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SolidAnim Introduces SolidTrack

Innovative, affordable markerless camera tracking and previz solution for real time visual effects and on-set visualization for the film and broadcast industries.

Paris, France-based technology developer SolidAnim, specializing in products for virtual production, has introduced the latest version of its SolidTrack solution for the film and broadcast industries. 

SolidTrack brings a revolutionary approach providing a more ergonomic and intuitive solution dedicated to camera tracking and visualization of complex VFX shots, dealing with green screen compositing, 3D rendering, and complex camera moves. Producers achieve greater control of VFX budgets and timescales, minimizing wastage and ensuring efficient delivery, from previz to the final movie or television show. Comparing to traditional shooting methods producers save approximately 30% time on a film or television show utilizing SolidTrack.

SolidAnim SolidTrack was used successfully on Da Vinci's Demons in 2012 and is currently being used by Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey (2014).

SolidTrack is an innovative real-time markerless tracking and previz solution for recording camera moves and data logging of camera moves on the virtual set. It allows the tracking of all camera types as well as the overview of special effects in real time while shooting. SolidTrack captures in real time the position and orientation of the film camera, including intrinsic parameters such as variable focal lenses (zoom).

SolidTrack is highly mobile and can be set up quickly (15 minutes) whether indoors or outdoors, and tracks instantly on any new setup. The light solution is comprised of one cable and one survey camera weighing less than 150 g (~1 lb). SolidTrack does not need any visible markers when shooting, even on a green screen, and is compatible with additional external information such as encoders and gyros. "On set" tracking of SolidTrack can be exported in FBX format for helping the final post-production camera tracking.

In today's cost sensitive production marketplace it has become crucial to both keep production costs down and speed up the finishing of visual effects-heavy shows. Filmmakers and television producers have found that they need to use a variety of tools and techniques to provide reliable and accurate camera tracking data for use in both real time compositing and post processed visual effects shots.

Until now they had to wait for post production to finish in order to view completed visual effects shots, or build expensive and complex custom solutions requiring teams of experts in order to see the combination of live action and computer generated backgrounds while shooting. To satisfy this need SolidAnim created SolidTrack to provide an affordable solution for the tracking and visualization of complex VFX shots, including green screen compositing, 3D rendering, and complex camera moves.

“We have concentrated on building a tracking solution that is fast and easy to set up while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to a constantly changing production environment,” says Isaac Partouche, CEO of SolidAnim. “We believe we have developed a unique, powerful, and complimentary set of tools for next generation film making, and ensures that our customers will stay at the forefront of developments in tracking technology and on-set visualization.”

Source: SolidAnim

Jennifer Wolfe's picture

Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.