The Pixel Farm Announce PFTRACK V 3.0

Press Release

The Pixel Farm Annouce PFTRACK V 3.0

30 Major New Tools And Enhancements Makes PFTrack The Pick Of The Herd

Windsor UK. 3 March 2005. The Pixel Farm, a company focused on innovation in the field of high-end digital post-production, is pleased to announce the release of PFTrack V3.0. PFTrack, already the most advanced camera tracking solution available, now reaches new heights of operability with over 30 new features including advanced object tracking, geometry tracking, editable f curves, imbedded image based modelling tools and automatic z depth extraction.

Version 3.0 can now track many separate moving objects within a sequence, as well as solving camera motion issues - users simply export data from tracking groups, whether it’s camera data, object movement or motion-capture sessions. With the addition of the unique geometry tracking, V3.0 now allows 3D geometry to be imported into PFTrack and then matched to sequences, making this an ideal tool for head and facial replacement meaning artists can now be confident that animated CG, when rendered and composited, will exactly match the live action. Complex Geometry can be imported and used to solve cameras in addition to the use of automatic or user placed features. This is perfect for problematic shots or for fast head or face replacement. The new camera solver in version 3.0 is now much faster enables the software to deal with the most complex of shots.

New fully editable F Curves within PFTrack make cleaning up tracking data extremely easy and accurate. You can quickly view and edit each individual property of the camera within a graph editor in the timeline – curves can be represented by both linear and Bezier splines and simply smoothed or edited using the tools provided. Once edited, the new camera solver quickly produces a new camera without the need to totally re solve every parameter in the sequence.

The, new, fully integrated image based modelling capabilities allow users to quickly build up 3D environments by using the background image as a guide. Previously this has only been available as a stand alone system, so the improved image based modelling tools in V3.0 provide an integrated environment which delivers a much more flexible solution. Perfect for pre-visualisation and animation guidance, textured models can be exported to all major 3D applications.

Integrated Z depth extraction tools assign depth data, on a per pixel basis, to sequences for exporting as a grey map. This data can be viewed within PFTrack, in 3D, using the new orthographic view options which can then be broken down into any number of layers.

“With PFTrack V3.0 we have taken tracking technology to new levels” Richard Spöhrer Managing Director of The Pixel Farm stated. “With the software in use now in so many major facilities, we have been able to roll in numerous feature requests in this release as well as implementing some major new technology. PFTrack is now seen as a key production tool and even in its pre release version V 3.0 is hard at work on a number of major films in production.”

Key New Features

Object tracking
Model tracking
Editable F Curves
New Camera Solver
Integrated Z depth extraction
New Optical Flow tools include the ability to view rouge motion vectors
Semi automatic lens distortion correction
Integrated image based modelling tools
Reference frame support
New Keyer
Enhanced Interface
New import/export options including Roto Splines
New image manipulation tools
Ability to snap test objects to features

Pricing and Availability

Shipping in March 2005, PFTrack 3.0 be available free for current PFTrack user under support or for £3000, $5000, €4500 for a full commercial license and £100, $200, €150 and for a student or academic licence.

Upgrade from earlier versions cost £600, $1100, €900.

For more information on PFTrack, other PF products visit www.thepixelfarm.co.uk

About The Pixel Farm

The Pixel Farm was formed in 2002 to provide innovative solutions for digital compositing. Based in the UK, with a very strong focus on research and development, The Pixel Farm work with customers on key projects to ensure PF products match the needs of the production environment.

By utilising its industry experience and working with some of the best researchers and developers in the world, The Pixel Farm ensures it is always one step ahead of the competition. The Pixel Farm looks to integrate best of breed technologies into a focused collaborative environment.

For more information on The Pixel Farm and its products contact: info@thepixelfarm.co.uk