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WHY Your 3D Camera Tracking FAILS… 7 Things You SHOULD DO

Jordy Vandeput 175K views

Learn how to use the 3D Camera Tracking tool in Adobe After Effects. Improve your Tracking and visual effects with 7 Personal Tips & Tricks.

Tracking in VFX

I think we can say with almost 100% certainty that tracking is one of the most important aspects of Visual effects. Every big Hollywood movie ever made used a form of tracking. From removing a mustache from Superman's face to tracking a simple poster on a wall.

Superman Failed Mustache Removal on the Right
Superman's Failed Mustache Removal on the Right

Without tracking it wouldn't be possible, because otherwise your added objects like the poster would float in space. And of course it wouldn't look that realistic. I think everybody would feel robbed if they saw all the explosions of Michael Bay slide over the ground.

3D camera Tracking

As we all know, Hollywood uses super fancy and complicated systems to do all their tracking. Like entire body suits to do a motion capture of a person. Or maybe they are tracking the camera with an high end system transferring all the motion data to 3D software, making it super easy to add 3D assets later on.

Motion Capture of a Persons Face in Avatar
Motion Capture of a Persons Face in Avatar

Now I'm don't really have an high end tracking system laying around. So for my the best way to track my camera movement is with the 3D camera tracker from After Effects. It can really do some powerful stuff and give awesome result.

However like most technology stuff, it can fail sometimes. But don't worry, we got you. Through our experience and all the failure we endured, we figured out a couple of great tricks to improve your tracking and create cool VFX.

Storyblocks

Big thanks to Storyblocks for the support on this video. Their community driven library always help us to find something perfect every VFX shot. Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today.

Jordy Vandeput

Founder of Cinecom · 2.75M+ subscribers on YouTube

Jordy Vandeput is a Belgian filmmaker who has taught practical filmmaking to millions through Cinecom. He breaks professional techniques down into clear, repeatable steps you can use on your very next project.

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