> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://stage-precision.gitbook.io/grid/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://stage-precision.gitbook.io/grid/camera-calibration/before-you-start/choosing-the-right-calibration-tool/calibration-and-alignment-tools.md). # Calibration and Alignment Tools These tools are used when calibration data needs to be created, updated, or solved from camera images, tracking data, Calibration Screens, or Manual Markers. This page is a tool overview. Detailed step-by-step workflows are explained in the dedicated tool sections. ## Lens & Tracking Calibration Use **Lens & Tracking Calibration** for a fully tracked camera setup where lens calibration, tracking alignment, and Calibration Screens are part of the workflow. This is one of the most common workflows for a new tracked camera setup. It can solve the lens behavior and the relationship between the tracking system and the real camera view in one calibration process. #### Required Inputs * Live camera image input * Calibration Screens * Tracking data #### Optional Features * Reposition Calibration Screens If screen repositioning is enabled, the tool can calculate and apply the placement, orientation, or shape of the existing Calibration Screens. The tool does not create the Calibration Screens themselves. #### Creates or Updates * Lens Profile * Alignment Profile * Calibration Screen placement / shape, if screen repositioning is enabled #### Typical Use Cases * Setting up a new fully tracked camera system * Calibrating lens and tracking together * Creating a reusable Lens Profile * Creating an Alignment Profile for the tracked camera * Calibrating against known Calibration Screens #### Important Notes If the Calibration Screen setup is already valid, screen repositioning does not need to be enabled. This is useful when calibrating a second camera or a second tracking system on an already calibrated stage. In that case, the existing Calibration Screen setup can be reused and the calibration can focus on the camera-specific lens and tracking data. {% content-ref url="/pages/5eGffCFadhZ4Dn0eHkgC" %} [Lens & Tracking Calibration](/grid/camera-calibration/calibration-workflows/lens-and-tracking-calibration.md) {% endcontent-ref %} *** ## Lens & Tracking Calibration (Rotation Only) Use **Lens & Tracking Calibration (Rotation Only)** for camera systems that only use rotation data, such as pan/tilt setups or other rotation-only camera systems. It is similar to Lens & Tracking Calibration, but optimized for camera movement that does not provide full 3D position and rotation tracking. #### Required Inputs * Live camera image input * Calibration Screens * Rotation, pan/tilt, or similar movement data #### Optional Features * Reposition Calibration Screens If screen repositioning is enabled, the tool can calculate and apply the placement, orientation, or shape of the existing Calibration Screens. #### Creates or Updates * Lens Profile * Alignment Profile * Calibration Screen placement / shape, if screen repositioning is enabled #### Typical Use Cases * Pan/tilt camera calibration * Rotation-only camera tracking * Camera systems that rotate but do not move freely through 3D space * Limited-movement systems where full 6DOF tracking is not available #### Important Notes For rotation-only systems, it can be difficult to capture enough Calibration Screen observations from different perspectives. In these cases, it can be useful to position the Calibration Screens first with **Screen Reposition Without Profile** and then reuse the positioned Calibration Screen setup in this calibration workflow. If the Calibration Screens are already accurately positioned, screen repositioning can usually be disabled. {% content-ref url="/pages/qy209zlCmgx26Fmto3GZ" %} [Lens & Tracking Calibration (Rotation Only)](/grid/camera-calibration/calibration-workflows/lens-and-tracking-calibration-rotation-only.md) {% endcontent-ref %} *** ## Lens Calibration Use **Lens Calibration** when only the lens needs to be calibrated. This workflow creates a Lens Profile that describes the optical behavior of the lens. It is useful when the lens should be calibrated independently and reused in other camera setups. #### Required Inputs * Live camera image input * Calibration Screens * Zoom and focus encoder data #### Optional Features * Reposition Calibration Screens If screen repositioning is enabled, the tool can calculate and apply the placement, orientation, or shape of the existing Calibration Screens. #### Creates or Updates * Lens Profile * Calibration