce motion blur.
- Using high-resolution footage is important as it provides more accurate details and textures which makes tracking markers easier to identify during post-production.
Why are some shots easily tracked in VFX, while others are not?
- Complexity of the scene – If the scene is complex, it can affect camera tracking. A scene with many objects or moving elements can be challenging to track accurately. Similarly, scenes with repetitive patterns or symmetrical features can confuse tracking software.
- Lens distortion – Lens distortion is a problem that arises in camera tracking specifically in shots that use wide angle lenses or fisheye lenses. Distortion can affect the accuracy of camera tracking and make it harder to match CG elements into the scene.
- Tracker placement – The success of camera tracking also depends on the placement of the tracker. Markers that are blurred, too small, too close to each other or the same color as the background can make it more difficult for tracking software to find them accurately.
- Quality of footage – The quality of footage matters in tracking. Footage that has good lighting, sharpness, and contrast or minimum reflections makes it easier for tracking software to find tracking points and accurately track camera movement. On the other hand, poor quality footage with motion blur, noise, and low contrast can make tracking difficult.
- Camera movement – If the camera movement is shaky or fast or if the shots change rapidly it can be difficult to track. On the other hand slow pan or tilt camera movements make it easier to track the camera.
What are things to remember when compositing a 3D model in a tracked camera?
Lighting – The lighting of the 3D model matches the lighting in the live-action footage, including the colors of the light sources and shadows cast by objects in the scene.
Reflections – When compositing a scene make sure that the 3D model reflects the environment and objects in the live-action footage. This can include reflections of nearby objects, the environment or the characters in the scene.
Camera perspective – Both the perspective of the 3D model and the live-action footage should match including the position, rotation and movement of the virtual camera created during the camera tracking process.
Shadows – Adding shadows to the 3D model can make it blend better with the live-action footage. Shadows can make the object look more realistic and anchored in the scene.
Depth of field – Using depth of field to add blur to the scene can make it look more cinematic and realistic. Depth of field separates the foreground and background of a shot when the camera focuses on a specific object.
What are some of the different types of tracking commonly used in VFX?
Point tracking – Point tracking is used for tracking the movement of individual points or markers in a shot over time. It is typically used for small-scale movements such as tracking small objects.
Planar tracking – Planar tracking is useful when tracking the movement of an entire flat surface in a shot such as a floor, wall, or skin texture. This method is often used for compositing graphics or text onto surfaces in a shot.
Object tracking – Object tracking is used to track the movement of a specific object in a shot such as a car, a person or a moving object.
Camera tracking – Camera tracking or matchmoving is a process used to track the movement and position of the camera in a moving shot. This method creates a virtual 3D camera through a tracking process that matches the movement of the real-world camera allowing for seamless integration of a 3D object into live-action footage.
Motion capture – Motion capture is a method used to track the movement of actors or objects using specialized sensors or cameras. It’s often used for creating realistic character animation or for capturing complex movements that are difficult to track using traditional methods.
Facial tracking – Facial tracking is used to track facial expressions like the eyes, nose and mouth. This creates realistic facial animation or adds special effects like makeup or prosthetics.
3D tracking – 3D tracking tracks the movement and position of objects in a 3D environment. It’s commonly used in virtual reality or augmented reality applications.
What is camera tracking software in VFX?
PFTrack – A comprehensive software that can track camera movement and match it to 3D objects and planes.
SynthEyes – A tool that offers automatic and manual tracking options, as well as stabilization and VR integration.
3DEqualizer – A high-end software with advanced features for solving complex camera shots.
Boujou – A user-friendly software that offers automatic tracking and 3D point cloud generation.
Mocha Pro – A planar tracking tool that works for both 2D and 3D tracking and includes object removal and rotoscoping features.
Blender – A free and open-source 3D software that includes camera tracking and other VFX features.
Difference between 2D vs 3D tracking?
The difference between 2D and 3D tracking is the number of dimensions tracked. In 2D tracking only the position and rotation of an object in two dimensions are tracked. On the other hand 3D tracking tracks the position, rotation and scale of an object in three dimensions.
In 2D tracking the motion of an object is tracked in two dimensions x-axis and y-axis of the image plane. 2D tracking is useful for screen replacement, stabilizing footage and text tracking.
In 3D tracking the motion of an object is tracked in all three dimensions X, Y and Z axes. This type of tracking is utilized for challenging or complex shots such as object and camera tracking. With 3D tracking the position, rotation and scale of an object can be tracked allowing for accurate placement and compositing of 3D models.
What is Match move in VFX?
In visual effects, matchmoving is a process where a live-action camera is tracked and its movements are applied to a virtual camera. This virtual camera is then used to composite 3D models into the scene matching the movements of the CG elements to the live-action footage.
How to use Camera tracking in After Effects?
To start camera tracking in Adobe After Effects follow these steps.
- Import your footage in after effects using the file>import menu even you can easily drag and drop footage directly.
- Select the footage layer in the Timeline panel and choose Animation and click track Camera from the Layer menu.
- Camera tracker panel showing on the right hand side then click to analyze option so the tracking starts and analyzes your footage.
- Once the analyzing is complete After Effects generate tracking data.
- Apply the tracking data to a new 3D camera layer in After Effects which will match the movement and position of the real-world camera.
- Import any 3D elements you want to match into the shot and position them in 3D space using the 3D camera layer as a reference.
How to use Camera tracking in After Effects?
Here are steps to do camera tracking in nuke
- Use Read node to import your Footage.
- Create a Camera node in Nuke which will represent the virtual camera that matches the movement of the real-world camera used to capture the footage.
- Use Nuke’s camera tracker tool which is located in the 3D tab to track features in the footage and generate tracking data.
- Apply the tracking data to the Camera node to match its movement and position to the real-world camera.
- Import any 3D elements you want to integrate into the shot and position them in 3D space using the Camera node as a reference.