Re: Any intelligent masking tools?

Not sure what tape it's on, but on my DVD series there is a lesson entitled "tracking rotosplining." That's what you want.

But it's simple to understand. Roto an image - just one frame. Then switch to the tracker, and track the points you would like to use (in theory one for each CV). So say you roto'd a box - well, you'd have a 4 point spline and 4 tracking points.

Then in the roto palette, select the one point on your spline you would like to add the tracking data to, and click apply tracker. Then just make sure you select the option for "selected points only." Apply your tracking data (x and y).

This is all off the top of my head, so don't quote me - but it's something like that. You just have to make sure your image will return usable tracking data - which isn't "normal" by any stretch of the imagination.

Other programs have this ability. In Shake, there is a way to modify a script so that you apply tracking data to an individual point (it's more for advanced users). That has limited functionality.

In flame, it's easy to track an individual point, and you can use the "Tracer" function to automatically track and key an object, which would be similar to what you are talking about. This is usable but I've had very limited success with it - it's more meant for tough bluescreens.

Another similar program is Mokey, which sets up an automated "roto" that in effect is really more of a roto/key hybrid that uses tracking data. It's probably the closest thing to what you are after. But it's incredibly slow, computer intensive, and I have yet to have success with it on a real job. Although it will do the tutorials just fine! It's also quite expensive.

2D3 is developing a program called pixeldust that is supposed to be similar to mokey. If they would ever bring it out!!

After Effects has that inner/outer key... but I'm not for sure that you can assign tracking data to individual points in AE. And, generally speaking, inner outer key sucks for 99% of all shots...

But all in all - these products offer success in only certain situations (they are all more automated keying rather than true roto).

You'll be hard pressed to find a competent substitute for a manual roto, but the person who invents it is sitting on a goldmine!

-J