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Learn to track in 5 minutes or less.



In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a project, import a clip, perform tracking, solve and orient your camera, and export your 3D scene.


If you haven't already and want to follow along, head to the PFTrack page to download a copy of the application.


Link to the footage:

by Jay's Photography



 

Step 01 - Create a project

Click 'Create New Project', enter a project name and set a project path. Click 'Create'.


 

Step 02 - Importing your clip

Double-click the 'Clip Input' and click the media import button. Browse to your clip and click open. Set the camera model to auto and return to the node panel.


 

Step 03 - Track your clip

The node tree is unique to PFTrack in matchmoving and is what makes it the standout industry choice. To create a tree quickly, we will double-click on the nodes we want to use.


So, for step three, click on the 'Tracking' tab and double-click the 'Auto Track' node.


With the Auto Track parameters open at the bottom, click Start Tracking.


 

Step 04 - Solve your camera

Enter the node panel and click on the 'Solving tab'. Double-click the camera solver and then 'Solve all'. Press play to review the result.


 

Step 05 - Orient the camera

Enter the node panel and click the 'Utilities' tab.


Select a point on the ground near the castle door and click 'Set Origin'. Use the 'Edit Mode' and the 'Rotation' controls to align the virtual horizon with the real horizon. Click and drag the scrub bar to get a better view.


Zoom into the origin point and change the edit mode to 'Scale Camera'. 


Controls - Cinema

Pan viewer - 2nd mouse button

Zoom viewer - middle mouse button


Using the size of the doorway as a reference, scale the ground plane to the correct size. In this view, each ground plane square is 1m². The approximate width of the doorway is 1m.


Now press play to view the results. Use the maximise on the viewer to view your 3D scene, and use the controls to get a better view. 


Controls - 3D Viewer

Rotate viewer - 1st mouse button

Pan viewer - 2nd mouse button

Zoom viewer - middle mouse button

 

Step 06 - Exporting your scene

Finally, add a 'Scene export' node. Select a format from one of the many available options, set your export path and file name, and click export to deliver your 3D scene.


If you are a discovery mode user, you will not be able to do this step until you subscribe.


 


Next Steps

If you're ready to continue learning and take the next steps, click the 'Help' button to access a variety of other helpful resources, including the extended learning materials, which you can also access here.


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