Motion Tracking
Track motion in footage and apply it to layers, effects, or 3D cameras. Attach graphics to moving objects.
Tracking
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Motion Tracking
Adobe After EffectsKeyboard Shortcut
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Where to Find
Open the Tracker Panel from Window > Tracker. Select the layer to track and click "Track Motion" in the Tracker Panel.
Best Used For
- ▸Attaching graphics to moving objects in footage
- ▸Screen replacements with perspective tracking
- ▸Tracking camera movement for VFX compositing
- ▸Creating motion-matched animations
Advanced⏱ 2-4 hours to master
Key Settings
Track Type: Transform / Perspective / RawTrack Point: High-contrast featureApply: Assign to target
Motion Tracking lets you attach graphics, text, and effects to moving objects in your footage. Whether it's replacing a screen on a moving phone or adding a label to a tracking shot, Motion Tracking makes it possible. Choose high-contrast tracking points for the most accurate results.
Where to Find
Open the Tracker Panel from Window > Tracker. Select the layer to track and click "Track Motion" in the Tracker Panel.
How to Use
- Select Target: Choose the motion source layer in the Timeline
- Track Type: Choose from Transform, Parallel, Perspective, or Raw tracking
- Track Point: Position the track point on a high-contrast feature in the footage
- Analyze: Click the forward play button to begin tracking
- Apply: Click "Apply" to assign the tracking data to a target layer or effect
Pro Tips
- Choose tracking points with high contrast and distinct edges
- For screen replacements, use Perspective tracking for corner pin data
- Stabilize footage first if the camera is too shaky
- Adjust the track point size to match the feature being tracked