Motion Tracking

Motion tracking analyzes video footage to calculate the movement of elements within the scene. Point tracking follows specific high-contrast details across frames. Planar tracking follows the movement and perspective change of flat surfaces. Camera tracking (also called matchmoving) reconstructs the 3D camera path from 2D footage, enabling CGI elements to be placed into a scene with correct perspective and parallax. Each type serves different compositing and effects needs.

The applications of motion tracking are vast. A point track can attach a graphic or text to a moving object — a name tag that follows a person, a graphic that sticks to a passing vehicle. Planar tracking enables replacing screen content on phones, tablets, or monitors that change angle throughout a shot. Camera tracking allows 3D text, objects, or environments to be composited into live footage with accurate perspective, making it appear as though they were physically present during filming.

Motion tracking has become increasingly automated and accessible, but challenging footage — with heavy motion blur, rapid movement, occlusions, or low contrast — still requires skilled manual intervention. For video projects that need digital elements integrated into live footage, motion tracking is the enabling technology. Planning ahead helps: providing a clean plate (a shot of the empty scene without subjects) and using tracking markers during filming can significantly improve tracking accuracy and reduce post-production time.