New After Effects CS5.5 Warp Stabilizer VERY Impressive

[Seo]

I've been playing around with Production Premium CS5.5 a little (running the trial, still waiting on box to ship) and the warp stabilizer is one of the big features I was looking forward to. I've run some tests and the results are very impressive.

The plug-in runs very fast. Even on an old dual core with a meager 4GB of RAM (I know, I know, upgrading to a Mac Pro soon...) it runs the stabilizing process very quickly. It's also very easy to configure. Most of the time, changing a couple drop downs and values is all you need to make the shot look great.

This plug-in allows me to do some really fun stuff, like turning the flying tripod trick into a software steadicam, or getting jib-like shots in places where setting up and using a real one would be completely impractical. Basically I'm just putting the camera onto a photo tripod (IOW light enough not to break me when raising it above my head) and holding onto two legs and lifting it up. This is moderately shaky when the legs are retracted, but extended I'm expecting it to get pretty bad. The awesome thing is, with what I've tried so far, it's very smooth and stable and there is very minimal perspective warping - a lot of the times there is none! It really does look great.

I'll be doing some more tests later today when scouting the location for a music video I'm shooting. But so far, this little software plug-in does seem to open some doors for indie filmmakers on a tight budget or time schedule.

[cgbier]

Did you have a chance to compare it to the Stabilizer in Motion?

[Seo]

Unfortunately, no. I don't have FCS so no Motion.

[STUDIO32MID]

Hmm could you break it down to the level of us the first graders? That is what plug in, where to access it,purpose and how to apply it and results? thanks alot!!!

[Seo]

It's the big new feature in After Effects CS5.5. Just search "Warp Stabilizer" in the Effects & Presets menu and drag it onto your clip. It'll analyze your video and then stabilize, during which you can select what stabilization method you want to use and set the parameters for it.

Its purpose is to, well, stabilize the footage. It can do so in multiple ways: the classic x-y position change of the video, x-y-z and rotation, perspective, and subspace warping. You can read up on these on Adobe's info page. It can make the motion smooth (basically retaining camera movements) or make it so that there is no motion at all. It can synthesize edges and a lot of cool stuff.

Adobe's info pages have more, in depth details on this new feature.

[STUDIO32MID]

Hmm that sound unbelievably great- will check it out thanks. Does it do a similar job as Mercalli pro?

[kaydawgy]

The new warp stabilizer would be the ONLY reason I would upgrade to CS5.5 but still debating whether its worth it or not. Ive been a Mocha user for years now and am very crafty with it. I can stabilize rocky footage just bringing the AE comp over to Mocha and essentially doing the same thing that the Warp pluggin does. Its a tad tedious, but it still works. I imagine the new Warp Stabilizer cuts yer time in half though.

[Seo]

@STUDIO32MID: Indeed it does. It corrects for rolling shutter and the likes just like Mercalli Pro. Performance wise, I'm not sure, but I'd put them on the same level.

@kaydawgy: More than just half I would think... there really are no manual adjustments to make besides a couple drop downs and a single "smoothness" slider.

Besides this, I suppose there are some improvements to the MPE that could make it worth it if your GPU didn't use to be supported but now is. But besides these two nothing stands out to me.

[cgbier]

You mean you need them fancy nVidea GPUs to get that lalala to work?

[Seo]

You need specific GPUs for the Mercury Playback Engine to render using your graphics card. If you don't, it still has a software mode that works quite well.

The Warp Stabilizer is a different thing altogether and doesn't require any specific hardware.

[cgbier]

The Warp Stabilizer is a different thing altogether and doesn't require any specific hardware.

Oh, ok. Thanks. Seems I misinterpreted your post. Sorry, been celebrating too much whatever holiday Americans are celebrating today....

[Seo]

Memorial Day!

And for calling me stupid. Lol.

[cgbier]

Not stupid! Learn to read!

Memorial Day? Oh, ok. All I know is that I had a day off and my brother in law was calling if I had interest in some bbq and getting wasted (what's the difference?) this morning.

[Seo]

Hahaha, I can't believe I didn't see that! Now I really feel stupid

Did you end up going? I'd very much enjoy myself some BBQ amidst all this nerding off I've been engaging in these past few months, heh.

[cgbier]

Of course I did...