Point Tracking

link to point tracking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzl559_GO3U

Link to tracking camera example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMFH1wXHY0A

In todays lesson we were taught how to point track, point tracking is very similar to motion tracking but differs in the fact that when point tracking you are given specific tools to help track something like a dot moving across the screen to then add another layer on top which you could "parent" it with the dot to move at the same time. you could also use point tracking to add an image in a picture frame whilst the camera pans around the picture frame but the CG image stays in place giving the effect of the image being realistic.  

you can track things in many different ways in Adobe After Effects throughout the track camera and track motion. you usually use track camera if you wanted to add maybe 3D text to the floor of a track ing shot in which you will need to use the track camera tool to track the shot, you would then be able to create a virtual 3D camera that you can add text to. when you add text to that layer the text will no longer stay static and will give the illusion that its in the background. this is a cool effect for something like a title sequence or if you want to introduce something.

Motion tracking differs slightly from track an entire shot as you can track individual parts for instance if you had a 360 degree pivoting pan shot and you wanted to add a picture to a frame or footage to a blank TV screen you can do this through the track type tab in the motion tracker box called perspective corner pin which will give you four pins which you can scale and position to the desired spot. this type of tracking is effective for adding in extra footage which the actors can "look" at.