Matchmoving and Character insertion

A tracking study using Syntheyes. The 3D character is the Jolly Troll. This was mostly a study in getting the lighting of the CG to match the backplate.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• syntheyes
• matchmoving
• sculpture
• fx
• tracking
• jolly
• troll
• 3D
• animation
• effects

[carlchristophn]

Can this all be done in Maya or do you need to export to Aftereffects? Also do you know if Maya will include mudbox modeler after the first of the new '09 year. Thanks

-Carl

[pixelking]

I believe the answer is yes. You could you may live to track the footage and insert the object. But it's well known that the tracking software in maya is basic and has no real tools for tweaking a track. As far as Mudbox, dpn't know. we can only hope.

[jimp1102]

Nice. Thanks for all the help!

[pixelking]

The only thing you have to do is to make sure the first frame lines up. When I worked on an HBO job it took me awhile to figure it out. Make sure the FRAME RATE is consistent in both programs. You may have to SLIDE the footage up or back one frame.

[pixelking]

amen to that! Thanks for helping others here with what Syntheyes can do. I believe that the price of Boujou is WAY too much.

[jimp1102]

I use AE as well, so Syntheyes works well with AE? I heard it was not just an import op but required extra steps. True ? Thanks for the info so far!

[pixelking]

Steps are:

Shoot, Track (Syntheyes), use or make 3d model, composite in editing software (After Effects), You can do it all in a 3D package but you have better control with an editing program.

[perrin26]

I've been using Boujou for years. I've done a few tests, and see options in Syntheyes that don't exist in Boujou. Stabilization of shots with plate export. On top of preprocessing and defining the area of interest for tracking, you can track backwards.

Appending frames is nice. The ability to bring in additional frames at the beginning and end would've been handy in production where directors keep changing their minds on how long a shot is.

Distortion in Boujou seems easier.

[pixelking]

I thought the same. The interface of Boujou is much better. I wish Syntheyes would do the same but since it's one guy who is making it I guess he not the best at interfaces. It's like seeing a crappy looking house but the inside looks like a palace.

[lilradford]

Really? I guess I haven't looked into it too closely so I can't say too much but that surprises me that a $400 program has more calibration tools than an $10,000 program? The rule is usually, you get what you pay for, but I guess that isn't ALWAYS the case. Interesting.