Understanding Perspective and Distance Measurement in SynthEyes

This tutorial delves into the principles of perspective and distance measurement as utilized in SynthEyes. Russ Andersson explains how SynthEyes applies basic triangulation techniques to determine distances within a shot, using the analogy of measuring the distance to a sailboat from observers on a shoreline. The accuracy of this triangulation depends on the baseline (distance between cameras or observation points) and the camera's resolution, represented by its pixel count. The tutorial highlights different scenarios, such as narrow and broad triangles formed by camera positions, and how these affect the precision of distance measurements. Understanding these dynamics is crucial when assessing the difficulty of a tracking shot, particularly in tripod mode where the camera does not translate, limiting distance determination. The explanation extends to the functionality of SynthEyes' hold mode, which accommodates a mix of moving and static camera shots, providing insights into effective shot planning and tracker management based on camera movement and the relative distances of objects within the scene.