Tutorial: Automated Stop Motion in Dragonframe

The main purpose of this tutorial is to explore keyframed physical movement as a means to program stop-motion.

Objectives

At the end, you should be able to do the following:

  1. Animate an automated stop-motion scene using Dragonframe and ARC Motion.
  2. Run a Python script to connect Dragonframe to the hobby servo interface.
  3. Program a scene movement axis by axis using keyframed curves.
  4. Shoot and iteratively reshoot a fully automated stop-motion sequence.

Deliverables: please finish setting up your scene and shoot a short stop-motion video. The video should emphasize an actuated and programmed movement which conveys character. You must use a DSLR camera via Dragonframe.

The video should be uploaded to Vimeo and embedded in a short blog post. Please assign all group members as authors on the post. This is due Monday at 8PM.

Please have your workstation cleaned up and all materials put away prior to the start of class next Tuesday.

Agenda

Tuesday

  1. Walk-through of Dragonframe hand-animated stop-motion capture.
  2. Walk-through of Dragonframe ARC Motion programmed movements.

Thursday

  1. In-class laser cutter tutorial, in two groups.