Those who work in the film industry often use motion tracking to follow the movement of various objects and cameras. They can apply the tracked data to 3D objects afterward. By using motion tracking software, editors can produce a film with a variety of effects that looks like unedited.
Top 7 Motion Tracking Software
- Adobe After Effects - High-level motion tracking options
- Adobe Premiere Pro - A high-level video editor
- Filmora - Helpful guides and manuals
- Blender - The best motion tracking software
- DaVinci Resolve - Various motion tracking options
- Cinema 4D - Suitable for novices
- 3DEqualizer - Perfect for the VFX industry
In this article, I’ll take a look at the best motion tracking software that comes with basic and advanced video editing tools. Motion tracking technology can be applied to both simple tasks and more complex ones. Moreover, it helps to remove unnecessary details from a shot and stabilize the frame by tracking the subject on the editing table.
1. Adobe After Effects – Our Choice
- Tracking of 3D camera movement
- Fast and intuitive UI
- Supports plug-ins
- Perfect motion graphics compositing
- For advanced users only
Verdict: After Effects is an Adobe product designed for editing videos. Besides, it serves as a great video tracking software. After Effects comes with both basic and more advanced editing tools.
The program includes many types of trackers such as Point Tracker, 3D Camera Tracker, Spline Tracker and Planar Tracker. The big advantage is their ability to make inanimate objects appear to be moving. You can create similar objects using stop motion animation ideas to get some inspiration. A user can add the fire effect to an ordinary moving ball to make it turn into a real comet.
2. Adobe Premiere Pro
- Top-notch editing options
- Native file support
- Great stabilization
- Organizational tools
- No keyword tags
Verdict: Premiere Pro is the most powerful video editor with multiple advanced options. Unlike After Effects, this Adobe product focuses more on video editing than motion tracking. Premiere Pro is compatible with other products, such as Adobe Sensei and Premiere Rush, and can be used across devices. I recommend comparing After Effects vs Premiere Pro to find the best service for your needs.
Using the range of editing features, you can make an engaging video presentation. After the recent update, the program can also be used as an object tracking software. It not only improves the user experience but also helps blur moving objects. You can, for example, hide a car number or blur a person’s face for privacy reasons. To use this option in Premiere Pro, you need to launch the program and import the desired files on the timeline.
3. Filmora
- Easy-to-navigate interface
- Helpful support
- Various online guides
- Constant updates
- The free version is limited
Verdict: If you want to use motion tracking software free of charge, I recommend taking a closer look at Filmora Pro. This program has a paid and a free version, the latter comes with certain restrictions. Filmora Pro was created by Wondershare as a part of its audio and video editing suite. With access to advanced options, you can create high-quality clips. Filmora Pro is a multifunctional program that can also be used as a stop motion software. By using various features of Filmora Pro, including motion tracking, you can take your film editing skills to the professional level.
The motion tracking option can be used for editing videos, images, texts and planes. The 2D tracking algorithm can match the position scale and Z-rotation of the tracked object. Note that it will not match all types of rotation or perspective changes.
Verdict: Most users are probably familiar with one of the best free video editing software named Blender. The program focuses on 3D modeling and animation. Thanks to its advanced tools, Blender is also suitable for video editing and rendering. Using the service, you can preview live video, experiment with chrome vectorscope, luma waveform, add nearly 32 tracks to audio, work with pictures and visual effects, mix and sync audio.
Blender motion tracking includes powerful options for 2D tracking and 3D motion reconstruction. Besides the camera and object tracking options, it comes with some special features, like a plane track for composition. You can move and modify masks for rotoscoping in the mask editor, which is available as a special mode in the Movie Clip Editor.
5. DaVinci Resolve
- Great editing tools
- RAW formats are available
- Stabilization
- Free of charge
- Difficult for novices
Verdict: DaVinci Resolve is the 15th updated version released by Black Magic. The program is unrivaled when it comes to video editing. A nice bonus is completely free access to both basic and advanced features, thanks to which users can create both commercials and movies. If you are unsure which video editor you need, I recommend comparing DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro.
An updated version of DaVinci Resolve offers a variety of visual effects and integrated motion tracking options. You can use 250 tools to complete any task, such as text animation, tracking, stabilization, rotoscoping, vector painting, etc.
Verdict: Cinema 4D is a motion tracking software that is great for beginners and professionals alike. Users will be pleased that it does a great job with 3D tracking. Besides, Cinema 4D is easy-to-use and delivers high-accuracy results.
This motion tracker helps you quickly integrate 3D elements into real footage. Using a tracking camera, users can add 3D objects to existing environments. The Object Tracker option also comes in handy if you want to replace real objects with 3D ones, while the Camera Calibrator will help you match the camera angle and perspective.
7. 3DEqualizer
- Advanced Python integration
- Fast optimization
- Unique solutions
- Lens distortion
- Lacks keyword tagging
Verdict: 3DEqualizer is an effective motion tracking solution in today’s VFX world. The program helps you combine clips with digital visual effects in real-time while maintaining high quality. Most of the leading companies around the world that specialize in post-production in one way or another use 3DEqualizer.
Since you can combine 3D effects of any size with live video, your work is greatly simplified. The development team has worked hard to create the best motion tracking software aimed not only at studios but also at those who are eager to get the best effects.
