3D Tracking Enhancements in SynthEyes for Proficient After Effects Artists
SynthEyes, a popular tool for camera tracking and lens distortion correction, has released an updated version, SynthEyes 2024.1, bringing significant new features and updates tailored for After Effects users.
Advanced Lens Distortion Plugin for After Effects
The highlight of the update is the introduction of an Advanced Lens Distortion Plugin, a GPU-accelerated pixel shader designed specifically for After Effects. This plugin can both apply and correct lens distortions, including those from CGI or wide-angle footage. Although similar free GPU lens distortion tools exist, the one integrated with SynthEyes 2024.1 stands out for its compatibility and functionality that are tailored to After Effects workflows.
3D Mesh and Texture Support
SynthEyes 2024.1 also introduces support for 3D meshes and textures. This allows users to import, manipulate, and integrate complex 3D geometry and textured models into their After Effects compositions. This feature enables more intricate scene reconstruction, improved visual effects integration, and greater creative flexibility within a primarily 2D compositing environment.
Enhanced Plugin Capabilities
The plugin capabilities have been updated to include improvements in performance and workflow efficiency. CUDA acceleration for faster computations, point cloud clean-up features, and more exhaustive matching algorithms have been added. These enhancements benefit users working on complex animations and camera tracking projects by improving tracking accuracy and speed.
Availability and Compatibility
SynthEyes 2024.1 is available for download via the Boris FX Hub. The update is free for current customers with the 2024 release and Boris FX RLM licensing.
To use the new features, After Effects users need to set the AE version selector to "Beta after 2024.1" in SynthEyes. This update also supports Multi-Frame Rendering (MFR) on both Windows and macOS, a feature not mentioned in the guide provided by product manager, Harry Frank.
Guide for Using the New Features
For those who need guidance on how to use the new After Effects export options in SynthEyes 2024.1, Harry Frank has provided a comprehensive guide. The Advanced Distortion plugin, for example, streamlines undistorted and re-distorted workflows in After Effects, supporting all lens models, animated distortion, and off-center lenses. It also allows for 3D meshes and textures to be exported directly into After Effects.
With these updates, SynthEyes 2024.1 provides After Effects animators and VFX artists with more powerful tools for lens distortion handling, 3D data utilization, and accelerated tracking workflows inside the After Effects ecosystem.
Technology and data-and-cloud-computing play a crucial role in the SynthEyes 2024.1 update. The Advanced Lens Distortion Plugin, incorporated into the update, is a testament to data-and-cloud-computing advancements, as it harnesses the power of GPU shaders for efficient lens distortion correction in After Effects. Furthermore, the plugin's integration with 3D meshes and textures underscores the increasing importance of cloud-based rendering solutions, as it allows users to integrate complex 3D geometry and textured models into their After Effects compositions with greater ease.
