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Step 15: Because all of the other option information is retained, all you need to do is run the Analysis again.
You shouldn’t have to wait long as the speed improvements make analyzing even complex motion clips a brief wait. When you are satisfied with the results, click the Apply button, and close the Layer window.[an error occurred while processing this directive]If you press the R key on the keyboard, you will see rotation keyframes have been applied to every frame of the layer.
Step 17: Make another RAM preview and notice that your once shaky shot is now solid as a rock.
| Results of Position and Rotation Stabilization |
Only one problem remains and that is the frame drift that occurs. Unfortunately, this drifting is going to occur anytime you stabilize a shot. In some cases it will be very minor, but in this example, where our videographer didn’t use a tripod, the drift is quite large. This is the compromise you or your producer will have to make – have a steady shot, or lose some portion of the clip.
Step 18: The only solution in this case is to scale the layer to cover the drift. Scroll through the Timeline to find the point where the frame drift is at its maximum.
Press the S key on the keyboard to activate the Scale properties of the layer and increase the size just enough to get rid of any unwanted space. A value of 111% should do it.
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| With stabilization and scale applied the shot is now near perfect. |
Step 19: Make one last RAM preview to see your results. A tripod with a dozen sandbags holding it down couldn’t have done better.
| The final results. |
Now that you have an idea of how to stabilize a shot with After Effects 6.0, experiment with the footage and apply stabilization to only a portion of the shot (setting In and Out Points or just positioning the Timeline indicator at an appropriate spot), try different options, and of course practice with some of your own footage.
In the next installment, we’ll look at how to Track Motion and apply that data to another layer in the composition.
When not working deep in the labs of the DMN Central Division testing the latest and greatest software/hardware products Stephen Schleicher can be found at the local university teaching a few courses on video and web production. He can be reached at schleicher@mindspring.com. You can also visit him on the web at www.mindspring.com/~schleicher
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