Notice the settings in the Tracker panel: Metronome.mov is selected in the Motion Source menu.
The Current Track is Tracker 1, and the Motion Target is Shape Layer 1, because After Effects
automatically sets the Motion Target to the layer immediately above the source layer.
Now, you’ll position your track point.
3. Using the Selection tool ( ), move the Track Point 1 indicator (drag the empty portion of
the inner box) in the Layer panel over the metronome weight.
4. Enlarge the search region (the outer box) to encompass the area around the pendulum. Then
adjust the feature region (the inner box) within the weight.Note
In this exercise, you want the star to move atop the metronome weight. However, if
you wanted an object to move in relationship to the tracked area but not on top of it,
you could reposition the attach point accordingly.Analyzing and applying tracking
Now that the search and feature regions are defined, you can apply the tracker.
1. Click the Analyze Forward button ( ) in the Tracker panel. Watch the analysis to ensure the
track point stays with the metronome weight. If it doesn’t, press the spacebar to stop the
analysis, and reposition the feature region. (See the sidebar “Checking for drift.”)
2. When the analysis is complete, click the Apply button.