The default analysis works well most of the time, but sometimes you may need to massage the end results even further. You’ll change the method that Warp Stabilizer VFX uses for an even smoother result.
- In the Effect Controls panel, choose Position from the Method menu.
- Choose Stabilize, Crop from the Framing menu, and then increase the Additional Scale to 155%.
Note
Scaling a video layer up degrades the image. Scale only as much as you need to in order to hide black gaps that appear from stabilization.
- Preview the changes one more time, and press the spacebar to stop the playback when you’re done.
- Choose File > Save to save your work, and then choose File > Close Project.
As you have discovered, stabilizing a shot can have drawbacks. To compensate for the movement or rotation data applied to the layer, the frames must be scaled, which could ultimately degrade the footage. However, if you must use a shaky shot in your production, this may be the best compromise.
Using single-point motion tracking
When productions incorporate digital elements into final shots, compositors need an easy way to synchronize computer-generated effects with film or video backgrounds. After Effects lets you do this with the capability to follow, or track, a defined area in the shot, and to apply that movement to other layers. These layers can contain text, effects, images, or other footage. The resulting visual effect precisely matches the original moving footage.
When you track motion in an After Effects composition that contains multiple layers, the default tracking type is Transform. This type of motion tracking tracks position and/or rotation to apply to another layer. When tracking position, this option creates one track point and generates Position keyframes. When tracking rotation, this option creates two track points and produces Rotation keyframes.
In this exercise, you will track an object layer (the cat face) to the pendulum weight as it swings. This will be a little challenging, as there aren’t distinctive characteristics within the pendulum weight itself.