Tracking overlays

Tracking helps an overlay follow motion in the footage. Use it when a sticker, label, arrow, or blur needs to stay attached to a moving subject.

What can be tracked

Eligible targets include:

• Stickers.
• Text.
• Graphics.
• Images.

Tracking is position-oriented: it focuses on moving an overlay with a target area over time.

When to use tracking

Use tracking for:

• A label that follows a product.
• An arrow that points to a moving object.
• A sticker that follows a face.
• A blur or mask that follows sensitive information.
• A logo or callout attached to an object.

Do not use tracking when a simple static overlay or two manual keyframes are enough.

Prepare the clip

Tracking works best when:

• The target is visible for the full tracked section.
• The target has contrast.
• Motion is not too fast.
• The target does not leave frame.
• The camera does not cut away mid-track.

If the shot is long, split it into smaller sections before tracking.

Add an overlay before tracking

1. Add text, a sticker, graphic, or image.
2. Place it near the target on the first frame.
3. Trim the overlay so it only covers the section you want to track.
4. Select the overlay.

Tracking follows the selected overlay's timeline duration.

Run tracking

1. Select the overlay.
2. Open the right properties panel.
3. Click Tracking.
4. Choose or draw the target area in the preview.
5. Start tracking.
6. Wait for the tracking pass to finish.
7. Press play and inspect the result.

Add screenshot later:

Fix tracking drift

If the overlay slowly slides away from the subject:

1. Shorten the overlay clip to a smaller range.
2. Re-run tracking on that range.
3. Use manual keyframes to correct drift points.
4. Pick a higher-contrast target area.
5. Avoid tracking through blur, cuts, or occlusions.

Combine tracking with masks

For a moving blur:

1. Duplicate the source video above the original.
2. Apply a blur effect to the duplicate.
3. Add a mask around the face, plate, or private information.
4. Use tracking to move the masked blur with the subject.
5. Preview frame by frame.

For a moving callout:

1. Add an arrow or label.
2. Track it to the product or UI area.
3. Add text next to it.
4. Group related overlays if needed.

Tracking vs keyframes

You can combine both: track first, then refine with keyframes.

Preview the result

After tracking:

1. Move the playhead before the tracked section.
2. Press Space.
3. Watch the overlay at full speed.
4. Step frame-by-frame at problem points.
5. Adjust or re-track only the bad section.

Troubleshooting

See also

• Stickers, graphics, and shapes
• Masks
• Keyframes and graph editor