Systems, methods and software are provided for aiding in positioning of objects in a surgical environment. A tracker is rigidly affixed to a surgical object. A camera has a field of view and senses positions of the tracker in the field of view. Controller(s) provide a zone positioned within the field of view at a location that is static relative to the field of view such that the zone is located independent of the sensed positions of the tracker. The zone defines a range of acceptable positions for the tracker relative to a position of the camera. Controller(s) acquire positions of the tracker as the surgical object is moved throughout a range of motion and enable evaluation of the positions of the tracker throughout the range of motion relative to the zone to aid in positioning of one or more of: the camera, the tracker, or the surgical object.