ugh. this is using the magnetix armature. its a no go. i think i'll go return the toy to michaels. what a shame.

these are made without the magnetix armature. i just used a simple wire structure

armature solution?

I don't know if this will work. It's kind of a half ass way to go about things. i found this toy called magnetix at michaels today. $10.00 yes. a bit pricey but compared to the other options this is a cop out.

mission armatures

Ooohkay. here is where i end up sinking or swimming. armatures. Holy jesus i never thought that the mechanics of claymation were so intricate.

research links:
http://minyos.its.rmit.edu.au/aim/a_notes/anim_tabletop.html
http://www.armaverse.com/
http://www.montereymotiongraphics.com/armatures/index.html
http://www.awn.com/mag/issue2.11/2.11pages/2.11briertonani.html

the bottom picture was found at monterymotiongraphis.com. It was both very informative over my head! At this point i think i will stay away from ball and socket armature. for reasons (1)I am too poor to buy it from http://www.armaverse.com/ (2)at this point,I am not innovative enough to make it.

I will do an armature more like top picture. found at:
http://www.sfsu.edu/~teachers/workshops/clayanimation/steptwo.html

...maybe a little bit more intricate than that. that armiture does really look crappy.

frame grabbers

I have always loved research. I love to figure things out,it's an added bonus that I waste huge chunks of my time while i'm at it!

For the basic software i used these websites:
http://www.stopmotionworks.com/stopmosoftwr.htm
http://alestopmotion.blogspot.com/1991/01/stop-motion-in-monkeyjam.html

I downloaded several useless software programs. here are my reviews for the ones i have experience with

anasazi: overly simple format, doesn't work with minidv camera even with codec. the program isn't that bad for freeware but overall it isn't very user friendly. stars:**

stop motion pro v5: professional format. possibly too complicated for the simple task it is made to do. NOT FREE. I downloaded the tutorial without knowing that there will be a watermark on your tutorial movie. overall: ***

monkeyjam: Perfect format. works with minidv, webcam, possibly still digital cameras. program includes onion skinning other things that are way over my head. I found this program to be perfect for what I'm doing. overall: *******++

new month = new project

While juggling school and extended essay, i've decided to throw in a chain saw into the bunch. what is this chainsaw? why it is a lovely claymation project!

"Claymation?" you say. "won't that take forever and probably end up with crappy results?"

to that i reply, "yes. yes indeed. I am screwed."

there are simply two reasons i'm going for this project. (1) I've loved claymation ever since i was a kid. (2). I want to incorporate the computer into a couple of my 12 IB art pieces. It'll be nice not to be completely computer illiterate by the end of 12th grade.

Okay. *gets in running position.* off to research!