Tracking Setup

Which Tracking Config Should I Create

The decision on what type of tracking config to create is dependent on several factors. Additionally, there are many setups where either config type is suitable and the decision is based more on personal preference.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each mode is important to ensure the correct tracking type is used for the situation.

Full instructions on how to create each type of tracking configuration are covered in subsequent sections.

Natural Tracking

A natural tracking configuration is an ideal solution for when minimal setup time is available, or the use of reflective markers is not possible or practical.

The natural tracking technology requires that there is a certain number of stable “features” in the environment. These features can be any type of static element in the environment that the system is able to detect and lock onto.

Examples of good tracking features are:

  • Textured surfaces
  • Furniture
  • Building structure such as doors, windows and set elements

Elements that can be negative for the system include:

  • Moving objects such as people or moving foliage
  • Reflective or highly glossy surfaces
  • Large featureless areas such as green screens or the sky

Reflective Marker

Reflective marker mode will inherently provide a more stable and consistent tracking result, especially over extended periods of time.

This is because the features that are being tracked are purposefully placed and made clearly visible in all lighting conditions with the use of the IR emitter and IR filter on the CamBar.

The drawback with this approach however is that placing markers can be time consuming and is not practical in some environments, such as outdoors or on film sets.

The following situations are recommended for marker tracking:

  • “Virtual Production” stages, either green screen or LED
  • Indoor areas where there are very few “Natural” tracking features
  • Environments with dynamic lighting changes
  • When a consistent world alignment is required over multiple usage sessions of the system