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How to Create a Stop Motion Animation with a Webcam

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From Quick Guide: Creating Movies and DVDs

Summary: Creating simple stop motion animations are fun and easy to do with the web camera you may already have. A stop motion video is one where you add images to your video one frame at a time. This is different then a time lapse video where the computer automatically adds a frame at set time interval. All you need is your web cam, some light and something to animate.

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Presenter
By Richard Burke
eHow Presenter

Richard has been involved in the graphic communications industry for over 30 years. He is an award winning Photographer who has worked in nuclear power plants, in steel mills, on...read more

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1
    Quick Cam Main Window
    Quick Cam Main Window

    Create a backdrop and plan a video. In this case, I wanted Mickey to push the rocks apart and walk towards the camera. Open the web camera. We used the Logitech Quickcam and their software. Most web cameras come with simple software allowing you to perform various video functions. Choose "Create Animations" from the top menu bar. Check the animation main view to make sure your camera and object(s) are in correct alignment. Click "Setup" to begin the wizard.

  2. Step 2
    Animation Type
    Animation Type

    Select the type of animation you want. In this case, we want "Stop Motion" animation that allows us to create our movie one frame at a time.

  3. Step 3
    Playback rate.
    Playback rate.

    Most motion picture films are shown at 30 frames per second. This prevents flicker and creates smooth motion. Adjust the frame rate to "30FPS."

  4. Step 4
    Ready to animate
    Ready to animate

    When you finish the wizard, you will be taken back to the main window. You will now notice that the "Add Frame" button is displayed. This allows you to add a frame, reposition your object and then add another. For this animation, I added 4 frames for each "object move" I made. When you are finished, click "End Stop Motion" and you will see the movie displayed in the gallery on your left. Right click and save the movie to a desired location.

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Comments  

offgrid said

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on 12/27/2008 I did this on my Mac using some Free Stop-motion software called "SingleFramer"
I'll post a "How-to" article on eHow.

Elitchka said

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on 11/25/2007 Good avices. Thank you

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eHow Article: How to Create a Stop Motion Animation with a Webcam

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