-
Replacing an object in live action footage with 3D model
Hello everybody.
One of our clients has asked us to replace all their logos in one of their old spots with their new logo. This hasn’t been a problem when the logo is static, but the problem is that on this particular ad, the logo appears on glasses where that several kids are drinking from! Eek! This means that the camera is moving (slightly), and that the glasses pitch, bank and roll.
We’ve had some success doing this frame by frame by simply setting the footage as background, and creating a cylinder to mimic the glass’ movement. We then put the logo on our 3D cylinder, composite the shot in After Effects, and presto.
The problem is that when the glass movement is to wild, we’re having a very tough time matching the movement in 3D. When we composite, the virtual logo jumps, and doesn’t seem to stick to the glass.
So MY QUESTION is… is there any better way of doing this than what we’re trying now? If someone has gone through this process and has an easier way of accomplishing this, be it some software or simply a tutorial or methodology that could make our lives easier, it would be a GREAT help.
Thanks in advance,
RE
-
4 Replies
-
Ae’s tracking is pretty poor and would probably be just as slow as rotoring this complex stuff anyway. I would look at sub-pixel movement of 3-D animation, a 1 pixel move might be too jumpy.
If you have time, use Monet. It has a tutorial right on their website with this exact scenario, to replace a foreign pill bottle logo with a new one; blurring, rotating, transforming, no problem for planar tracking.
-
I think you could go a lot cheaper than Monet and accomplish this with MochaAE.
The track is generated in MochaAE and you would still do the compositing in AE.Joey Foreman
Editor/Animator
Nowhere Productions, Athens, GA -
Thanks for all the help guys.
I’ve taken a look at both PF Tracker and Monet, which is a bit better suited than Mocha AE for what we’re doing. The problem with Monet is that it’s basically a 2D app, and when somebody picks up a glass and drinks from it, the distortion is too great. Aslo, I’ve found that Monet is a “planar tracking” program, and the logos we’re replacing are on cylindrical glasses. We need a 3D solution.
I’ve also had a look at PFTracker, but the documentation wasn’t much help, and they have amazing total of 1 video illustrating how their program works on their site. Spending 3000 pounds on something that MIGHT work isn’t going to fly (we’d gladly drop the cash if we knew it would solve all our woes).
I’ll let you know if I find something other than hard work, and tracking by hand.
Thanks again,
RE
-
SynthEyes is a good 3d tracker for around $400.00
But I still think a planar tracker could work. They do track position, rotation, and scale – as well as corner pinning.
The trick is just having good track points to begin with.
And don’t forget that any of these applications can be demoed for free.Joey Foreman
Editor/Animator
Nowhere Productions, Athens, GA
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up