By Nino Del Padre. Published Oct 7, 2014 on studiodaily.com
Overall Rating = HOT
Summary: mocha is award-winning tracking software developed by Imagineer Systems. Built upon a renowned planar-tracking image engine, mocha follows pixel patterns through the most difficult conditions, including objects that go off-screen, objects that are partially obscured, and even out-of-focus footage.
Target Applications: Editors, colorists and effects artists. mocha Pro has advanced modules for object removal, 3D tracking, stabilization and more. mocha Plus (formerly named mocha AE v3) is a standalone utility for tracking and masking.
What's Cool: Advanced tools for stereo 3D, customizable keyboard shortcuts, Adobe Premiere Pro support, Python scripting, improved format support, and an umproved UI with high-resolution (retina) display support.
What's Missing: Nothing.
System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.7 or higher on Intel; Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP Professional SP2 or higher, Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, on x64; Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, CentOS 5 or a compatible Linux distribution on x86_64
What It Costs You: $1,495 for Mocha Pro 4 (or $795 for an upgrade); $245 for Mocha Plus (or $195 for an upgrade)
Motion-tracking is an increasingly important part of the editorial toolkit. If your workload is anything like mine, I'm sure you've had to replace something in a shot, like a sign, logo or billboard. Or perhaps you needed to do screen-replacement on an iPhone or tablet computer in a scene. Motion-tracking tools track those objects as they move through a clip, allowing you to make the necessary changes to the footage.
Most of us turn to the built-in point trackers in apps like Adobe After Effects to get these types of shots done. These tracking tools require a user to select points in the frame that remain consistent relative to the object being tracked throughout the entire shot. Point-tracking often runs into problems when an object is out of focus or obscured, or if it leaves and re-enters the frame. Often, getting good point tracks requires a mix of experience and luck.
You might also need to employ more advanced tracking techniques, such as using a 3D Camera Solver to integrating 3D characters or objects into live footage and set extensions, removing unwanted elements, wires, rigs and tracking marks, doing digital beauty work, camera and image stabilization or calibration and correction of lens distortion. Regardless of the type of tracking work you do, planar-tracking technology has many advantages over point trackers, and it requires less experience on your part to get a successful track.
Planar-tracking technology was invented by Imagineer Systems in 2001. It has a long and successful history of use on big features such as the Hobbit films, The Amazing Spider-Man and the Harry Potter series. Notably, in 2013 Imagineer's team was awarded a Scientific and Engineering Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the development of mocha.
Built upon Imagineer's planar-tracking image engine, mocha follows pixel patterns through the most difficult conditions and accurately follows translation, scale, rotation, skew and perspective. The newest version of the engine powers mocha Pro 4 and mocha Plus (formerly mocha AE). These new releases feature a slew of new tools to help with motion-tracking and rotoscoping. A new stereo 3D workflow adds stereo support to planar tracking, and Python scripting support allows facilities to further customize their workflows. Other features include a new customizable keyboard shortcut interface, support for Adobe Premiere Pro masks, Nuke 7 Tracker export and improved Nuke Roto exports, and an improved user interface with high-resolution retina display support.
Pro vs. Plus
mocha Plus and mocha Pro are separate, independent apps. mocha Pro is the flagship product with advanced modules for Object Removal, 3D tracking, Stabilization and more. It can export to most industry-standard formats including After Effects, Nuke, Flame and C4D. mocha Plus (formerly Mocha AE v3) is a standalone utility for tracking and masking with extra new features including support for After Effects, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Boris FX. You can find a full comparison on Imagineer's website.
Workflow
The user interface is easy to navigate. You start by importing your footage. You'll need to have the video clips you want to work with ready to go, and best practices dictate that you only import as much as you need. Long files can be time-consuming to process, slowing down the tracking.
