Create a path over an aerial video of mountains?

[Jim Dodson]

Drawing a path over some video is as simple as crating a Mask using bezier points to make the shape and curves you desire then adding the “Generate–>stroke” effect to that mask.

It only gets complicated if there is motion in your video — if that is the case you would need to motion track your footage to keep your stroked mask locked to your footage…

So question 1:

Is there motion in your video?

Question #2:

Am I understanding your needs correctly?

Jim Dodson

8 Core Intel — Mac – OSX

[Susan Dempster]

Hi Dave,

Thanks so much for the response!

This isn’t really a situation of “Fix it in Post”… it’s more like one idea that morphed into another…

The initial project was to have an aerial fly-over of the proposed pathway. (The camera view isn’t entirely fixed, but for the most part, it does follows the curvature of the path. The angle is looking forward and slightly down.)

Initially, the client could view the footage next to GPS data in Google Earth and make observations about the impact the path would have on the geography. That worked as intended. Now, however, the desire is to have the pathway overlaid onto the video… so the client doesn’t have to keep going back and forth between the footage and the Mapping software.

If this is even possible (esp for a rookie!) what kind of time-frame would I be considering… in relative terms?

[Susan Dempster]

Hi Jim,

Yes, there is constant motion in the video. It was shot from a helicopter moving forward over the proposed path at roughly 50 mph. The landscape is constantly changing due to the perspective (for example, the hills get bigger as you get closer, and so on.)

Please forgive my ignorance – I’ve only dabbled in AE… If I can determine that my desired outcome is actually possible, I realize I’ll need to spend a lot of time learning how to use the software better…

[Susan Dempster]

Thanks, Dave! I appreciate your honesty!

[Eric Holzapfel]

Hello Jim,

This is what I want to do. Draw a path, but over a non-moving image. You mention bezier points.
Is this in FCP or AE or Motion or?? I am using FCP to create a travel film (stills and video), and want
to trace over roads on a map.

Thanks for great forum support,

Eric
Charybdis and Scylla Productions

Final Cut Pro, Adobe After Effects, Photoshop

[Jim Dodson]

I was suggesting you use bezier points in After Effects.

Jim Dodson

8 Core Intel — Mac – OSX