Matching 3D object with drone shot

[Jakob.Degler]

Hello

I am trying to learn to take a drone video and "transfer" it into a 3D environment, which matches the video.

For this I am tracking the video in After Effects and then import it in 3ds Max, where I place the 3D model, so it matches the real footage and I can transition with opacity change in After effects.

My question is:

What is the best way to match the transition between the two?

Here is my first try (the 3D model isn't yet perfectly proportional):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXlU0n-DrPg

I positioned the 3D model approximatly by sight and I had to tilt the model so the perspective fitted.

Image example (on the left is the 3D model):

The model and the tracked footage is positioned in the center of the grid. Why would i have to tilt de 3D model?

By my understanding (limited) it should match.

Do I have the wrong focal length?

Should I match the focal length in the tracked camera with that of the drone (Mavic2Pro)?

Is there a more professional way of positioning, or do I have to make it by eyesight, so it seems correct.

Image example - it is plus minus correct - can I make it match almost perfectly somehow?

I hope this was clear enough

Thanks for any suggestions

All the best

Jakob

[CiroCardoso3v]

Any chance you can get real world coordinates for this? You need some context to able to match the camera. Something like OS maps could help you getting some context. And yes, you should match your drones camera lens and sensor size. 

[Jakob.Degler]

How would that work with real world coordinates?
What would I do with them?

[CiroCardoso3v]

The coordinates for the building and the camera would helped placing the building in the correct location. Knowing that the building is correct and the camera is roughly correct (in particular the height) provides you a good start. Then I jump to the camera and try to match as close as possible the drone settings - camera lens, sensor size, etc. Then is a matter to keep adjusting the camera as the camera is the only moving element here. If you know that the building is on the correct location, correct height, is the camera that needs to be adjusted.

This isn't necessarily an easy task.

[firat-1995]

You can easily transfer the camera movement coordinates to 3ds Max using After Effects or PFTrack, just as you mentioned. In drone footage, it's easy to scale a place whose dimensions you know with 3ds Max. For example, you can measure the width of a road using Google Maps and scale it accordingly in 3ds Max. If the perspective lines don’t match, you can correct them using 'Perspective Match' and 'Vanishing Line,' like in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXAmQlm5dsU. Drone montages are very important for architectural visualization. I'm really glad someone is interested in this!