Edit more efficiently and save a lot of time with Smart Object Tracking, intelligent, shape-aware motion tracking for masks applied on common objects. Now you can easily apply masks to objects in your video–from pets and cars, to drones, and more. There is no need to re-create masks for each frame because smart technology automates the process by recognizing the original masked object and tracks it throughout the selected episode. Only available in Pinnacle Studio 25 Ultimate.

In the tutorial series below, start with the basics of how to use Smart Object Tracking to mask and track objects, then learn how to apply this technique to specific projects like adding text behind objects, duplicating objects, or placing objects in a new scene.

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Using Object Detection for Mask Tracking

You can use object detection to help you apply a mask to a moving object in your video clips. Object detection uses artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize common objects and automatically track them throughout the video clip. If the object is detected, the mask is automatically adjusted from frame to frame. Fine-tuning is required if the object is obscured and tracking is lost at any point. If the object isn’t recognized, then you can edit the shape mask from frame to frame.

How to Use Object Detection for Mask Tracking

1. In the Timeline, select a clip that you want to mask, and click Mask to display the Mask panel. Click Create Clip Mask to add a mask directly to the clip.
2. In the Mask panel, click the Create Shape button.
3. In the Mask preview area of the Player panel, click the Brush tool. By default, the Smart Edge check box is enabled, so object edges will be auto-detected.
   Note: You can use any of the tools in the Brush flyout to select your object, and you can choose to unmark the Smart Edge check box if edge detection isn’t needed.
4. After your object is selected, click the Apply button.
5. In the Shape area, if the object is recognized, you can click the Track button (the button is not available if no object is recognized).
   Depending on the size and complexity of the clip and your computer system, it might take a few moments to process.
6. Review the tracked mask to see if any adjustments need to be made. Before making manual adjustments, you can try changing the Sensitivity setting (below the Track button). You can then click the Track button again to regenerate the tracking result. Lower Sensitivity values include more areas in the mask; higher values include less areas in the mask.
7. In the Mask panel, click the Function tab, and choose the Mask Properties that you want.

How to Edit a Shape Mask from Frame-to-Frame

• Create a shape mask.
  Note: If masking an irregular shape that is moving, it is recommended that you try using the Brush tool with Smart Edge enabled to create your mask.
• In the mask properties area, ensure keyframing is turned on for the shape you have created.
• Use the playback controls in the Mask preview area to move through the frames, stopping when you need to edit the mask so that it covers your target area.
• In the Shape properties area, do one of the following:
  • Click the Replace button, and in the Mask preview area, use the Brush tool (with Smart Edge, or another tool of choice), to redraw the mask (the outline for the previous mask remains as a guide), and click Done.

• • Click the Modify button, and in the Mask preview, use the tools you want (for example, Brush tool with or without Smart Edge to add to the mask, or Eraser tool to remove from the mask) to edit the shape, and click Done.
    Keyframes are added for the edited mask shape.
• Repeat steps 2-4 for any additional frames.