Ava Romero
Golf enthusiasts and professionals are increasingly using ball-tracing technology to enhance their viewing and playing experience. Ball-tracing technology, such as Toptracer and Shot Tracer, allows users to visualise the entire flight path of a golf ball, providing insights into ball speed, apex, curve, and carry. This technology has transformed the way golf is watched and played, offering viewers a deeper understanding of the game and players a powerful tool for performance analysis and content creation. While professional ball-tracing technologies are widely adopted, some golfers also utilise free or inexpensive alternatives, such as the Shot Tracer app, to achieve similar results. This has made ball-tracing more accessible to the everyday golfer, allowing them to create engaging videos and share their passion with the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the golf tracer | Toptracer |
| How does it work? | Uses a special camera to track the entire flight of a golf ball and then adds a trace graphic to the screen |
| Features | Shot stats like ball speed, apex, curve, carry, etc. |
| Where is it used? | Used by major networks like NBC, CBS, Golf Channel and Sky Sports to trace the shots of the game's best players at tournaments |
| Ball-tracing capabilities | Can trace shots from anywhere on the course |
| Alternative | Shot Tracer app (available for iOS, Android, PC, and macOS) |
| Shot Tracer app features | Ball flight tracking, swing and putt tracing, 3D map overlays, etc. |
| Shot Tracer PRO features | Upload, edit and export 4K videos |
| Shot Tracer PRO pricing | $14.99 per month or $89.99 per year |
| Alternative method | Adobe After Effects with a method called "Trim Paths" |
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What You'll Learn
Using the Shot Tracer app
The Shot Tracer app is the first ball flight tracking app for smartphones. It is available for iOS, Android, PC, and macOS. The app is extremely easy to use and can record a video or upload a pre-recorded one. When filming, it is best to keep the camera very steady, ideally with a tripod positioned off to the side to ensure a clear view of the ball flight.
The Shot Tracer app offers ball flight tracking, swing and putt tracing, 3D map overlays, and more. It is fully automatic and can be used to trace ball flight and golf swings. The app is compatible with iPhone 7 and later models, as well as iPads.
The Shot Tracer Pro version of the app is available on Windows and macOS operating systems and can be purchased for $14.99 per month or $89.99 per year. It allows users to upload, edit and export 4K videos and is considered much easier to use than the mobile app.
The Shot Tracer app has been voted the Best Golf App by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, showcasing what seemed impossible with ball flight tracking on mobile devices. It is a powerful tool for golfers and golf industry professionals, helping them create engaging golf videos and find new revenue streams.
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Editing with After Effects
To create a golf tracer effect in After Effects, you can use motion tracking on the golf ball and then parent a shape with an echo effect or a particle emitter to the motion path. You can also create a path by hand and use the Trim Paths operation to create the tracer.
Step 1: Motion Tracking
Use motion tracking to track the movement of the golf ball. This can be done using the native AE 3D Camera Solver or the Mocha plugin for reverse stabilization.
Step 2: Create a Shape Layer
Create a shape layer that will serve as the tracer line. Modify the line with keyframed colours (black to red) and dashed lines with round caps.
Step 3: Parent the Shape to the Motion Path
Parent the shape layer created in Step 2 to the motion path of the golf ball. This will ensure that the tracer follows the ball's movement.
Step 4: Add Echo Effect or Particle Emitter
Add an echo effect or a particle emitter to the shape layer to create the tracer effect. This will give the illusion of a trail following the golf ball.
Step 5: Stabilize the Line
Stabilize the tracer line, especially when dealing with camera movement. This can be done by drawing the line on reverse-stabilized footage following the golf ball's flight.
Step 6: Fine-tuning
Fine-tune the tracer effect as needed. This may include adjusting the colour, thickness, and style of the line to match your preferences and the specific shot.
Creating a golf tracer in After Effects requires some proficiency in the software and a clear video of the ball flight. While it may take some time and experimentation, following these steps should allow you to achieve a professional-looking golf tracer effect.
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Using Adobe to trace frame-by-frame
Adobe Animate and Adobe Illustrator both offer tools to create frame-by-frame animations and trace images.
Using Adobe Animate, you can create frame-by-frame animations by defining each frame as a keyframe and creating a different image for each frame. To do this, first, create the artwork for the first frame of the sequence. Use the drawing tools, paste graphics from the Clipboard, or import a file. Then, to add a new keyframe, click the next frame to the right in the same row and select Insert > Timeline > Keyframe. You can also right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh) and select Insert Keyframe.
To help with drawing, positioning, and editing, you can use the onion skinning feature, which provides a reference by displaying the contents of the previous and following frames. The previous and following frames of onion skinning have default colour tints, but you can customise these colours using the Advance Settings option. To enable and disable onion skinning, click the Onion Skin button.
To change the position of the onion skin markers, drag its pointer to a new location. To increase or decrease the position on both sides, use Control/Command + drag. To enable editing of all frames between onion skin markers, click the Edit Multiple Frames button.
