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Defining tracking regions (PB only)


    Before tracking motion, define three tracking regions in the motion footage layer: a search region, a feature region, and a track point. Resize each region by dragging a handle.

    Tip iconMake both regions as small as possible so that the Tracker/Stabilizer can more accurately and quickly track the selected region. Increasing the size of either region increases the time required for tracking.

    Illustration with these callouts: A. Search region B. Feature region C. Track point
    A. Search region B. Feature region C. Track point

    Search region

    Resize the box to define the area outside the feature region that the Tracker/Stabilizer uses to locate the tracked object or region in the next frame. Large feature movements between frames require a larger search region to accurately find and match the feature from one frame to the next.The box must be large enough to contain the largest possible movement of the feature region from one frame to the next. Although increasing the search region increases tracking time, it's better for the search region to be too large than too small.

    Feature region

    Resize the box to precisely define the element you want to track.

    Track point

    Move the cross hair to specify the point of attachment between the tracked area and the second layer. The Tracker/Stabilizer generates keyframes for the specified track point and copies them to the position property of the second layer; when you play back the layers, the second layer is attached to the track point of the first. If you are stabilizing a layer, the Tracker/Stabilizer copies the tracking data to the stabilized layer's anchor point. If you are attaching an effect instead of a second layer, the Tracker/Stabilizer copies the keyframes to the specified effect point. You can place this effect point anywhere in the image. The cross hair is not visible when the tracker is in stabilize mode, because the track point is always the center of the feature region.

    Tip iconTo move the search region, feature region, and track point all at once, drag between the handles of the feature region. To move the feature region without moving the track point, Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Mac OS) the feature region.