MotionCrop

A video stabilization tool designed specifically for aircraft footage

Windows 64-bit • Command-line application

What is MotionCrop?

MotionCrop is a command-line video processing tool I created while flying with the US Unlimited Aerobatic Team. The problem: camera footage from aerobatic flights is often shaky and difficult to watch, even with modern camera stabilization.

MotionCrop analyzes footage frame-by-frame, identifies stable reference points (typically the aircraft), and crops each frame to keep that reference point centered. The result is smoother, more watchable footage that keeps the airplane steady in the frame.

How It Works

Built with C++ and OpenCV, MotionCrop uses computer vision to detect the aircraft and keep it centered:

Converts each frame to HSV and isolates brightness data
Applies Otsu thresholding and Canny edge detection
Uses dilation to close edges and identify contours
Detects the aircraft as the largest contour and calculates its center of mass
Crops each frame around the aircraft's centroid

Best Use Cases & Limitations

Works Best With

Clear sky backgrounds
Aircraft as the main subject
Consistent, trackable features
Air-to-air formation footage

May Struggle With

Ground visible in the frame
Bright light sources or sun reflections
Birds or other obstacles
Cloud edges or smoke
Unfocused footage or compression artifacts

Note: This is no longer being maintained. I experimented with some sophisticated AI solutions but technology is changing so fast I don't think it's worthwhile to continue for the moment. But it works as it is for many use cases!