Using Framethief
There are
many capture software programs available a list of which is available
below. I am going to focus on the one I have chosen to use to
make the secret life of ceravax animation. This software program
is called Framethief and is available for download at www.framethief.com
it is also a shareware package so isn't very expensive. Once
you have downloaded framethief onto you mac computer (only sutible
for apple computers, For alternative PC software see below.)
you will be ready to begin. Connect up your capture device in
this case a digital camcorder with DV in/out capability. You
should see an image in the capture screen this is in real time.
You then set up your shot and begin by pressing the red capture
button. This will then take one single frame, you will need 24-25
frames for every second of film. You can also film in doubles
which means taking two images for every movement. This allows
you to make only 12 movements of the character for every second
of film. You also have the ability to preview what you have done
and erase frames if you make a mistake. There are also other
features available for more details on each of the capture packages
check out the respective websites.
Capture Software
Framethief.com
Mac Based
frame capture software.
istopmotion
Stop motion software made for use with mac OS X. Gives the ability
to capture frames and has a time lapse function. Available for
all levels.
Stopmotion
Studio
Mac Based capture software.
KinemaWorks
Mac Based stop motion animation software.
www.btv.org.uk
Capture
Software for both mac and PC
Stopmotionpro
Frame capture software for the PC User.
Anasazi
Free Frame Capture software for PC Users.
Adobe Premiere
Full editing package for video and movie making has a still frame
capture function as well as many other resources.
Equipment Needed
To make a
basic animation the equipment needed is simple. You need a capture
device. It can be a traditional film camera with single frame
capture as a feature or it can be a modern day digital camera/camcorder.
If you are making the animation with a digital camera or camcorder
then you will need capture software and a computer with plenty
of memory as the images are taken by the software, saved on the
computer and then all the images are spliced together to make
the animation. The quality may not quite be of film standard
but it still gives good quality and it can then be burned onto
DVD when finished.
Other equipment
is important such as lights, sets and props, characters to animate,
editing software and for more advice on the subjects covered
here. A choice selection of book to help make the process easier.
Where to Buy
equipment
Capture
Devices
Capture Software (see list above)
Computer
Lights
Set materials
Props
Armatures & Character materials
Editing
Software
Books