Screen placement / shape, if screen repositioning is enabled #### Typical Use Cases * Creating a reusable Lens Profile * Calibrating a lens before using it in a tracked camera workflow * Calibrating lens behavior across zoom and focus ranges * Preparing a Lens Profile before using Manual Markers on location #### Important Notes Lens calibration depends on consistent lens data. Make sure the required zoom and focus encoder data is available and correctly mapped before starting the workflow. If the lens is later used in another setup, the Lens Profile can often be reused as long as the same lens and lens settings are used. {% content-ref url="/pages/KinXcOC8g7u4iIBaTvhB" %} [Lens Calibration](/grid/camera-calibration/calibration-workflows/lens-calibration.md) {% endcontent-ref %} *** ## Tracking Alignment Use **Tracking Alignment** when the lens and reference setup are already available or reusable, but the tracking system, tracker mount, or tracking offset needs to be aligned. This workflow solves how the tracking data relates to the real camera view and creates an Alignment Profile. #### Required Inputs * Live camera image input * Calibration Screens * Tracking data #### Optional Features * Reposition Calibration Screens * Global lens parameter adjustment, such as Center Shift and Nodal Shift The global lens parameter adjustment is not the same as a full Lens Calibration. It is used to refine selected global lens parameters during the tracking alignment workflow. #### Creates or Updates * Alignment Profile * Optional global lens parameter optimization * Calibration Screen placement / shape, if screen repositioning is enabled #### Typical Use Cases * The tracker mount has changed * The tracking system has changed * The lens and Calibration Screens are still valid * Only the tracking relationship needs to be solved again * A second tracking setup is added to an existing calibrated stage #### Important Notes Tracking Alignment is useful when the Lens Profile or Calibration Screen setup should be reused and only the tracking relationship needs to be recalculated. If the Calibration Screen setup is already correct, screen repositioning can usually be disabled. {% content-ref url="/pages/9tAoPRFw2o04UIVTpExq" %} [Tracking Alignment](/grid/camera-calibration/calibration-workflows/tracking-alignment.md) {% endcontent-ref %} *** ## Alignment with Markers **Alignment with Markers** creates or updates an Alignment Profile using manually referenced Measurement Points instead of Calibration Screens. This tool is useful when Calibration Screens cannot be used, for example in stadiums, arenas, venues, stages, or architectural environments. This tool uses **Measurement Point** objects as Manual Markers. The points are manually referenced in captured camera images using the Manual Marker Editor. #### Required Inputs * Live camera image input * Tracking data * Lens Profile * Manual Markers / Measurement Points #### Optional Features * Global optimization of the Lens Profile center point * Global optimization of the Lens Profile nodal shift These options can refine selected global lens parameters. They are not intended to replace an initial full Lens Calibration. #### Creates or Updates * Alignment Profile * Lens Profile update or optimized lens parameters, if the lens optimization options are enabled #### Typical Use Cases * Stadium AR * Large environments where Calibration Screens cannot be placed * Alignment using measured real-world points * Using field corners, field lines, architectural points, or other known positions as references #### Important Notes This workflow requires an already calibrated lens. A common approach is to first calibrate the lens using a standard Grid Studio Calibration Screen or calibration pattern and then use Manual Markers on location to align the tracking system to the measured environment. Manual Markers must have accurate 3D coordinates. Poorly measured marker positions will directly affect the quality of the alignment. {% content-ref url="/pages/45azzS5ZBpjC695xv5xk" %} [Alignment with Markers](/grid/camera-calibration/calibration-workflows/alignment-with-markers.md) {% endcontent-ref %} *** ## Axis-Pole Calibration Use **Axis-Pole Calibration** for camera systems that move on a rail, pole, axis, rotation head, or similar mechanical movement setup. This workflow calibrates how the mechanical movement data relates to the virtual camera movement inside Grid Studio. #### Required Inputs * Live camera image input * Calibration Screens * Tracking or movement data for rail, pole, and rotation