Operation Mode
Chooses whether the node is tracking, stabilizing, corner-pinning or producing another planar result.
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TrackingIntermediate
Planar Tracker
Surface tracking and corner pin
Tracks a flat textured region and solves translation, rotation, scale and perspective for screen replacements and attached graphics.
Planar Tracker
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
Planar Tracker follows an area rather than a single feature, making it ideal for signs, screens, walls, cards and other roughly planar surfaces.
Overview
What Planar Tracker does
Planar Tracker analyzes a region of texture and estimates how that surface moves through the shot. It is usually more stable than a single point when the goal is to attach graphics to a broad surface.
The tracked region does not need to be a perfect rectangle. What matters is that the selected area belongs to the same plane and contains enough stable detail.
After tracking, the solve can be used for corner-pin style insertion, planar transform data, stabilization or match movement.
Mental model
Imagine taping a transparent sheet to a wall: Planar Tracker learns how that sheet moves and deforms in perspective.
Common uses
Screen replacement
Attach graphics to signs
Track a wall or floor plane
Planar stabilization
Corner-pin inserts
Text reveals tied to a surface
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Input
Source image for the operation.
Effect Mask
Optional mask that limits where the node affects the image.
Planar Tracker
Fusion node
Output
The source image with planar tracking data available for downstream operations.
Planar Transform
The processed result from this node.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Reference Time
Sets the frame that represents the undistorted reference state of the tracked plane.
Pattern
Defines the planar region used for analysis.
Draw the spline around detail that belongs to one surface and moves together.
Tracker
Configures the tracking method used for the planar solve.
Motion Type
Chooses which kinds of motion the planar solve is allowed to model.
Use the simplest motion model that still describes the shot reliably.
Output
Chooses which result the Planar Tracker outputs.
Track Channel
Chooses the image channel used to analyse the planar surface.
Tracking
Runs or controls tracking for the selected planar region.
Trimming
Trims the valid tracking range without rebuilding the entire solve.
Show Splines in Editor
Shows the planar tracking splines in the Viewer while you work.
Create Planar Transform
Creates a PlanarTransform node from the current planar solve.
Use the new node when you want to reuse the solved motion elsewhere without carrying the full tracker.
Darken Image
Darkens the Viewer image so splines and tracking overlays are easier to see.
Show Track Markers
Shows planar tracking markers in the Viewer.
Show Trails
Shows motion trails for the planar tracking markers.
Trail Length
Sets how many frames of tracking history are displayed in the trails.
Inlier Color
Sets the Viewer color for inlier markers accepted by the planar solve.
Outlier Color
Sets the Viewer color for rejected or outlier markers.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Pick a frame where the plane is clear.
- 2
Draw the tracking region over textured detail on that plane.
- 3
Choose the appropriate motion model.
- 4
Track forward and backward.
- 5
Inspect for occlusions or drift.
- 6
Apply the solve to a Planar Transform, corner pin or stabilization workflow.
Typical node chain
MediaIn→
Planar Tracker→
Merge→
MediaOut
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Screen replacement
Track the device screen and apply the motion to replacement content.
MediaInPlanar TrackerReplacement graphicMerge
Tracked title reveal
Use planar motion to keep a reveal aligned with a surface.
Planar TrackerText+Merge
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Including objects from different depth planes inside the tracking region.
Using Perspective when the shot only needs simple translation and making the solve less stable.
Tracking through heavy occlusion without correcting or rethinking the region.
Production notes
Practical tips
Choose texture that belongs to one physical plane.
A smaller clean region can beat a large contaminated region.
Solve the motion first; style the inserted graphic after the track is solid.
Related nodes