Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/407863
66 CINEMONTAGE / NOV-DEC 14 66 CINEMONTAGE / NOV-DEC 14 TECH TIPS NEW IN VERSION 4 Now let's examine some of the innovative features that are new in version 4. First, mocha Pro 4 has a new Stereoscopic 3D workflow, allowing users to analyze differences between both left and right camera streams and solve for the disparity. This can then be applied when tracking, camera solving, and using the object remove module and image stabilization. In other words, mocha Pro's planar tracker can do multi-stream image analysis, which automatically detects and keeps track of the difference between both eyes, allowing tracking and roto tasks to be done on uncorrected footage. The outcome is that a lot less manual keyframing is needed for both solving tracks and creating roto shapes on stereoscopic footage. In the past, when working with typical stereoscopic production workflows, one would first correct the footage — such as its vertical alignment and other differences between the right and left eyes — before doing any tracking or roto work. While mocha has always played nicely with After Effects, version 4 now also allows for the pasting of roto masks directly into Premiere Pro timelines. This is useful to isolate elements, or to selectively blur or color- correct areas in the shot. Now editors as well as visual effects artists can enjoy the benefits of mocha. Version 4 also improves QuickTime and MPEG support. Advanced visual effects production workflows in facilities that utilize Python scripting can now more deeply integrate mocha 4 into their pipelines, thanks to newly added support for Python scripting. An example of this might be to integrate mocha Pro 4 with an asset management system or to allow technical directors to automate mocha Pro tasks. Also new in mocha Pro 4 is an improved user interface as well as high- resolution retina display support. mOCHA PLUS If you are a freelance visual effects artist and might not need all the features offered by mocha Pro, Imagineer Systems has released a version of mocha just for you called mocha Plus (see Figure 3). As you may be aware, every version of After Effects comes with a free version of mocha called mocha AE CC, which allows for planar tracking and rotoscoping inside of After Effects. While this might do for some projects, mocha AE CC lacks many features, like advanced modules for object removal and 3D tracking. In addition, it only works with After Effects CC, so if you're using another program like NUKE, you won't be able to export the tracking and shape data to another program. The new mocha Plus 4 is a nice option for those who want more features than mocha AE CC — yet don't need everything that mocha Pro has to offer. Like Pro, it also has powerful features such as planar tracking and roto tools, as well as professional visual effects modules like the 3D camera solver, lens correction tools and support for copying and pasting mocha roto masks directly into Premiere Pro. In addition, there are increased export options. CONCLUSION If you don't already own it, mocha Pro 4 (and mocha Plus) will no doubt prove to be an important program in your visual effects pipeline and occupy a place in the go-to category of software in your toolbox. Any project that requires tracking and roto work will benefit from its advanced features and could save many hours of tedious work. If you are currently using version 3, it is a worthy upgrade. After Effects CC users can upgrade to mocha Plus for $195, or to mocha Pro 4 for $795. New users can purchase mocha Pro 4 for $1,495. More information can be found on Imagineer Systems' website: www. imagineersystems.com/. f Figure 3: mocha Plus offers much of the power of mocha Pro, such as layers, planar tracking, lens tools and camera solving.