You must have seen videos where a person's name tag follows them in a video with accuracy, or a sports video where the stats are tagging along with the athlete, seems complicated? Nah! It is effortless! And extremely trendy nowadays! It lights up your whole video and makes it even smoother!
Motion Tracking is when you track the movement of a subject in your video, may it be a person, a hand, or even scenery. Once the activity is tracked by the software, you can add anything to that same movement! For example, text, image, or any object!
There are a lot of uses for Motion Tracking; they are used in animations, labels to follow a person, objects in gaming, or even to hide sensitive content. Recalling your favorite meme videos? Your favorite AMVs or FMVs? Or your favorite graphic movements in different movies? Yep, you got it right! Motion tracking is what makes them unique and truly stand out!
- Part 1. How to Use Motion Tracking Feature [Step-by-Step Guide]
- Part 2. How to Add Multiple Motion Tracking in Same Clip
- Part 3. More Creative Ways to Use Motion Tracking
Part 1. How to Use Motion Tracking Feature [Step-by-Step Guide]
Now that you know what motion tracking is and how it lights up your whole video, you want to use it in your next video. But what software to use? Filmora is a video editing software that is extremely simple and easy to use and has numerous features, whether it be themes, stickers, titles, intros, outros, and even more for that perfect video you have in your mind!
Key Features
- Best video editing software for beginner and semi-professional, that comes with powerful editing skills like trimming, splitting, rotating, editing, etc.
- 500+ free special video effects to customize and create an awesome movie by yourself.
- 1000+ standalone effects downloading resources to make videos in all kinds of styles.
- Record voice in real-time: you can have you voices recorded in realtime and instantly add them to the video files.
There are two types of Motion Tracking. One is Single Motion Tracking, and the other is Multiple Motion Tracking. The first includes only tracking one object for maybe a character introduction, making someone’s name follow them, tracking an athlete during a game, or using it as a label for a character in gameplay.
The second one includes when you have multiple objects you want to track, such as in a sport, for example, racing or skiing. We have prepared a step-by-step guide for you to make it even easier!
Step 1: Import Video/Footage
The first step is to import the video you want to track motion in; simply drag and drop them into the media library. Or you can also click on shared media, further click on Import Media and simply choose the file you want to add.
And finally, add it to the timeline!
Step 2: Edit the Video if required
Once you’re done adding the clip, make sure the subject you want to track is in the frame for the entire clip. If the subject isn’t in the frame, make sure to cut or trim the clip to keep them in the frame.
Before you start tracking, you have to make sure that your play head is at the beginning of the clip, so your entire clip is tracked because the tracking starts where your play head is; anything before it will not be tracked.
Step 3: Apply Motion Tracking
Now it's time to apply Motion Tracking! Open the Motion Tracking tool from the icon toolbar above the timeline. Or you can also add Motion Tracking by double-clicking the clip. An editing menu will pop up, and click on Motion Tracking. Once the tracking box appears in the video preview, select the object you want to track, move or resize.
When done, click on the “Render Effect” button and time for some magic! Filmora will analyze your clip for you! How cool is that!
Step 4: Add Object/Title that is to be followed
Now it’s time to add the object that you want to follow the track. Let’s say a name. Go on to the Title menu and just click on the default title or any title that goes to your liking and add it onto the timeline in the video track above.
Now edit the title and add the subject’s name. Choose the appropriate placement of the name in relation to the subject. Also, drag the title footage till the end of the timeline to make sure the title is the same as the duration of the track.
Step 5: Final Step - Add Title to Motion Tracking
The last step is to add the name to the motion tracking. To do this, simply double-click the footage you’ve applied the tracking to and go back to the Motion Tracking menu. A drop-down menu has all the images, text, and other objects available. Choose the text which will set it to move with the tracked clip.
Now preview it! How does it look? Pretty cool, right? And it was so easy!
Part 2. How to Add Multiple Motion Tracking in Same Clip
What if you want to track multiple objects in your video? For example, names athletes in a 100m race? Would seem cool, huh? Here’s how:
Step 1: Import a Clip and Duplicate it
The first step is to import the clip you want to motion track for, drag and drop it from your computer, and then drag it onto the timeline.
You’ll need to duplicate the clip and add it on another video track to track multiple subjects. Just press Ctrl + C for Windows and Cmd + C for Mac, make sure the clips are lined up.
Step 2: Apply Motion Tracking to Both Subjects
Now, hide the top clip by clicking on the eyeball icon. Then apply motion tracking by double-clicking on the bottom clip and click on motion tracking. Click on the box to activate it. Repeat the same process, i.e., set the box around the subject, click on the tracking icon and let Filmora do its magic.
Click on the eyeball to unhide the top clip, and motion-track the other subject the same way. Once done, hide the top clip again.
Step 3: Add Title/Name Tag/Object for Both Subjects
Next, it's time to add the title/name tag/object that you want to be tracked with the subject. Here, we’re giving a name to the subject. Click on Title, choose your desired Title, add it to the timeline and edit it. And adjust them where you want the Title to track the subject.
Do the same for the next title but add in a video track above the previous one.
Step 4: Add Title/Name Tag/Object to Motion Tracking
The last step is to add the title to motion tracking for both. Follow the same steps as for single tracking motion. Select the title in the drop-down menu in the motion tracking menu, and you’re all done!
Preview it and enjoy the easiest and amazing motion tracking!!
If you're interested in Filmora, watch the short clip below to learn more about its new amazing features. Then, start your journey of creating!
Part 3. More Creative Ways to Use Motion Tracking
Above is just the one of the few features of Motion Tracking, there are just so many creative ways you can bring to edit your videos to make them truly stand out! Here’s a list of a few more unique ideas for you to bring out the creativity in you!
#1. Pin Text to a Landscape
What if you want to add a text to landscape scenery, maybe just introduce the majestic view or add some element making the view pop up? To do this, simply add your clip to Filmora, and apply motion tracking to it. When Filmora is done doing its magic, simply add your text and choose that text in the motion tracking menu for it to be tracked. And you’re done! Check out this video to learn it in detail!
#2. Add Elements to the Sky
Wouldn't it be great if you could add a moon to your sky video to make it even more exciting? First, lower the curves so that your video looks more like nighttime. Apply motion tracking. Now, to add the moon, simply add a moon picture with a black background to the timeline and add blend mode to the screen. Now apply motion tracking for the moon, so the moon moves with the sky! And you’re done!
#3. Replace screens on a TV, Computer, or a mobile device
The first step is to apply a green screen to your TV/Mobile phone screen on the video. This will set the base for your editing. Next, apply motion tracking at a point where it seems best, not on the green screen but on the wall or any point that stays throughout the video. Now, simply add your video above the track of the first clip, resize it to the green screen and activate motion tracking for that video. The next step is to copy and paste the first clip above the second clip and activate the chroma feature by double-clicking, and you’re all set! Check this video for the tutorial!
