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    Camera tracking Background and Shadows?

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    • C
      Capprim last edited by Capprim

      Hi Dr.Sassi! What do you think of this tutorial? That's what I plan to do with a footage very similar
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0uD1BpwVHE Is there something missing?

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      • Dr. Sassi
        Dr. Sassi last edited by

        Hi Capprim,

        Thanks for asking. if that works for you… You asked: "Is there something missing?" Is he at all using a lens distortion, or is he addressing this point? That would be the answer.

        If the lens distortion is ignored, typically, objects that need to be on the floor will swim at one point, i.e., lose contact with the floor or objects.

        Besides, lens distortion of any kind (Barrel, Pillow, Mustache, etc.) will change the speed of details in relation to other parts in the "image", with that fooling the tracking algorithm. So, at any time you need to have contact with the elements in the footage, this is a must-have workflow. A different case is an airplane flying through the scene that can get away with lends distortion, but the tracking itself might be difficult.

        How to get a lens distortion file (.lns)?
        https://cineversity.maxon.net/en/tutorials/new_in_release_17_quickstart_lens_distortion_tool
        Please note there are often complex distortions that need a few more lines to be evaluated. Anything below five lines that cover the edges, sides, and middle areas is not useful; also, assuming that anything is symmetrical from a lens is not advised.

        If you want to know about tracking inside Cinema 4D, use this series.
        https://cineversity.maxon.net/en/series/motion_tracking_object_tracking_inside_cinema_4d?tutorial=motion_tracking_object_tracking_inside_cinema_4d_introduction

        If you would like to know about compositing basic qualities those shots need to have, which partly can't be done with the quick preview, use this series here:
        https://cineversity.maxon.net/en/series/integration1?tutorial=1_integration_introduction_01

        If you want to know what is in a typical workflow, here is another series.
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7za0ozspxIg&list=PLOLI4wu7NPsjGPK3BGKJpmAg9WqFodFHh

        All of these share much more than you ask for–Just have the cube on the end of the street. I have not seen the footage nor the lens grid, so you ask me about something I can't just answer. I don't provide shortcuts that might let you end up with wasted time and no result.
        I have been doing Motion Tracking since the late '90s, and I have gotten a lot of questions about it, hence my reluctance to get sloppy here and upset anyone. This is not my MO. Thanks for understanding.

        All the best

        Dr. Sassi Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
        Senior Trainer, Maxon Master Trainer, L&D - Strategist
        Cinema 4D mentor since 2004, Member of VES, DCS.

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        • C
          Capprim last edited by

          Thanks Dr.Sassi! I'm going to make several tests. Also will use a Fx3

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          • Dr. Sassi
            Dr. Sassi last edited by

            You're very welcome, Capprim,

            If you use your Sony Fx3, the lensgrid that you shoot should have (as far as possible) the same focus distance set. If you have a Zoom lens, the exact Focal length is critical for the lens grid and footage taken to match. Keep the camera straight (perpendicular) to the grid.

            When you use it with the iPhone, take the video format you like for that, not a photo.

            I have used this one here for over a decade or so, and if you have it print out large (Long side 36"), tell the one doing it to charge you as a text file, then it might be much cheaper. Think of a larger poster size.
            https://cdn.borisfx.com/borisfx/syntheyes/lensAutoGrid.pdf

            As usual, I tested it with the current version of Cinema 4D (2025.2), and all works fine.

            All the best

            Dr. Sassi Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
            Senior Trainer, Maxon Master Trainer, L&D - Strategist
            Cinema 4D mentor since 2004, Member of VES, DCS.

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            • C
              Capprim last edited by

              I'll try Thanks!

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              • Dr. Sassi
                Dr. Sassi last edited by

                You're very welcome, Capprim.

                Let me know how it goes.

                ( I wrote this post a day ago, and I found it this morning: Not send; sorry about it. Looks like I need a vacation 😉

                Cheers

                Dr. Sassi Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
                Senior Trainer, Maxon Master Trainer, L&D - Strategist
                Cinema 4D mentor since 2004, Member of VES, DCS.

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                • C
                  Capprim last edited by

                  By the way, I managed to get tracked an Iphone 16 pro Prores footage. Working on the scene. I'll let you know

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                  • C
                    Capprim last edited by

                    Dear Sassi, Everything works fine but the Shadowcatcher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXFYZhfI5yc Where is this in Redshift? It worked so easy before Thanks

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                    • C
                      Capprim last edited by

                      Solved with Redshift object applied to a plane on the floor! However the settings are tricky! You have to spend a while clicking around. Have a nice day!

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                      • Dr. Sassi
                        Dr. Sassi last edited by

                        Good Morning, Capprim,

                        Thanks for updating your own questions. Very nice of you!

                        My best wishes for your project

                        Dr. Sassi Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
                        Senior Trainer, Maxon Master Trainer, L&D - Strategist
                        Cinema 4D mentor since 2004, Member of VES, DCS.

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