In mocha Plus or mocha Pro, you first define the area you want to select by drawing a selection with X splines or bezier shape tools. In general, X splines work better for tracking, especially with perspective motion. You can be fairly loose with your spline - the Planar Tracker is intelligent enough to discard pixel movement that doesn't conform to the movement of the majority of the pixels within the shape. When you work with the mocha tools, you will need to look for planes in the clip. More specifically, you will need to look for planes that coincide with movements you want to track.
You then track forward or backward to capture its position throughout the clip, and mocha will automatically follow the object as it moves. If the track isn't quite right, there are many tools to help solve tracking challenges with pixel-perfect accuracy.
You can also access some additional tools related to screen replacement, object removal, advanced rotoscoping tools, stabilization, a 3D camera solver, the lens module for correcting and removing lens distortion, and powerful stereo 3D support.
Finally, you export the tracking information to the format of your choice. The software can export tracks to Adobe After Effects CS4 through
Most recent headlines
17/02/2025
TVBEurope talks to the team who brought a piece of broadcasting history back to life on BBC Wales last night
By Jenny Priestley
Published: February 14, 2025 ...
17/02/2025
Eligible studios will receive the relief directly from their local authorities, with no need to submit a claim
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 17, 20...
17/02/2025
As DEI initiatives come under pressure in the USA, supporters of Rise, which promotes diversity in the media and entertainment sector, discuss the continuing im...
17/02/2025
EIB Global loan will partially fund SES's continued O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit (MEO) fleet expansion enabling additional capacity worldwide. O3b mPOWER s...
15/02/2025
At Nielsen, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) play a critical role in nurturing a ...
15/02/2025
Innovation to empower creativity: Explore the latest in Lightroom
Rob Christensen February 15, 2025
0 Comments
Whether you want to remove distracting ...
15/02/2025
Wisycom, a worldwide leader in RF technology and provider of wireless solutions, announces a new distribution agreement with EQUAPHON. An Argentinian profession...
15/02/2025
DPA Microphones, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, is pleased to welcome Nicholas Nick Mariano and Vincent Vince Divine to the ...
15/02/2025
Tuxera, a leading provider of quality-assured file systems and networking solutions, will showcase how Tuxera Fusion SMB enables unprecedented performance for m...
15/02/2025
Bitmovin's latest Video Developer Report indicates an increasing role of AI, the slow adoption of next-generation codecs, and continuing challenges when it ...
15/02/2025
When Michelin Enterprises set out to promote its prestigious Hotel Guide in the new Sleepless in the Kitchen , campaign, veteran German/Slovenian gaffer Robert...
15/02/2025
Formula E, the world's first all-electric racing series, revolutionizing motorsport with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability has sele...
15/02/2025
Agile Content, a global leader in TV and video technology solutions, announces its rebranding to AgileTV.
The transition to AgileTV stems from a commitment to ...
15/02/2025
Hiltron Communications will promote the latest additions to its range of satellite communication products, systems and supporting services at GovSatCom 2025. Th...
15/02/2025
Following the success of the original Airglow Booklight, DoPchoice debuts a new addition to their inflatable line the Float. This lightweight, inflatable, round...
15/02/2025
LAS VEGAS Marshall Electronics has announced that it will debut its newest camera controller, the RCP Plus, at the 2025 NAB Show at Booth N2649 between April 5 ...
15/02/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has named Blake Sebo as the next general manager of KTUU and KYES, Gray's NBC and CBS affiliates in Anchorage, Alaska....
15/02/2025
KOKKEDAL, Denmark DPA Microphones will feature its new CORE+ technology for distortion-free microphone sound at the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, in Las Vegas....
15/02/2025
SWANSEA, U.K. QuickLink will launch StudioPro-NDI and StudioPro-3, two new models of its QuickLine StudioPro video production platform, at the 2025 NAB Show, Ap...
15/02/2025
Live From 2025 NBA All-Star Game Weekend: After 25 Years, Turner Sports All-In F...
15/02/2025
NASCAR Driver Cam on Max Embraces Cloud-Based Workflow for 2025 Season Chris Brown of WBD Sports says Mobii will play key part in delivering signals from the tr...
14/02/2025
Last month, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new m...
