Object tracking

Object tracking can be thought of as the other side of camera tracking. Instead of reconstructing how the camera moves through a scene, the focus is on the movement of a specific object within it.

In many shots, objects are tracked together with the camera and surrounding scene so that everything shares the same 3D space. In others, only a particular moving element, product or part of an object needs its own solve. This can include vehicles, props, screens, machinery and product shots, as well as cases where an existing object needs to be modified or partially replaced, such as updated body panels, headlights or other components on a filmed vehicle.

Things get more interesting when both the camera and object are moving, when multiple objects interact within the same shot, or when several moving elements need to be reconstructed as part of a more complex FX setup. Partial occlusions, reflections, motion blur and limited surface detail can make the problem less cooperative. In those cases, camera and object motion need to work together while still making sense in the reconstructed scene.