Features
An outstanding algorithm of object-motion estimation, PatchMaker has a number of incontestable advantages compared to two-dimensional (2D) tracking tools:
Perfect motion tracking quality is attained because PatchMaker uses all the color data present in the object image rather than a few tracking points. The motion is computed with sub-pixel accuracy so that no artificial smoothing of motion parameters is needed — the object moves as it actually does. The results are not feasible with common tracking techniques, especially in reproducing the finest motion details.PatchMaker tracks 2D object motion in the image plane and this involves much less computation compared to full-fledged three-dimensional (3D) tracking. However, 2D transformations will do perfectly in a vast number of cases, particularly with the use of more complex motion models supported by the program. The motion of non-planar objects in a sequence can often be divided into segments where it can be quite accurately represented by 2D transformations.Despite comparatively fast running times of other trackers, the inferior quality of their results and cumbersome tuning procedures make one re-track the same sequence many times. Overall, this will often take much longer than when using the PatchMaker.Easy to use — select a frame for which an overlay (a patch) is drawn, mark out an object that moves just like the overlay should, and run the tracker. The default parameters are chosen such that the need to change them would arise as rarely as possible. The effort required to become familiar with PatchMaker and obtain a first meaningful and high-quality result is minimal.Wide range of supported motion models: translation; translation with rotation; translation with rotation and scaling, and affine transforms, using multiple motion types for differrent intervals in a single video sequence being possible.Affine transformations computed by PatchMaker do not yield in quality to other motion types. In concurring products such transformations are estimated from the motion of as few as three points, and their total statistic error does not permit to use this model in practice.Easy, familiar, and neat interface. The PatchMaker interface will seem familiar to users of After Effects and other Adobe products. Retaining their style and power, PatchMaker allows easy access to all supported features and operation modes, including:Concurrent execution of independent actions. All lengthy computations are performed in the background and do not interfere with user activities such as drawing masks, editing parameters, previewing, or rendering the already obtained results.Undo any action. One or more recent user actions can be undone, or redone.In addition, direct data exchange between PatchMaker and After Effects (including footage, overlay, and motion parameters) is fast and easy.
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