14/02/2025
From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & ...
14/02/2025
The future of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) land systems is evolving so that ...
14/02/2025
Here are 5 reasons why you should attend ISE 2025
Discover more about Calrec: Learn more about Calrec's legacy of innovation in broadcast audio solutions ...
14/02/2025
World Radio Day: On the same wavelength
By Graham Murray, International Sales Manager at Calrec
To mark World Radio Day, Calrec's International Sales Ma...
14/02/2025
DALLAS and TYSONS, Va. Tegna has concluded a broadcast rights agreement that makes Tegna's KFAA in Dallas the exclusive local television partner of the Dall...
14/02/2025
Amazon's Prime Video has released a new app for Apple TV that the streamer said delivers an improved streaming experiences with faster scrolling, improved s...
14/02/2025
CLEVELAND Telos Alliance announced a software update for its Axia Quasar XR and SR line of audio-over-IP (AoIP) mixing consoles and will show the offering at th...
14/02/2025
Puget Systems Returns to HPA Tech Retreat 2025 with New Analysis Tools for Puge...
14/02/2025
Glass Animals: Tour of Earth Uses Blackmagic Live Production Workflow
Brie Clayton February 14, 2025
0 Comments
80six deploys Blackmagic URSA Broadcas...
14/02/2025
A dispute between Paramount and Youtube TV that would have pulled CBS stations and Paramount's cable channels from the streaming service has been temporaril...
14/02/2025
Colourist Deidre (Dee) McClelland details how she helped shape the distinct look and feel of whimsical Oscar-nominated stop-motion film, Memoir of a Snail
By C...
14/02/2025
BitFire said it intends to introduce forward-looking services that simplify the launch of live production workflows, and enhance real-time collaboration
By Jen...
14/02/2025
The claim by the liquidators is the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the companys collapse at the end of 2021
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 14, ...
14/02/2025
A carriage dispute between YouTube TV and Paramount could come to a head today (Feb. 13), with the virtual pay TV provider threatening to pull all of the progra...
14/02/2025
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. LG Electronics USA has opened a new in-house, state-of-the-art virtual production studio at its 360,000-square-foot North American headqu...
14/02/2025
NEW YORK In a bid to help local broadcasters find new ways of monetizing their content, the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and TVB have relea...
14/02/2025
WASHINGTON Three Democratic U.S. Senators have sent a stern letter blasting FCC Chair Brendan Carr for the weaponization of the agency for attacking broadcast...
14/02/2025
Years after launching the streaming service Apple TV+ in November of 2019, Apple has finally released a version of its steaming app for Android devices....
14/02/2025
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. Red Digital Cinema will make its V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems available with Nikon's premier Z Mount, providing filmmaker...
14/02/2025
DAYTONA, Fla. The Fox Sports production of this year's Daytona 500 will see the addition of a few new tech elements and the continued unfolding of the broad...
14/02/2025
Watch Bryson Battles Blind Audition on The Voice Get a Four-Chair Turn Michael Bubl said the Boston Conservatory at Berklee musical theater senior might have...
14/02/2025
2025 Daytona 500: FOX Sports Looks To Ride Super Bowl LIX Momentum Into NASCAR S...
14/02/2025
14 Feb 2025
VEON's Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation Raise USD 2....
14/02/2025
Max Renews THE PITT, Starring Noah Wyle, For A Second Season
Max
Warner Bros. Television Group
The Pitt
New Episodes Of The Medical Drama From John...
14/02/2025
This year, Technicolor proudly celebrates 110 years of shaping the magic of cinema pioneering color, visual effects, and innovation that bring unforgettable l...
14/02/2025
NBA All-Star: More Games, More Teams, More Music, More Sound From the Court Turner Sports' team will deploy familiar tech to capture all the audio By Dan D...
14/02/2025
LIV Golf Continues To Innovate With Drones, Data-Driven Graphics, and All-Access...
By Nino Del Padre. Published Oct 7, 2014 on studiodaily.com
