Planar Tracking
A tracking method that follows the motion of a plane in the footage, useful for screen replacements and effects.
What is planar tracking in DaVinci Resolve?
Planar tracking in DaVinci Resolve is a feature that allows users to track and analyze the motion of a specific area within a video frame. This is particularly useful for tasks such as rotoscoping, object removal, stabilization, and screen replacements. Unlike point tracking, which only tracks a single point, planar tracking tracks a plane or a flat surface in the footage, making it more accurate and reliable for complex tracking tasks.
DaVinci Resolve's planar tracker works by identifying and following the unique patterns of pixels within the chosen plane. It can track both rotation and translation movements, as well as changes in perspective. This makes it an invaluable tool for visual effects artists and colorists who need to accurately track the movement of objects or areas within a scene.
How to use planar tracking in DaVinci Resolve?
Planar tracking in DaVinci Resolve can be done using the Fusion page. First, you need to import your footage into the timeline and then navigate to the Fusion page. Here, you can add a Planar Tracker node to your flow. You can do this by right-clicking in the node editor, selecting 'Add Tool', then 'Tracking' and finally 'Planar Tracker'.
Once the Planar Tracker node is added, you need to select the area you want to track in your footage. You can do this by drawing a shape around the object or area you want to track using the polygon or B-spline tool in the viewer. After selecting the area, you can set the tracking method to either 'Hybrid Point/Area', 'Point', or 'Area'. Then, click on the 'Set' button next to the 'Reference Time' to set the current frame as the reference frame. Finally, click on the 'Track Forward' or 'Track Backward' button to start the tracking process.
Why is my planar tracking not working in DaVinci Resolve?
There could be several reasons why your planar tracking is not working in DaVinci Resolve. One common issue could be that the software is not properly tracking the movement of the object in the footage. This could be due to the object being too small, moving too quickly, or being obscured by other elements in the footage. In such cases, you may need to adjust the tracking parameters or manually adjust the tracking path.
Another possible issue could be related to the software itself. If DaVinci Resolve is not updated to the latest version, it might have bugs or glitches that affect its tracking capabilities. Additionally, if your computer does not meet the system requirements for DaVinci Resolve, it may struggle to perform complex tasks like planar tracking. Ensure that your software is up-to-date and that your system has the necessary specifications to run the program.
Can you do planar tracking in DaVinci Resolve free version?
Yes, you can do planar tracking in the free version of DaVinci Resolve. The software includes a powerful planar tracker that allows you to track different planes of an image, such as walls, signs, or even faces. This feature is particularly useful for tasks such as screen replacements, object removal, rotoscoping, and more.
However, it's important to note that while the free version of DaVinci Resolve does offer a wide range of features, it does have some limitations compared to the paid version, DaVinci Resolve Studio. But for planar tracking, you should be able to accomplish this task effectively with the free version.
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