To decrease the delta of every onion frame by percentage, drag the Decrease by slider. To customise the colour of the onion skin frames, select Edit > Preferences. In the Onion Skin Colour option, select the colour swatch buttons to customise and set colours for the Past, Present, and Future frames.
Using Adobe Illustrator, you can use the Image Trace function to convert bitmap images into editable vector artwork. First, select the image you want to trace by clicking on it with the selection tool. If the layer or image is locked, unlock it. If the selected image is a clipping group, use Object > Clipping Mask > Release. Then, delete the mask and select the image.
Next, open the Image Trace panel by going to Window > Image Trace. You can also select a preset from the Control panel or the Properties panel. This will immediately apply the preset to the image and trace it. You can fine-tune the presets in the Image Trace panel.
You can run Image Trace with varying levels of speed and control without the customization options provided by the Image Trace panel. To run Image Trace instantly using the Default preset, select the image, and then select Image Trace in the Contextual Task Bar. To run Image Trace using any tracing preset, select the image, and then select Image Trace in the Properties panel. Even if you run Image Trace using any of these methods, you can later customize the result using the Image Trace panel.
The Image Trace function can also be used to vectorize pixel-based images automatically in Illustrator. The results depend on the nature, quality, and size of the source image and the settings you choose in Illustrator. This option is best for tracing photos and creates photorealistic artwork. With this option, the Color slider determines the variability of the pixels that comprise each fill region. When set to 100%, the variability is the least, resulting in more paths defined by smaller areas of colour. When set to 0%, the fill areas are fewer and larger.
With the Illustrator 29.3 release, you get enhanced versions of the legacy presets with built-in support for Gradients, Shapes, Transparency, and Auto Grouping, depending on the specific preset. Select File > Place, and then select the raster image to place it on the canvas. Select the image on the canvas, and then select Window > Image Trace. The Image Trace panel opens. Select Switch Workspace in the upper right corner of Illustrator, and then select Tracing to get a workspace optimized for Image Trace. In the Preset dropdown of the panel, if you see Legacy Presets, select the Enhanced Presets toggle to switch to their enhanced versions.
Note that the function cannot generate gradients, and detailed artwork is often lost because you have to find a compromise between exact results and smooth paths.
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Using Toptracer
Toptracer is a cutting-edge technology system that revolutionises the traditional driving range experience. It uses camera-based technology to track the flight of a golf ball, displaying its path in real time and providing instant feedback on every shot. Toptracer can be used anywhere on the course, capturing key approach shots during pivotal moments in a tournament.
Toptracer uses metal oxide semiconductors and multiple cameras and sensors to create a 3D space. When a golf ball enters this space, the light waves it creates are tracked by the software, which can also track multiple balls simultaneously. The system breaks the range down into triangles, like an invisible grid, allowing the ball to be traced back to each bay. Toptracer can be influenced by factors such as the quality of the ball, temperature, wind, and lighting conditions.
The technology provides golfers with detailed analytics on ball speed, trajectory, distance, launch angle, landing angle, side deviation, apex, curve, carry, and more. This allows golfers to refine their technique, make adjustments, and track their progress. Toptracer also offers skill-based games and challenges, such as Longest Drive, Nearest to the Pin, and Capture the Flag, providing a fun and interactive golfing experience for all ages and skill levels.
The Toptracer app is free to download on mobile devices, offering a seamless connection to the Toptracer Range technology. The app enhances the golfing experience by enabling users to track their shots, view performance data, and access their history for ongoing improvement. It also allows for the sharing of shot data and the recording of swings through the Swing Capture feature.
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Using a high-resolution camera
To create a golf tracer, you will need a high-resolution camera capable of capturing high-speed objects. The camera should have a fast frame rate to capture smooth and detailed images of the golf ball's movement. A high frame rate will allow you to slow down the video during editing, making it easier to track the ball and create the tracer effect.
When choosing a camera, consider its specifications and ensure it has a high frame rate capability. Additionally, look for a camera with good low-light performance, as you may be filming in varying lighting conditions on the golf course.
The camera's positioning is also important. Set up the camera at a fixed position, preferably on a tripod, to ensure stability and clear capture of the golf ball's flight path. Consider the background of the shot, as a plain background will make it easier to track the ball during editing.
After capturing the footage, you can use video editing software to create the tracer effect. Slow down the footage if needed to clearly see the ball's movement, and use editing techniques to add a trail or tracer line to the ball. This can be done using software like Adobe After Effects, where you can utilise the "Trim Paths" method to create the tracer effect.
By using a high-resolution camera with a fast frame rate and stable positioning, you can effectively capture the golf ball's flight path, making it easier to create a precise and visually appealing golf tracer during post-production.
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Frequently asked questions
A golf tracer is a technology that tracks the flight path of a golf ball.
Toptracer, Shot Tracer, and Shot Tracer Pro are some examples of golf tracers.
Shot Tracer is available on iOS, Android, PC, and macOS.
Shot Tracer Pro allows users to upload, edit, and export 4K videos. It also has batch processing capabilities.
Shot Tracer Pro costs $14.99 per month or $89.99 per year.
