VFX Techniques: Tracking Objects onto a Face

Shows how to build complex composites with After Effects and mocha, where motion graphics are mapped to live-action footage of an actor's face.

Introduction

• Welcome
• Using the exercise files
• What you need to know about this course

1. Getting Started

• Breakdown of the final comp
• Review of the image sequences
• Setting up the project in After Effects

2. Applying Digital Makeup

• Rotoscoping tracking marks
• Disguising marks with grading and noise
• Rotoscoping the foreground
• Removing remaining track marks

3. Planar Tracking with mocha

• Preparing the footage for tracking
• Setting up a mocha project
• Planar tracking a face
• Adjusting planar surfaces
• Looking at the Curve Editor

4. Importing and Applying Tracking Data

• Importing track data from mocha
• Adjusting corner pin curves
• Fine-tuning tracked artwork
• Adding a second tracking layer in mocha
• Offsetting the planar surface

5. Preparing a Motion Graphic Heads-Up Display

• Animating an artificial camera
• Animating text
• Wrapping up the motion graphics

6. Adjusting Tracked Artwork and 3D Layers

• Tracking the heads-up display
• Fabricating geometry and shadows
• Adding highlights and light effects

7. Color Grading and Rendering

• Applying color and light effects
• Batch rendering the final comp
• Looking at the final scene

Conclusion

• Next steps