3D Tracking

[Anonymous]

Is there any discussion of installing a 3d tracker in the new version of Smoke? I realize this is a higher end option, but Asobe After Effects will have this as a built in option in CS 6, and being able to produce a 3D solve in the same application that I edit in is an extremely attractive option for me. Looking forward to the new Smoke!

[fred.warren]

Many users have made this request. It has been forwarded to the people making such decisions.

fred

[julioleon]

I think 3d tracking is a very important part of Action. So basically the next version of AE can do 3d tracking and Camera Projection, wich is also not present on the current version of Smoke. Next year both tools will be part of every respectable compositing application.

[Anonymous]

Thank you Fred!

[peppermintpost]

flame actually in v2013 made a very huge step forward in tracking.
maybe adesk remembers the old flint,flame,inferno system, where new developments
at first entered the inferno, then a year later the flame and then the flint.
maybe that would be a good solution now.
all the fancy new things 1st come up in flame and slinux and an older version or a year
later it comes in smac.
i mean the new tracker, for me it is a dream come true 3d tracker, but that does not mean
the "old" one is crap. the 1st 3d tracker introduced into flame was a real hazzle, but all
versions after that were working pretty well, so why not giving smac an older tracker?
i guess most people on the mac use the maya tracker maybe integrate this one directly into smac.

[jeffreylrm]

I always wondered how come it wasn't in there. Davinci Resolve has one that help with stabilizing shots.

[jeffreylrm]

I think people will use the after effects tracker until smoke has it's own. After effects exports the tracking data I believe.

[Grant.Kay]

Hi,

The current workflow we have always suggested to people which works is to use a 3d tracking programme like PFtrack, Matchmover, Syntheyes & eye. They can all export tracking data in the form of a FBX file which can bring all the 3d camera tracking data directly into Smoke as well as other 3D applications to keep the camera move consistent.

Regards
Grant

[BKM]

I doubt that the AE tracker will export directly in to Smoke without going through C4D or another app to convert it.

[julioleon]

Syntheyes exports directly as an Action file.

[gilpatrick]

I think that is an appropriate product differentiation to keep the 3D Tracker in Flame but I believe that Action in Smoke should have Projectors. I don't know if this is a possibility but projectors are very useful in the workflow you describe above and also for quick "finishing" tasks.

[Christian.T.Roos]

Hi Grant.
I'm using Syntheyes with my Smoke 2011 and it works very well but I don't know to handle the softshadows with the sourcenodes in this relation. The shadows always disappear. Syntheyes export the cameradata as action-file.
Maybe you have an solution for this.
Thx.
Christian

[Grant.Kay]

Hi Christian,

I am glad that Syntheyes works well with Smoke.

You say you are having issues with soft shadows and source nodes. You don't need source nodes to make soft shadows with the lighting system in Smoke or Flame.

Its possible that I am misunderstanding you. Are you able to uploads a sample video somewhere for me to look at?

Many thanks!

Regards
Grant

[Christian.T.Roos]

Hi Grant,
thank you for your really fast response.
I cannot upload a sample video to show you the issues.
I use Smoke2011 on Mac and I remember your video tutorial
making soft shadows with 3D-Text 😉
Works well with all 3D elements in all "normal" scenes.

If I load a Syntheyes-File (*.action) for Smoke/Flame into Smoke
the camera become animated like the camera move in the scene
I have done. Thats fine. All 3D elements are in the correct position during the scene.
Now I just need to get a soft shadow from it.
Something I do wrong.
Maybe better you explain me that from the scratch.
Thanks.
Christian

[myeffigy]

Just a thought, if you are using source nodes to generate the soft shadow from your 3D element, you would need to copy the fbx camera and place the copy inside the source node, so that the geometry in the source node is in the correct position. And ... the image layer should be parented from your fbx camera... and position in z ... sounds difficult...

Of course I have never actually done this myself, so could be total bollocks!

[Grant.Kay]

To be honest, I've been using 2013 for such a long time where lights cast shadows. This was introduced in a later version going on from 2011.

I would have to watch my video again to remember what I did with the source nodes.

The problem is that I don't have access to 2011 and things have moved on quite a bit since than.

Is it not possible for you to upgrade? (I promise it will make your life so much easier!)

Regards
Grant

[Christian.T.Roos]

hi "flamemark" thank you for your information. I'll try it. Sounds helpful.

[Christian.T.Roos]

hi Grant,
thank you for helping me and looking for your videos what you did with your source nodes.
Of course I have Smoke 2012 already in the box and I'm under subscription.
I still have a lot of jobs running on 2011 and it's impossible to change to 2012 now.

Christian

[Christian.T.Roos]

hi flamemark,
you're quite right. was a little bit tricky but it works perfect. Its good to get another point of view from someone experienced.

thanks
Christian

[Christian.T.Roos]

hi Grant,
thank you for your help. I have the solution already.

Christian