Firstly it is important to know what PFTrack is not. PFTrack is not merely another single purpose match moving application. It is much more than that. Certainly PFTrack enables computer generated effects to be exactly matched with film or video sequences no matter what their resolution. PFTrack is also a comprehensive suite of analysis technologies designed to extract both detailed camera information and pixel motion data from video and film sequences and allow this data to be fully utilised within a post-production environment.
Where PFTrack stands head and shoulders above the crowd is its comprehensive range of tools and its common-sense approach to dealing with complex workflow issues and data management. These include the handling of proxy image resolutions, manipulation of image data and batch processing of tracked shots over a cross platform network, allowing multiple shots to be accessed and processed simultaneously. The philosophy behind data produced by PFTrack is ‘analyse once use many times’. PFTrack allows the user to work with camera, pixel and geometric data within a fully collaborative environment. Once the data has been generated, it is available to provide a single reference source for multiple operations. Since everyone working on a project will be using the same data (from 3D animators to the 2D compositors) consistency throughout a project is guaranteed. This delivers improved results along with time and cost savings and removes the need for multiple clip processing. The optical flow data can be used to retime shots or produce motion blur while the camera data is used for match moving computer generated animation.
PFTrack, in conjunction with other Pixel Farm products, has been designed with first hand knowledge of digital content production and management in film and television. It addresses practical problems of logistics and production workflow within a post facility as well as generating the data required to get your job done