So, you’ve got your hands on the latest DJI Mavic 3 drone and you can’t wait to make the most of its features, right? Well, one feature that you definitely don’t want to miss out on is the Active Track. With Active Track, your Mavic 3 can intelligently track and follow moving subjects, giving you the perfect shot every time. Whether you’re capturing action-packed sports, filming stunning landscapes, or even just vlogging on the go, mastering the Active Track feature will take your drone photography and videography to the next level. So, let’s dive in and discover how you can become a master of Active Track with your DJI Mavic 3.
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Understanding Active Track
What is Active Track?
Active Track is a powerful feature available on the DJI Mavic 3 drone that allows you to track and follow a subject automatically. It utilizes advanced algorithms and computer vision technology to identify and track moving objects in real-time, making it a valuable tool for capturing dynamic, action-packed footage.
How does Active Track work?
Active Track employs a sophisticated combination of visual recognition, object detection, and motion prediction to track subjects with precision. By analyzing the video feed from the drone’s camera, it identifies the subject and creates a virtual bounding box around it. This box follows the subject as it moves, keeping it in the frame, even if it changes direction or speed. The drone then adjusts its flight path accordingly, keeping a safe distance from the subject while smoothly tracking its movements.
Benefits of using Active Track
Using Active Track offers numerous benefits for both amateur and professional drone pilots. It eliminates the need for manual piloting skills, allowing you to focus on capturing the perfect shot. Whether you’re filming action sports, wildlife, or any fast-paced activity, Active Track ensures that your subject remains in the center of attention throughout the recording. It also enhances the overall cinematic quality of your footage, providing smooth and fluid tracking shots that were once only possible with a dedicated camera operator. Active Track opens up a world of creative possibilities and allows you to push the boundaries of aerial videography.
Before Using Active Track
Update the firmware
Before using Active Track, it’s essential to ensure that your DJI Mavic 3 drone’s firmware is up to date. Firmware updates often include improvements and bug fixes related to Active Track performance, ensuring optimal functionality. To update the firmware, connect your drone to the DJI Fly app and follow the instructions provided.
Calibrate the compass
Another crucial step before using Active Track is calibrating the drone’s compass. Calibrating the compass ensures accurate positioning and orientation data, which is vital for smooth tracking. To calibrate the compass, follow the instructions provided by DJI in the user manual or within the DJI Fly app.
Check the camera settings
Before using Active Track, it’s essential to check and adjust the camera settings to suit your specific tracking needs. Depending on the lighting conditions, subject movement, and desired effect, you may need to make adjustments to the exposure, ISO, or shutter speed settings. Experimenting with different camera settings will help you achieve the best results in different tracking scenarios.
Using Active Track
Enabling Active Track
To enable Active Track on your DJI Mavic 3 drone, open the DJI Fly app and navigate to the Intelligent Flight Modes menu. Select Active Track from the available options, and the app will guide you through the setup process. Ensure that the drone has a clear line of sight to the subject and that there is sufficient GPS signal for optimal tracking performance.
Selecting a target
After enabling Active Track, you can select the target you want the drone to track. The DJI Fly app offers various methods for target selection, including tapping on the subject directly on the live video feed, drawing a box around the subject, or using the “Trace” mode, which allows the drone to follow a designated path. Experiment with the different target selection methods to find the one that works best for your tracking needs.
Adjusting tracking settings
Active Track offers additional tracking settings that can be adjusted to tailor the tracking experience to your requirements. These settings include the tracking speed, distance, and trajectory. You can control how closely the drone follows the subject, the distance it maintains, and whether it tracks in a straight line or with curved movements. By experimenting with these settings, you can achieve different tracking styles and effects.
Starting the tracking
Once you have selected your target and adjusted the tracking settings, you can start the Active Track feature. The drone will take off and begin tracking the subject automatically. The DJI Fly app will display a live feed from the drone’s camera, allowing you to monitor the tracking in real-time. Ensure that you have adequate control over the drone’s altitude and movements to ensure a safe and smooth tracking experience.
Monitoring the tracking
While Active Track is engaged, it’s crucial to monitor the tracking process closely. Keep an eye on the live video feed to ensure that the subject remains in the frame and that the drone maintains a safe distance. Be prepared to make manual adjustments if necessary, as certain tracking scenarios may require your intervention to ensure the best results. Monitoring the tracking allows you to make any necessary adjustments to achieve the desired shots.
Advanced Tracking Techniques
Using waypoint tracking
Beyond basic tracking, the DJI Mavic 3 offers advanced tracking techniques to enhance your creative options. Waypoint tracking allows you to create a predetermined flight path for the drone to follow, making it ideal for capturing complex shots or following a specific route. By designating multiple waypoints, you can create intricate tracking sequences that add a professional touch to your videos.
Using spotlight tracking
Spotlight tracking is another useful technique available with Active Track. By activating spotlight mode, you can “lock” the camera onto the subject, regardless of the drone’s movements. This means that the camera will always keep the subject in the center of the frame, even if the drone flies in different directions or angles. Spotlight tracking is perfect for capturing compelling shots with a strong focus on the subject.
Using circle tracking
Circle tracking allows you to create captivating 360-degree tracking shots that revolve around the subject. By selecting circle mode in Active Track, the drone will fly in a circular path around the subject, keeping it at the center of the frame throughout the rotation. Circle tracking adds a dynamic and immersive element to your videos, providing a unique perspective that adds a touch of professionalism to your footage.
Troubleshooting
Common issues
While Active Track is a powerful feature, it may encounter some challenges in certain scenarios. Common issues that you may encounter include the drone losing track of the subject, excessive oscillations or vibrations during tracking, or difficulties tracking fast-moving subjects. If you encounter any of these issues, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to improve the tracking performance.
Tips to improve tracking accuracy
To improve the accuracy of Active Track, consider the following tips:
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Ensure proper lighting conditions: Active Track relies on visual recognition, so having good lighting conditions is crucial for accurate subject detection and tracking. Avoid using Active Track in dimly lit or heavily shaded areas.
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Maintain sufficient contrast: Active Track performs best when there is a distinct contrast between the subject and the background. Avoid tracking subjects that blend into their surroundings, as it may cause tracking difficulties.
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Be mindful of obstacles: Active Track relies on sensors to navigate around obstacles, but it’s essential to be aware of potential obstacles that could interfere with the tracking process. Avoid tracking subjects in environments with a high density of obstacles or where the subject may suddenly disappear from view.
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Master the control inputs: Active Track’s performance can be further enhanced by mastering the control inputs. It’s important to practice controlling the drone manually to make precise adjustments when needed during tracking. Combining manual inputs with Active Track can help you achieve smoother and more professional results.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the Active Track feature of the DJI Mavic 3 opens up a world of possibilities for capturing stunning, dynamic footage. Whether you’re filming action sports, wildlife, or any fast-paced activity, Active Track ensures that your subject remains in focus throughout the recording. By following the steps outlined in this article and experimenting with different tracking techniques, you can unleash your creativity and take your aerial videography to new heights. Embrace the power of Active Track, and get ready to capture breathtaking footage that truly tells a story.
