Unleashing Two Decades of Visual Effects Evolution: Honor stopping by Planar Tracking's Anniversary
In the world of film and television production, the name Mocha Pro has become synonymous with innovation and excellence. This groundbreaking planar motion tracking software, developed by Imagineer Systems Ltd., was first introduced in the early 2000s to tackle complex visual effects challenges.
The story of Mocha begins in 2001, when Philip McLauchlan and Allan Jaenicke founded Imagineer Systems Ltd. and released Mokey, a commercial software for wire and object removal. With input from London-based VFX studio Cinesite, they created Monet in 2004, a tool designed to track planar motion and insert new content. This marked the birth of planar tracking technology, a game-changer in the VFX industry.
Mocha, as we know it today, was developed in the following years. It quickly gained recognition in the VFX industry for tasks such as rotoscoping, screen replacements, object removal, and stabilizing footage in film and television post-production.
In 2008, Adobe licensed Mocha AE, bringing free planar tracking & masking tools to After Effects artists. This collaboration further solidified Mocha's position in the VFX community.
The turning point came in 2014 when Boris FX acquired Imagineer Systems and Mocha software. This acquisition led to the integration of Mocha into a larger suite of visual effects tools and added advanced features such as 3D tracking modules and PowerMesh organic warp tracking, expanding its application in VFX workflows.
Fast forward to 2025, Boris FX Mocha Pro is an award-winning plugin and standalone software widely used in film and TV production. It supports planar motion tracking, advanced masking, 3D tracking, rotoscoping, object removal, image stabilization, and more, making it an industry-standard tool for complex VFX tasks.
Mocha Pro 2022, the latest iteration, was released recently and includes up to 40% faster render speeds, Apple M1 native support, Adobe After Effects multi-frame rendering (MFR) support, and more. This update further cements Mocha's role in the industry, enabling VFX artists to handle advanced tasks on popular movies and TV shows with greater efficiency.
Over the years, Mocha's customers have been instrumental in inspiring and driving the development of its planar tracking tools. The company's 20-year anniversary was celebrated with a live stream featuring the original inventors of planar tracking, showcasing the evolution of this revolutionary technology.
Mocha's contributions to the VFX industry have not gone unnoticed. In 2013, it was recognized with an Academy Award for Science and Technical Achievement, and in 2019, it received an Engineering Emmy Award.
In 2016, Mocha's planar tracking & masking tools were integrated into Continuum, Sapphire, and Adobe. In 2017, it introduced a 360/VR mono and stereoscopic workflow, and Mocha VR won the Advanced Imaging Society Award.
The live stream included shared stories, insider secrets, and additional information. The replay is available for viewing for those who missed it.
As Mocha Pro continues to evolve, one thing remains constant - its commitment to pushing the boundaries of visual effects technology and revolutionizing the way films and TV shows are produced.
Building on its successful history in the VFX industry, Mocha Pro has since expanded its capabilities to influence other aspects of creativity, merging seamlessly into the realm of lifestyle and entertainment.
In the modern era, advanced technology like Mocha Pro enables storytellers to bring their artistic visions to life more efficiently and effectively, shaping a new golden age of filmmaking and digital media.
