Import 3D Tracking Data

Import 3D Tracking Data

After Effects does not include a dedicated 3D tracker, but
it can import 3D tracking data created in a separate application,
such as 2D3’s Boujou, Pixel Farm’s PF Track, or
SynthEyes, from Andersson Technologies. Nor does it work
with 3D mesh objects (it’s the “postcards in space” model
of 2D in a 3D environment), so the 3D tracking workfl ow
operates as follows:
1. Track the scene with a 3D tracking application. This
generates 3D camera data, typically exportable in various
3D formats; included with these is usually an option
to export a .ma fi le for After Effects.
The track will ideally also generate nulls corresponding
to the track points and an axis centered on the “fl oor,”
the ground plane of the shot, although you may have to
specify these.

2. (Optional) Import the camera data into a 3D animation
program and render 3D elements. You can also
massage the 3D data for After Effects here, leaving, for
example, only helpful nulls.
3. Import the camera data into After Effects; it imports in
the form of a composition with an animated 3D camera
and nulls (potentially many layers of them). Add your
background plate and foreground elements; those that
are 2D can be freely matched with 3D elements, which
will pick up the camera movement.