Rotoscoping technique

Apple Motion

Rotoscoping technique

Posted by Duane Giliam on January 21, 2011 at 1:12 pm

Hi There

Im doing a demo video for a DJ.
We shot some footage in a club.
My goal is to have two layers of video
The one being of him cut out from the background and then animate effects using the paint tool to happen “between him and the background”

Are there any hints on how to rotoscope using Motion effectivly.

After going through the motion help file.
I’m trying to make multiple masks on the same image and then animate them to follow different parts of a person.
Ie

a mask for the head
a mask for one arm
etc.
I’m having fun and games trying to get it right my concern is how do you avoid the edges of the masks “Bubbleing” [the masks jitter to much]
Do I reduce the number of control points and try and maintain as much control using the bezier handles rather?

I’m just wondering if there are any methods you guys could impart
or kick me off in the right direction.

Thanks

Duane
http://www.leapyearfilm.co.za

Stephen Smith replied 15 years, 2 months ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
4 Replies

Jeff Greenberg
January 21, 2011 at 2:42 pm

Google Scott Squires. He’s the master of this sort of work (and used to have an application called Commotion.)

Basically you want to build even simpler shapes – one for the head, one for each ear, one for the torso…basically overlapping shapes. Each shape should have the least amount of control points as possible. Try working every 5th frame or so.

Oh yeah, rotoscoping in general sucks.

Best,

Jeff G

Apple Master Trainer
Avid Cert. Instructor DS/MC
Avid & Color Videos Vasst.com
Compressor Essentials Lynda.com
Stephen Smith
January 21, 2011 at 2:50 pm

It sounds like you have it figured out. With hair be sure to add a feather to the mask. Also, Motion can track the control points for you so you don’t have to do it “every 5 frames” or so if you like. Unfortunately depending on the subject it can be easier to do the manual way. Check out my Kinetic Typography tutorial and it has an ad at the end about how my training dvd covers that subject. Or you can click here to learn more about Creative COWs Moving with Motion. Best of luck.

Stephen Smith
Utah Video Productions

Check out my Motion Training DVD

Check out my Motion Tutorials
Duane Giliam
February 21, 2011 at 7:01 pm

HI there

Thanks to you both for your help.

The links you recommended were helpful.
Stephen your DVD’s are on my wish list this year – I liked your kinetic typography video.

Duane

Duane
http://www.leapyearfilm.co.za
Stephen Smith
February 22, 2011 at 12:15 am

Duane, thanks for the kind words about my kinetic typography tutorial. Hope you enjoy my DVD.

Stephen Smith
Utah Video Productions

Check out my Motion Training DVD

Check out my Motion Tutorials

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