How to Connect Digital Equipment to Make Stop Motion Animation

Stop motion animation became popular with the creation of Claymation. To create stop motion animation, the director must physically stop the camera, move the object, record a frame and stop the camera again. Connecting digital equipment to make stop motion animation only takes a few minutes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Digital video camera with firewire plug-ins
• Computer equipped with a firewire card
• Firewire cord
• Tripod

1. Turn the computer off. Click the "Start" button and choose the "Shut Down" option. Save any projects you are working on before you shut down or you may loose your information.

2. Connect the 4-pin firewire cord into the port on the camera. If you cannot locate the port for the firewire cord, refer to the owner's manual. If the owner's manual is lost, visit the camera manufacturer's website and find assistance.

3. Insert the 6-pin end of the firewire cord into the back of the computer. If the computer has a firewire card, the port is located where the card is installed.

4. Turn on the camera and then turn on the computer. Turning the devices on in this order lets the computer detect that the camera is plugged in.

5. Mount your camera onto a tripod to prepare to record the stop motion animation.

Tips & Warnings

• Some older digital cameras do not have firewire connections.