head * Axis / rail / pole object or related movement setup #### Optional Features * Reposition Calibration Screens If screen repositioning is enabled, the tool can calculate and apply the placement, orientation, or shape of the existing Calibration Screens. #### Creates or Updates * Alignment Profile * Lens Profile * Axis calibration data * Calibration Screen placement / shape, if screen repositioning is enabled #### Typical Use Cases * Camera rail systems * Axis-based camera movement * Pole or mechanical lift systems * Rotation head setups * Camera systems where several mechanical movement components need to be mapped to the virtual camera #### Important Notes Axis calibration data is written to the corresponding Axis object. This is different from a Lens Profile or Alignment Profile, because it describes the relationship between the physical mechanical movement and the virtual camera movement. Make sure the rail, pole, rotation head, or axis data is available and stable before starting the calibration. {% content-ref url="/pages/WpShZbQpWmVO8JsQcMTR" %} [Axis-Pole Calibration](/grid/camera-calibration/calibration-workflows/axis-pole-calibration.md) {% endcontent-ref %} *** ## Simple Static Calibration Use **Simple Static Calibration** for a static camera setup using Calibration Screens. This workflow does not create a Lens Profile or an Alignment Profile. Instead, it writes the calculated camera placement and lens-related values directly to the Camera Object. #### Required Inputs * Camera Object * Live camera image input * Calibration Screens #### Optional Features * Reposition Calibration Screens If screen repositioning is enabled, the tool can calculate and apply the placement, orientation, or shape of the existing Calibration Screens. #### Creates or Updates * Camera position and orientation on the Camera Object * Lens-related values such as focal length and distortion on the Camera Object * Calibration Screen placement / shape, if screen repositioning is enabled #### Typical Use Cases * Fixed camera setups * Static camera calibration using Calibration Screens * Simple setups without live tracking * Projects where profile-based calibration is not required #### Important Notes Because this workflow writes values directly to the Camera Object, it is different from workflows that create reusable Lens Profiles or Alignment Profiles. Use this workflow when the camera is fixed and the calibration does not need to be separated into reusable profile objects. {% content-ref url="/pages/o1UpBJc3vCXxAltNFB1j" %} [Simple Static Calibration](/grid/camera-calibration/calibration-workflows/simple-static-calibration.md) {% endcontent-ref %} *** ## Simple Static Calibration with Marker Use **Simple Static Calibration with Marker** for a static camera setup using Manual Markers instead of Calibration Screens. This workflow is similar to Simple Static Calibration, but it uses measured 3D marker points as the calibration reference. #### Required Inputs * Camera Object * Live camera image input * Manual Markers #### Optional Features * None #### Creates or Updates * Camera position and orientation on the Camera Object * Lens-related values such as focal length and distortion on the Camera Object #### Typical Use Cases * Fixed camera setup without Calibration Screens * Static camera calibration using measured 3D points * Environments where Manual Markers are already available * Situations where generated calibration images cannot be used #### Important Notes Manual Marker accuracy is critical. Each marker should represent a clearly identifiable real-world point with accurately measured 3D coordinates. Like Simple Static Calibration, this workflow does not create Lens Profiles or Alignment Profiles. The result is written directly to the Camera Object. {% content-ref url="/pages/2EBxGJirnTRI5VNMK7JK" %} [Simple Static Calibration with Marker](/grid/camera-calibration/calibration-workflows/simple-static-calibration-with-marker.md) {% endcontent-ref %} *** ## Summary Calibration and alignment tools are used when calibration data needs to be solved from camera images, tracking data, Calibration Screens, Manual Markers, or mechanical movement data. Use these tools when you need to create or update: * Lens Profiles * Alignment Profiles * axis calibration data * Camera Object calibration values * Calibration Screen placement or shape For workflows that move an already calibrated setup, reposition Calibration Screens, or apply offsets without solving the full camera system again, continue with the **Repositioning Tools** section.