> 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/timeline/timeline-recording-and-export-guide/camera-tracking-recording.md).
# Camera Tracking Recording
Prepare Camera Tracking for recording using a dedicated Recording Camera that captures the final global transform and required Lens parameters after Alignment, Parent transforms and filters.
Camera Tracking requires some additional preparation before recording.
The Camera object used for rendering or tracking can contain several layers of processing, such as:
* Parent / Child transformations
* Tracking Alignment
* Lens & Tracking Profiles
* Filters
* Modifier Node logic
* additional offsets or processing
Recording the wrong object in this chain can result in relative or intermediate values being captured instead of the final Camera result.
For Camera Tracking, it is therefore recommended to use a dedicated **Recording Camera / Recording Object**.
***
## Use a Dedicated Recording Camera
Create a separate Camera or Object that is used as the clean source for recording.
The goal is to transfer the final resolved result of the tracked Camera into this Recording Object.
This means that transformations and processing applied earlier in the chain are already included before the values are recorded.
The Recording Object should represent the final Camera state you actually want to preserve.
***
## Follow the Final Global Transform
Use an internal Map Input such as:
**Follow Object**
to make the Recording Object follow the final global transform of the source Camera.
This provides the Recording Object with the resolved:
* Position
* Rotation
including changes introduced by Parent objects, offsets, filters, Alignment, and other processing.
The Recording Object therefore acts as a clean endpoint for the complete Camera transformation chain.
***
## Additional Camera and Lens Parameters
The global transform is usually not the only information required for a complete Camera recording.
Additional Camera and Lens Parameters can be linked separately to the Recording Object.
Depending on the setup, this may include:
* Field of View
* Focus Distance
* Aperture
* K1
* K2
* K3
* Center X
* Center Y
* Overscan
* Panel Size
* Resolution
Only link the Parameters required by the recording and later export workflow.
***
## Lens and Tracking Profiles
{% hint style="warning" %}
Do not apply additional **Lens or Tracking Alignment Profiles** to the dedicated Recording Camera.
The purpose of the Recording Object is to receive the already processed final result.
Applying the same calibration or Alignment again would modify the values a second time and produce incorrect recording data.
{% endhint %}
This is especially important when the source Camera uses **Lens & Tracking Calibration** in Grid Studio.
Tracking Alignment and Lens processing are applied as part of the Camera processing chain. Recording intermediate Camera values instead of the final resolved result can therefore capture incorrect Position or Rotation data.
***
## Verify the Recording Camera
Before starting the actual Take, verify that the Recording Camera receives all required data correctly.
Move the source Camera and change relevant Lens values while watching the Recording Camera.
Check that:
* Position follows the final global Camera position
* Rotation follows the final global Camera rotation
* required Camera Parameters update correctly
* required Lens Parameters update correctly
* Parent and Alignment offsets are already included
* no additional Lens or Alignment Profiles are applied to the Recording Camera
This check should be performed before every important Camera Tracking recording setup.
{% hint style="info" %}
For larger projects, consider using a clear naming convention such as `Camera 1` and `Camera 1 Recording` so the source and Recording Camera can be identified easily.
{% endhint %}
