Advice on this effect to create 3D boundary

[edz.n]

Hi all,

Hoping to get a continued push in the right direction here. 

I am wanting to create a similar effect on an aerial to show upscale/development of a property.  The aerial footage is just moving backwards slowly and it shows the outline of the property then the different levels come in. 

Where I am at is that I am using Mocha AE to create track data, then using the tracked data on a shape layer which will create the boundary.  I will then use the repeater and animate it in.  The tracking etc is fine, but it just doesn't look quite right in terms of 3d (I have checked the layer to be 3D). I feel like I'm missing a step perhaps?

Would this be the method of choice for experienced users or is there an alternatively more efficient way?

Thank you very much.

[Rick Gerard]

That shot is probably a better candidate for Camera Tracking. Mocha would probably require you to motion stabilize, corner pin, then put the motion back in the shot. 

[edz.n]

I have tracked an area that is on the same plane with Mocha, created a corner pin then used this tracked data on a pre-composed shape from a reference frame.  The reference frame is the part of the footage where the building is most visible and freeze frame to draw the boundary lines.

As for using Camera Tracking, would you create null from one of the 3d Camera track points and parent the boundary outline shape to the null?  I've never had much luck using camera track but perhaps it's because I don't choose the right points.

Thank you.

[edz.n]

Also, can anyone suggest how the boundary lines have some fading seperation where the lines intersect which gives it more of a 3d look? 

I'm having trouble visualising how I would use a mask without masking out some of the lines in the foreground?

[Mylenium]

Not much to figure out, really. At best it's Trapcode 3D stroke with repeating strokes, at worst simply a 3D animation completely unrelated to AE. All the tracking trickery in the world can't spare you that reality. Even if you are able to get a proper camera track on your footage, rendering the lines is a completely different thing.

Mylenium

[edz.n]

Thanks for your reply. 

Apologies, what are you suggesting? Should I look into trapcode 3D stroke? 

A track using mocha ae would do the job. The aerial is a slow movement forward do tracking the boundary wouldn't be tough. 

[Mylenium]

3DStroke would only be relevant if you do a camera track. Otherwise you'd still work your fingers off with animated masks. Assuming you did a camera track, the point would realyl be that 3DStroke could easily be tweaked to repeat a regular square in its 3D space. You'd only need to tweak the initial alignment. If you use mocha, you probably have better luck creating a single stroke and matching it to the footage and then using conventional effects like Motion Tile/ CC Kaleida to repeat it or manually duplicate and offset layers until it looks right. Not impossible to do, just more work.

Mylenium