Recording and playback of tracking data
For post production workflows or just for “offline” testing, Pixotope offers the ability to record tracking data based on video timecode.
How it works
When recording camera tracking is started, the camera tracking data is saved together with the video timecode. In playback mode, the same tracking data is reapplied if it finds the same video timecode coming in from a video playback source.
Requirements
A device which allows recording and playing back video with embedded timecode.
The timecode used for the recording should be a continuous, synchronous “time-of-day” timecode, rather than a specific asynchronous timecode such as is used for triggering an event. The aim is for recorded timecode for tracking to be unique within any 24 hour period. This allows the system to automatically match incoming timecode to any recorded tracking data for any specific day.
How to record tracking data
Via the control panel
Download the control panel below and copy it to
[Project folder]/Content/
Open the control panel from the launch panel in Director
Click START to start save the tracking data - See "Location of recorded tracking data" below

OR create one yourself
Expose/Star "Record Camera Tracking Data" and "Use Recorded Tracking Data" in World Settings > Pixotope World > Recording Configuration
Create a new control panel
Add two 2-state-button widgets
Link them via applying the exposed actions to it
Learn more about Creating a control panel - PRODUCTION
Via the Editor
Go to World Settings > Pixotope World > Recording Configuration
Enable "Record Camera Tracking Data" to save the tracking data - See "Location of recorded tracking data" below

Location of recorded tracking data
The tracking data is saved to .ptrk
files in today’s directory within the current project on the local machine.
[Project folder]/Saved/RecordedTracking/[Computer name]/[Date(YYYY.MM.DD)]
There is currently no way to change this location.
How to play back recorded tracking data
Via the control panel
See above
Via the Editor
Specify the directory the recorded tracking data should be read from:
Use Today’s Directory (default selection)
Use Custom Directory
point to a directory or specific file
enter an absolute path or relative to
[Project folder]/Saved/RecordedTracking
for recording in a multi-machine setup use
${MACHINE_NAME}
which will be replaced by the local machine name
Enable "Use Recorded Tracking Data" in World Settings > Pixotope World > Recording Configuration
When playing back, tracking data is not recorded regardless of the Record Camera Tracking Data
setting.

If activated, the option Use Today's Directory
overrides the Tracking Recording Source
setting to read from whichever directory the current computer would have recorded to today.
Limitations
When a video format uses the same timecode for multiple video frames/fields the first reads after starting to play after a pause or jump in video might be incorrect
Recording and playback will not work with with distortion model Ncam Map, use Ncam Cinelens instead. This is the default distortion model for Ncam tracking input.