Matchmoving SI2K Footage

[Charles Achilefu]

Would like to know if anyone has had experiences matchmoving footage from the SI2k with software like Boujou,Pftrack,syntheyes or Realviz's Matchmover.I'd be delighted to share your experiences.Cheers.

[Sergio Sanchez]

We´ve been doing a lot of tracking, we´ve been using built in trackers in AE for some simple hand held shots, and trackers of Color Correction systems with no issues. And VFX guys, are using PFTrack for a Face Replacement of an actor, they are using mostly the Geometry tracker, what I´ve noticed is that you dont have any trouble for the major part of the shots.

I only had problems, in one shot tough, but I was using C mount lens with a wide angle adapter, so I got some lens distortion. It wasnt a camera problem, the lenses we chose to use were the problem.

In PFTrack almost all the shots we used were tracked automaticaly, We had some trouble, because the actor was using a very big hat, so when the hat covered his face, the tracker lost relationship with the head geometry.

You have to mind the usual tracking considerations, no blurry images, select contrast spots to place your tracking points, and track part of shots when very fast motion in the picture.

The issues we faced were part of the testing process, and they were part of learning the correct logistics to each shot.

In my opinion PFTrack is the most powerful tracker, we chose it because all the feature set it offers, if you´re doing heavy CGI, or very complex FX shots.
If you have to do some simple stuff, AE or Combustion trackers work flawlessly too.

[Charles Achilefu]

Originally Posted by Sergio Sanchez

We´ve been doing a lot of tracking, we´ve been using built in trackers in AE for some simple hand held shots, and trackers of Color Correction systems with no issues. And VFX guys, are using PFTrack for a Face Replacement of an actor, they are using mostly the Geometry tracker, what I´ve noticed is that you dont have any trouble for the major part of the shots.

I only had problems, in one shot tough, but I was using C mount lens with a wide angle adapter, so I got some lens distortion. It wasnt a camera problem, the lenses we chose to use were the problem.

In PFTrack almost all the shots we used were tracked automaticaly, We had some trouble, because the actor was using a very big hat, so when the hat covered his face, the tracker lost relationship with the head geometry.

You have to mind the usual tracking considerations, no blurry images, select contrast spots to place your tracking points, and track part of shots when very fast motion in the picture.

The issues we faced were part of the testing process, and they were part of learning the correct logistics to each shot.

In my opinion PFTrack is the most powerful tracker, we chose it because all the feature set it offers, if you´re doing heavy CGI, or very complex FX shots.
If you have to do some simple stuff, AE or Combustion trackers work flawlessly too.

Sergio, i appreciate a lot.

[Jason Rodriguez]

Good to hear Sergio, thanks for the feedback.

Also Charles, you can view a before and after VFX shot that the guys at Atomic VFX put together in our video gallery that has tracked 3D elements integrated into a panning shot scene.