Boris FX's industry-leading planar tracking and rotoscoping software – uses proprietary planar motion tracking technology to follow flat surfaces in footage, enabling accurate screen replacements, stabilization, object removal, and rotoscopy with significantly less manual keyframing.
What is Mocha?
Mocha is a specialized tracking and rotoscoping software by Boris FX. Its unique planar tracking technology tracks flat surfaces instead of individual points, enabling more robust tracking even in challenging situations.
Basic Principles
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Method | Planar Tracking |
| Manufacturer | Boris FX |
| Focus | Tracking, Roto |
| Integration | Plugin + Standalone |
Product Variants
| Version | Description |
|---|---|
| Mocha Pro | Full version, Standalone |
| Mocha AE | After Effects Plugin |
| Mocha Plugin | For various hosts |
| Mocha HitFilm | HitFilm Integration |
Planar Tracking
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Principle | Surface Tracking |
| Advantage | More robust than point tracking |
| Works with | Motion blur, partial occlusion |
| Output | Transform data |
Core Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Planar Track | Track surfaces |
| Roto | Shape-based masks |
| Insert | Screen/sign replacement |
| Remove | Object removal |
Tracking Workflow
| Step | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 | X-Spline around tracking surface |
| 2 | Track forward/backward |
| 3 | Export data |
| 4 | Apply in host |
Applications
| Task | Example |
|---|---|
| Screen Replace | Phone, monitor, TV |
| Sign Replace | Logos, signs |
| Stabilization | Shaky footage |
| Object Remove | Unwanted elements |
Rotoscoping
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| X-Splines | Flexible curves |
| Auto-Adjust | Tracking-based |
| Edge Refinement | Detail work |
| Export | As matte |
Export Formats
| Format | Target |
|---|---|
| After Effects | Keyframe data |
| Nuke | CornerPin, Roto |
| Final Cut | Plug-in based |
| Generic | Various DCCs |
Mocha Pro Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 3D Camera Solver | Camera track |
| PowerMesh | Deformable tracking |
| Insert Module | Integrated composites |
| Remove Module | Object removal |
PowerMesh
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Function | Deformable tracking |
| Application | Skin, clothing, flags |
| Technology | Sub-planar mesh |
| Output | Warp data |
Insert Module
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Compositing | Within Mocha itself |
| Motion Blur | Render possible |
| Mesh Warp | With PowerMesh |
| Preview | Real-time |
Remove Module
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Clean Plate | Creation |
| Temporal | Frame interpolation |
| Illumination | Lighting matching |
| Manual | Correction tools |
Host Integration
| Software | Integration |
|---|---|
| After Effects | Plugin, Copy/Paste |
| Nuke | Plugin, Export |
| Premiere | Plugin |
| DaVinci Resolve | OFX Plugin |
Workflow with After Effects
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Launch | Launch from AE |
| Track | Work in Mocha |
| Copy | Tracking data |
| Paste | Apply in AE |
Workflow with Nuke
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Export | From Mocha Pro |
| Import | Into Nuke |
| CornerPin | Tracking node |
| Roto | Shape import |
Tips for Good Tracking
| Tip | Reason |
|---|---|
| Large area | More data |
| High contrast | Better features |
| In-plane | Tracking surface parallel |
| Occlusion matte | Mask occlusion |
Challenges
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Featureless | Larger area |
| Motion blur | Robust tracking |
| Occlusion | Hold-out mattes |
| Rotation | Adjust perspective |
Comparison with Point Tracking
| Aspect | Mocha | Point Tracking |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Planar | Individual points |
| Motion blur | Robust | Problematic |
| Occlusion | Tolerant | Loses track |
| Learning | Steeper | Easier |
Shortcuts
| Key | Function |
|---|---|
| X | X-Spline Tool |
| T | Track |
| S | Transform Tool |
| Tab | Cycle Tools |
Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Track layer separately | Not on roto |
| Large search area | Better results |
| Check keyframes | Quality control |
| Test export | Before proceeding |
Today
Mocha is an industry standard for planar tracking and rotoscoping. Its PowerMesh technology for deformable tracking has significantly expanded its capabilities. From simple screen replacements to complex VFX shots, Mocha's tracking technology saves countless hours of manual work in post-production.