Motion Tracking vs. Planar Tracking in Filmora: Which One to Use?

Wondershare Filmora is a popular video editing software known for its user-friendly interface and powerful features. Among its many features, Filmora's motion tracking is essential for enhancing your video projects. It allows you to track and attach text, images, or other elements to moving objects.

Starting with version 14, Filmora introduces a new feature: planar tracking. This feature is ideal for tasks like replacing flat surfaces such as billboards or license plates within a scene. It will further expand your creative possibilities for your video projects.

Wondering how to make the most of these tracking technologies? This article will guide you through the differences between planar and motion tracking in Filmora and help you decide which one is right for your project. Keep reading to discover how to make the most of these features in your next video project!

Part 1. What Is Motion Tracking in Filmora

Wondershare Filmora has a motion tracking feature that allows you to track the movement of an object in your video. Then, you can attach elements like text, images, or graphics to them. This feature enables you to create dynamic effects and ensure that your added elements follow the motion of your selected object.

Key Features of Motion Tracking in Filmora

• Automatic Object Tracking

  Filmora's motion tracking feature automatically follows the movement of objects, streamlining the editing process.

• Auto Reframe Function

  This feature automatically adjusts the video's aspect ratio to suit different social media platforms.

• Comprehensive Editing Tools

  Filmora provides a range of editing tools, such as effects, filters, and transitions, that enhance the appearance of your video.

• Color Correction and Grading

  Advanced color grading and correction options allow you to adjust the colors of tracked objects, ensuring they align with the overall video aesthetic and maintain consistency.

Can I use motion tracking for objects that are partially out of frame?

Tracking objects that frequently move out of frame can be challenging. When an object moves partially or completely out of the visible area, the motion tracking tool may lose its reference point. When this problem occurs, it will be difficult to maintain accurate tracking. To address this, you might need to perform additional manual adjustments.

Here are some tips to help you go about this:

1. Extend your tracking area: You can adjust the position, size and orientation of the object as needed.
2. Fine-tuning the tracking: You can adjust the size and position of the object as it follows the track.
3. Trim the clip: You can trim and shorten the clip if the object isn't in the frame for the entire duration.

Pros & Cons of Motion Tracking in Filmora

While Filmora's motion tracking feature is powerful and versatile, it has certain limitations. Particularly with objects that frequently move out of frame or those with rapid, erratic movements or complex trajectories.

If your project involves tracking flat surfaces like billboards, screens, or signs, you might find motion tracking less effective. This is where Filmora's new planar tracking feature comes into play. In the next section, we'll explore how to use this new planar tracking feature, allowing you to overcome these challenges and expand your creative possibilities.

Part 2. Discover Filmora's Planar Tracking: A Practical Guide to Get You Started

While Filmora's motion tracking follows the movement of individual objects, planar tracking can track surfaces that change perspective within your footage. Planar tracking is an advanced technique for tracking flat surfaces within your footage.

This feature is useful for applying effects, replacing content, or adding elements to surfaces that change in size, shape, or angle as they move. For example, it can track the side of a moving car, a rotating billboard, or a smartphone screen.

With the introduction of version 14, Filmora now offers planar tracking—a feature typically found in more advanced video editing software. This addition sets Filmora apart by bringing professional-level tracking capabilities to a broader audience. If you're eager to experiment with this new feature, you can download the latest version of Filmora and start exploring its potential.

How to Apply Planar Tracking in Filmora?

Step1Enable the Planar Tracking

Import the video file you want to use and place it on the timeline. Go to Video > AI Tools > Planar Tracking in the properties panel to enable planar tracking.

Step2Choose Auto or Advanced mode

Select which mode that you want to apply to your clip,

• Auto Mode: Quickly adds a tracking box and completes tracking with one click.
• Advanced Mode: Use this for videos with more movement or shaking. It allows for manual adjustments and fine-tuning.

Step3Adjust the Trackers

Once you select the tracking mode, move the four points of the tracking box to align with the four corners of the surface you want to track.

Step4Track the Motion

• If you chose the Auto Mode: Click to start tracking automatically.
• If you choose the Advanced Mode: Use forward/backward frame analysis to improve accuracy. Adjust the analysis accuracy setting for more precise results, though it may slow down the process.

