Make a Line Follow a Tracking Point | After Effects Tutorial

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to make a line follow a tracking point in Adobe After Effects. This technique is useful for tracking moving objects and creating fake UI elements. By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a clear understanding of how to set up tracking points and connect them to visual elements.

Step 1: Set Up Your Composition

• Open Adobe After Effects and import your video footage.
• Create a new composition from the selected footage.
• Ensure that your Tracker panel is open. You can find it on the right side of the screen.

Step 2: Create a Null Object for Tracking

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Alt + Y to create a new null object or go to Layer > New > Null Object.
• Rename this null object to "Tracking Point".

Step 3: Apply Motion Tracking

• With your video layer selected, click on "Track Motion" in the Tracker panel.
• Adjust the inner bounding box to cover the area you want to track (e.g., the corner of a person's eye).
• Adjust the outer bounding box to define the search area for the tracking point.
• Choose a tracking point with high contrast for better results.

Step 4: Track the Motion

• Zoom out if necessary to see the tracking point clearly.
• Click the "Track Forward" button to track the motion. You can also track backwards if needed.
• Ensure that the tracking point follows the desired object throughout the selected footage.

Step 5: Apply the Tracking Data

• After tracking, right-click on the video layer and select "Edit Target".
• Choose the "Tracking Point" null object as the target and click OK.
• Click "Apply" to apply the motion tracking data to the null object in both X and Y dimensions.

Step 6: Create a Visual Element

• Use the Ellipse tool to create a circle that will represent the tracking point visually.
• Adjust the stroke width and position the circle over the tracked point (the corner of the eye).

Step 7: Link the Visual Element to the Tracking Point

• Rename the shape layer to "Circle".
• Use the Pick Whip tool to link the Circle layer to the Tracking Point null object. The circle will now follow the tracked point.

Step 8: Create the Beam Effect

• Create a new solid layer and name it "Beam".
• Go to the Effects and Presets panel, search for "Beam", and apply it to the solid layer.
• Set the beam length to 100% for full visibility.

Step 9: Configure the Beam's End Point

• With the solid layer selected, go to the Beam's End Point settings.
• Press P on the Tracking Point layer to reveal its position.
• Use the Pick Whip tool to link the beam's endpoint to the position of the Tracking Point. This allows the beam to follow the tracking point dynamically.

Step 10: Final Adjustments

• Position the other end of the beam where you want it to stay static (e.g., near the person's name).
• Adjust the beam's length and visual properties as needed (e.g., change color, softness).

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully created a line that follows a moving tracking point in After Effects. This technique can be adapted for various projects, such as creating UI elements or tracking other objects. Experiment with different visuals and effects to enhance your projects further. For more tips and tricks, consider subscribing to content creators who focus on After Effects tutorials.