Camera Matching Moving images

[Matt Sugden]

I have a client who has raised the question of producing a montage animation. Essentially placing a modelled and rendered structure onto a pre recorded bit of video footage. I find this tricky enough with stills in photoshop sometimes, becuase of weird perspectives and getting the colour right, though obviously this technique is used extensively in film and tv now. Is it the sort of thing which is now in the realm of small companies and freelancers. I presume I have al the tools I need for this, but the moving camera matching terrifies me!

 

My concern, as it normally is with montages, is getting an accurate reference, matching the lens perspective and also masking on the fly seems like it could be a nightmare. Any experience of this anyone?

[mattclinch]

there are some excellent low cost solutions for this kind of thing and most offer a PLE or trial version.

 

http://www.thepixelfarm.co.uk/product.php?productId=PFTrack

 

have a play with something like PFTrack and their PLE download. I think you'll find it's not as terrifying as you might think. Lots of programs can auto generate masks and/or track a mask in post. after effects itself has a pretty decent masking capabilities.

[JonRashid]

I am just doing one of those but using 3DSMax camera tracker utility. It has worked well for me in the past but I have to admit the camera movement has not been extreme. Also it has been very easy for me to record accurately 8-10 points within the movie footage.

[Devin Johnston]

It can be difficult depending on your level of proficiency with the software and also what kind of footage you're talking about. Putting a building into a shot that is changing elevation, zooming in and out or has objects in the foreground that you have to mask out can all be very challenging. To do this you'll need tracking and compositing software and your footage needs to be of pretty good quality because the tracking software doesn't like a lot of artifacts or noise. If you haven't done it before all I can say is get ready for a pretty steep learning curve.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

I went to a Louis Marcoux session at AU that gave a solid example of using 3dsMax / MatchMover / Composite to preform a convincing composite of a model into a 3d scene.

 

http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=class&session_id=7457

 

Hint: If you can access the PowerPoint, there is a URL and password to what I believe is a video of the class. I think they allow access to the notes to the general public, but I am not 100% certain.

[Devin Johnston]

I'm going to check this out, I've tried several times to use Match Mover but never could figue out the coordinate system. The technology is so difficult to use, it's actually the same software I used almost 10 years ago with little to no improvement.

[TSuess]

"Matchmover is available to all subscription customers for 3ds Max 2010 and 3ds Max 2011. It's one of the great values added when being on subscription for 3ds Max." Good thing I have a subscription for 3dsMax 2011 Design! So frustrating...