Step5Adjust Tracking Results

In Advanced Mode, you can stop the analysis at any time to adjust tracking points. Manually fine-tune any inaccuracies during the process.

Step6Select Bound Object

Click on the clip with planar tracking. Select the binding object in the properties panel by opening the Link Element dropdown menu. The binding object can be a clip, mosaic, or any media from your computer. Then, the replacement or addition is now complete.

Pros & Cons of Planar Tracking in Filmora

Part 3. Compare motion tracking and planar tracking in Filmora

To help you decide which tracking technology best suits your needs, here's a comparison of Filmora's motion tracking and planar tracking features:

Filmora's motion tracking is ideal for tracking individual objects that move within a video, such as adding text or images that follow a moving target. It's straightforward and efficient but struggles with surfaces that change shape or perspective.

On the other hand, planar tracking is designed for flat surfaces that alter their perspective, such as billboards or screens. It provides greater accuracy for these surfaces but is more complex and demands more processing power. Choose motion tracking for simpler, consistent movement and planar tracking for surfaces with dynamic changes in perspective.

Part 4. How to Choose the Right Tracking Technology in Filmora?

Choosing the right tracking technology in Filmora depends on your project's specific needs and your level of editing experience. To achieve the best results, select the tracking method that best aligns with both your project's requirements and your skills. Here's a guide to help you make the right choice:

1. Project Requirements
   • Motion Tracking: Ideal for projects where you need to attach elements like text or images to moving objects. It works well for simpler tasks such as tracking a player in sports videos or adding labels to moving objects.
   • Planar Tracking: Best for tasks involving flat surfaces that change perspective, such as replacing ads on billboards or modifying screens. It handles surfaces that rotate or shift better than motion tracking.
2. User Experience and Skill Level
   • Motion Tracking: Suitable for beginners or those who prefer a straightforward method. It is easy-to-use and less complex.
   • Planar Tracking: More advanced and may require additional practice. It's best for users with some editing experience or those needing detailed adjustments for complex scenes.
3. Practical Use
   • Motion Tracking: Use this for adding dynamic elements to moving objects, like overlaying text or logos on active scenes.
   • Planar Tracking: Opt for this when replacing or enhancing content on surfaces with varying perspectives, such as adding virtual ads to moving billboards.

Part 5. Other Fresh Tracking Ideas to Inspire Your Video Editing Creativity

Filmora's motion tracking and planar tracking offer diverse creative possibilities beyond typical uses. Here are some innovative ways to incorporate these tracking features into your video projects:

Social Media Content

For content creators, you can use Filmora's motion tracking to attach captions or hashtags to moving elements in your videos. Or, you can use the planar tracking to enhance scenes by adding dynamic ads or graphics to moving billboards.

Interactive Advertisements

In promotional videos, motion tracking can be used to keep call-to-action buttons, such as "Click Here" or "Learn More," consistently visible as they follow a moving target like a product or a person. Use planar tracking for product placement. Replace or enhance advertisements on surfaces like bus stops or digital screens with planar tracking.

Creative Music Videos

You can use motion tracking to sync text effects with the movement of performers in music videos. Use planar tracking to apply artistic effects to surfaces that change perspective, such as a rotating vinyl record or a billboard in a music video.

Educational and Tutorial Videos

In instructional videos, use motion tracking to follow and highlight specific tools or areas of interest to help viewers follow along with step-by-step instructions. Use planar tracking to add annotations or diagrams to surfaces that change perspective, such as a rotating globe or a moving whiteboard.

By exploring these creative applications, you can elevate your video projects and leverage Filmora's tracking technologies to their fullest potential. Whether you're enhancing social media content, crafting interactive advertisements, or producing engaging music videos, these tracking features can add a dynamic edge to your edits.

Conclusion

Filmora's motion tracking and planar tracking offer unique advantages for different editing needs. Use motion tracking for simpler tasks like following moving objects with text or images. And use planar tracking for more complex scenarios involving flat surfaces that change perspective.

Both features enhance your creative possibilities in video projects. Experiment with these tools to discover which suits your project best. Try out Filmora's tracking features today by downloading a free trial, and elevate your videos to the next level. Start editing with Filmora right now!