Expert: Andre Hickman - 9/23/2006

Question
hello Andre
I am an aerial photographer.
I have shot a video segment using a stabilized video camera from a helicopter.
I have run the segment through Realviz MatchMover to get camera and track information.
I also have a 3d model of a building I need to embed in the video.
Could you please point me the way to learn how to do that in 3d studio max?
thanks
beni

Answer
WoW!!! That sounds like fun! I've never used MatchMover, and I have never IMPORTED camera data into 3D Max. I always have done the reverse, and imported the data into After Effects, or something. I don't know if you can even import data for cameras like that...

The reason being, 3D Max has it's own motion tracker.  You can track multiple points in video that is used as a background image, and then implement your CG in the frames.

You can find your camera tracker in the Utilities roll-out (the Hammer Icon)...click on camera tracker (NOT CAMERA MATCH) and it gives you the ability to select the footage, 3d camera, etc....then create motion trackers.

Once you get your camera data working, then you want to use the video footage as a "background" in your scene, and put your building in place, and you are on your way!!! if you need shadows on the land, etc., you will want to create a material with a "screened" texture map using the video footage, and use it on your plane or mesh that is representing the surface of land or surrounding buildings.

If you need Camera Tracker help, try using the Max User reference help, in the software, and then "search" for "camera tracker."   I just looked at the help that they have on it, and it's pretty thorough.

So, I don't think that you need RealViz data, unless you are going to match something special in After Effects, or something like that.  3D Max and 3D Viz are pretty much self contained in that area.  

I hope this helps. Let me know if you need anymore help.

Cheers,
Andre'