Lighting Issue with video

[Shawn Rosenblatt]

Thanks Dave,

I won’t be able to reshoot it. Can you suggest a quick way of animating a mask? Do I just add a motion tracker?

Thanks

[Shawn Rosenblatt]

[Shawn Rosenblatt]

Thanks so much for your help Dave!

[Steve Roberts]

Couldn’t have said it better myself!

But regarding roto, I have to be the broken record here:

1) study the footage carefully before you crack open the pen tool. Make note of the points in time where the to-be-masked thing’s shape changes direction or speed. For example, if something moves to the left, then up, mark where it changes direction. If it gets bigger, then smaller, mark that change. A marker on the layer should do it.

2) If something (like a head) just changes position, not shape, draw a mask for the head alone. Set a mask shape/path key at one of the points I mentioned. Move to the next point and move the mask — check the manual for that. Note: if things change shape/direction at different times, you may need to set up null layers (one for each thing to be masked) and mark those lest you get confused with a whole buncha markers on one layer.

3) Rotoing with a paintbrush sucks. Too much jitter. It’s a last resort. The pen tool and masks are better because AE automatically interpolates the position of mask vertices for you. Compare this: moving a mask over 30 frames, versus painting every frame for 30 frames. Yecch. I just masked a tree branch in a tracking shot. Drew a mask once, then moved it. Piece of cake.

4) Note: if you rotate a mask, the vertices move in a straight line. It’s just the way it works. Sometimes Smart masking helps.

5) Use different colors for each mask outline. Check the manual.

6) Feather the mask a pixel or two.

Hope that helps.

[Shawn Rosenblatt]

It definitely helps. Thanks Steve