GeoTracker for Adobe After Effects
GeoTracker is a plugin that brings 3D-object tracking to Adobe After Effects.
Match-moving tasks are done with a snap with GeoTracker — what usually requires a team of motion tracking specialists can be done by a VFX artist with no tracking skills and with less time spent. Now this technology is available for users of After Effects, so they can use object tracking to reach the new level of motion graphics and design.
Intuitive model manipulation
Our pin-based approach helps you to keep your model under precise control while placing and moving it in 3D space naturally and effortlessly. All that in the standard 2D viewport without additional windows or gizmos.
Focal length estimation and tracking
Obviously, you need to know exact camera settings for precise tracking. But no worries if you don't! We understand it happens often in post, so we added reliable focal length estimation to GeoTracker. More than that, GeoTracker can estimate focal length during tracking too, so you can track objects in footage where focal length is constantly changing (zoom lens). You can watch our Camera Basics tutorial to learn more.
Defiant of occlusions
Occlusions are among the main issues that mess up 3D tracking. GeoTracker can deal with them so well, most of the time you won't need to even think about them. But for some very advanced cases, we added support for 2D masks, so you can exclude problematic areas from tracking manually.
Since the version 2023.1 you can also use 3D masks to mark the parts of the model that you want to exclude from tracking. Please watch our masking tutorial to learn more.
Built-in 3D models (primitives & human head)
3D object tracking requires a 3D model. GeoTracker provides you with four built-in primitives: plane — for screens, walls and any flat surfaces; sphere — for balls, heads and other spherical objects; cube — for vehicles, boxes, buildings, etc; and cylinder — for bottles, rockets, cups and so on. With v2023.1 and newer you can use a generic head to track human heads and faces. You can also export all these models as .OBJ and .FBX files.
Feels like built-in
We all know that the 3D software world is so diverse, it's uncomfortable to even think of adopting new software. With this in mind, we strive to provide the most intuitive and native experience to our users — you won't need to learn another interface and memorise new fantastic button names and where to find them. We've designed GeoTracker to look, feel and work like if it was the best built-in tool of After Effects that existed from the very beginning and still is its main selling point.
GeoTrackerplans
Freelancer Monthly
—GeoTrackermonthly subscription
— Node-locked
— For individuals
Billed monthly
Freelancer Annual
—GeoTrackerannual subscription
— Node-locked
— For individuals
$179 billed yearly — save $37/year
Prices shown without taxes. For enterprise/volume pricing, please get in touch!
Please note that Freelancer plans are intended only for individuals. If purchased by a company, it will be consequently cancelled. If you need help with choosing your plan, please contact our support.
All subscriptions can be used for commercial work.
All results of your work with our products belong to you.
System Requirements
— Adobe After Effects version 17.0 (2020) or newer
— 64bit version of Windows or macOS (Intel or Apple Silicon)
Help resources
The written guide can be found on our Medium page.
For assets and project examples, you can visit our examples page.
Video tutorials
Learn from our users
Frequently Asked Questions
— How to install GeoTracker into After Effects?
All you need is to download the installer package and launch it. Don't forget to close After Effects before starting the installation process.
— How to update GeoTracker for After Effects?
The plugin will tell you when there's a new version. You can download the installation package and install it without uninstalling the old version. Please don't forget to close After Effects before installing and updating GeoTracker.
— How to remove GeoTracker from After Effects?
On macOS: use the uninstaller script in Applications/Utilities if you installed it using the installation package. On Windows: look for the entry in Programs and Features list if you installed it with the installer. In case you have installed it manually on Windows and macOS, just delete the files. Don't forget to close After Effects before uninstalling GeoTracker.
— I see an error which is not described here, what should I do?
If the error message belongs to GeoTracker, please try following the instructions that are included into the error message, it should help. If the error belongs to After Effects, it's advisable to search for similar errors in your favourite search engine on the Internet, you can also look for answers in Adobe community. If nothing helps, please drop us a message, we'd be happy to help!
— I have an idea or feedback
Please drop us a message or fill this form, we'd be really happy to know!
— Do I need a 3D model to track something?
Usually — yes, but we've included Cube, Sphere, Cylinder and Plane primitives into the plugin, so you don't need to look for such models in simple cases. Starting with version 2023.1 you also have the built-in generic head model with customisable size — it'll cover most basic scenarios of tracking a head. For added preciseness we recommend using FaceBuilder for Blender to create a custom head.
— Can I track with my custom 3D model?
Yes, you can import Wavefront (.obj), FBX and Collada (.dae) files.
— How detailed should be the model?
Finer the model — better the tracking results would be. But it's advisable to keep a balance — 3D models with tens of thousands of polygons will require a lot of resources.
— Should a 3D-model perfectly fit the object that I want to track?
In an ideal case — yes. But GeoTracker is smart enough to track a car even with a cube. Hint: try using the built-in primitives for tasks where precision is not critical.
— Can I export the built-in 3D model from GeoTracker?
Yes, starting from the version 2023.1 — find the export button in GeoTracker's main preference pane.
— Do I need markers to make tracking with GeoTracker work?
No, you don't need anything like that. But having markers can improve tracking results because they'll work as distinct features that are easy to follow.
— Can GeoTracker track objects with even/uniform/feature-less textures or objects without visible textures?
In future we plan to add edge-based tracking, but for now — the object in the frame should have at least some texture.
— Can GeoTracker handle occlusions, reflective, transparent or unfixed parts?
Usually — yes, that's not a problem. But to improve the results, you can use 2D masks to exclude the confusing parts of the video from tracking. Starting from the version 2023.1, you can also employ 3D masks to exclude unneeded polygons of the 3D model from tracking without modifying the geometry. Watch our tutorial to learn masking.
— How to use the tracking results?
You can export 2D and 3D Nulls and link other layers to them. You can link other composition parts directly to GeoTracker's Transformation and Rotation parameters in the Results section. The same works with Element 3D, Cinema 4D, Stardust and so on. Please watch and read our tutorials!