Are you able to track a still image in after effects

[jsullivan59]

Hi guys,

I'm new to after effects and have been playing around with the 3d motion. I have a picture of a gate which ive made 3d with masks so it looks like the gate opens, ive then added a camera which goes through the gate as they open, i wanted to add text either side of the gate as the camera goes through the opening gate. i know this is possible to use the track camera to fix text onto videos so it moves with the camera but is it possbile to do the same with a still image? When i go to select the track camrea anitmaion it is greyed out.

[Jose Panadero · Accepted solution]

Tracking tools use motion in video clips to create translation data so it is not possible to track a still image. If you re using a 3D camera, then you can use 3D Layers in your 3D space to get the same movement you apply to your camera.

[jsullivan59]

Thanks Jose, how would i fix the text to the gate as it opens if i cant use the tracking tools?

[Jose Panadero]

You can use the 3D layer rotation to create the same movement. As you are saying that you have animated your layer using masks, another option is to add the Corner Pin Effect (or the CC Power Pin Effect) to your text layer and animate the corner pins to adapt the perspective to the door.

[Rick Gerard]

All you have to do is parent the text layers to the gate layer. Shift + Parent will snap any 3D layer to the same position, scale, rotation, and orientation of the parent layer. I use this all the time.