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Stop-frame Animation in Flair

▶ Stop-frame Animation in Flair — Watch on YouTube

We're going to be making a video about We're going to be making a video about stop motion animation. We're going to start with the animation. We're going to start with the DSLR camera mounted on the new Super DSLR camera mounted on the new Super DSLR camera mounted on the new Super Milo and we're going to be running a Milo and we're going to be running a Milo and we're going to be running a move using Flare. This is the Flare move using Flare. This is the Flare move using Flare. This is the Flare screen that we're going to be using in screen that we're going to be using in screen that we're going to be using in order to run this move. I have already order to run this move. I have already order to run this move. I have already programmed a move that moves from this programmed a move that moves from this programmed a move that moves from this position to this position. And we are position to this position. And we are position to this position. And we are normally set at 24 frames a second for normally set at 24 frames a second for normally set at 24 frames a second for the move. And this is a 50 frame long the move. And this is a 50 frame long the move. And this is a 50 frame long move. So it's just under a two second move. So it's just under a two second move. So it's just under a two second move. The move itself, if I were to run move. The move itself, if I were to run move. The move itself, if I were to run it normally, looks like this. And this it normally, looks like this. And this it normally, looks like this. And this is the move. Now, in order to do this using stop Now, in order to do this using stop motion, I need first of all to turn on motion, I need first of all to turn on motion, I need first of all to turn on my camera. Now, I have no idea about how camera. Now, I have no idea about how long this DSLR takes to take a frame, long this DSLR takes to take a frame, long this DSLR takes to take a frame, but I'm going to be going into my but I'm going to be going into my but I'm going to be going into my external camera setups in order to give external camera setups in order to give external camera setups in order to give it the correct signals in order to take it the correct signals in order to take it the correct signals in order to take frames. I have external camera set to frames. I have external camera set to frames. I have external camera set to any. I'm giving it one any. I'm giving it one any. I'm giving it one pulse in order to control it, in order pulse in order to control it, in order pulse in order to control it, in order to turn the camera on. And the pulse to turn the camera on. And the pulse to turn the camera on. And the pulse length at the moment is length at the moment is length at the moment is 550ths of a second. This is a fairly 550ths of a second. This is a fairly 550ths of a second. This is a fairly standard figure for this sort of DSLR camera. So, I'm going to save those camera. So, I'm going to save those figures. Now if I figures. Now if I figures. Now if I now turn now turn now turn on on on recording then I can I can forward run recording then I can I can forward run recording then I can I can forward run the move. Let's back run it backwards the move. Let's back run it backwards the move. Let's back run it backwards first of all. There we are. We're in position all. There we are. We're in position ready to shoot. And this would be the ready to shoot. And this would be the ready to shoot. And this would be the normal move that we would do using normal move that we would do using normal move that we would do using conventional shooting. Now, I don't know how long Now, I don't know how long the camera takes in order to take a the camera takes in order to take a the camera takes in order to take a move, take a frame. And if the camera move, take a frame. And if the camera move, take a frame. And if the camera takes longer than my frame rate there, takes longer than my frame rate there, takes longer than my frame rate there, which is 24 frames a second to take a which is 24 frames a second to take a which is 24 frames a second to take a frame because of the light level that frame because of the light level that frame because of the light level that it's set on, the iris it's set on, the iris it's set on, the iris le and any delays due to auto fire le and any delays due to auto fire le and any delays due to auto fire focus, autoiris, or any other things focus, autoiris, or any other things focus, autoiris, or any other things that could be in place on this DSLR. that could be in place on this DSLR. that could be in place on this DSLR. I will be moving my rig when I have I will be moving my rig when I have I will be moving my rig when I have taken a frame. So I need to somehow taken a frame. So I need to somehow taken a frame. So I need to somehow define for the camera a period of time define for the camera a period of time define for the camera a period of time necessary for it to take the frame and necessary for it to take the frame and necessary for it to take the frame and close the shutter again before I move on close the shutter again before I move on close the shutter again before I move on to the second position and then the to the second position and then the to the second position and then the third third third position. So there are two ways of doing position. So there are two ways of doing position. So there are two ways of doing this. this. this. One of the ways of doing this is to set One of the ways of doing this is to set One of the ways of doing this is to set the the the frames the move FPS to something frames the move FPS to something frames the move FPS to something like half a second. If I save if I set like half a second. If I save if I set like half a second. If I save if I set that to the move FPS to half a that to the move FPS to half a that to the move FPS to half a second, then I've set that to half a second, then I've set that to half a second, then I've set that to half a second. Over here I'm using single step second. Over here I'm using single step second. Over here I'm using single step stop motion. I'm using stop motion stop motion. I'm using stop motion stop motion. I'm using stop motion rather than moving step. So now I should rather than moving step. So now I should rather than moving step. So now I should be able to go forward be able to go forward be able to go forward run, go to the run, go to the run, go to the start start start and use this button to step through the and use this button to step through the and use this button to step through the move. So if I click this button once, it move. So if I click this button once, it move. So if I click this button once, it will take a frame and move on to the will take a frame and move on to the will take a frame and move on to the second position. But the second position second position. But the second position second position. But the second position actually won't be very much of a actually won't be very much of a actually won't be very much of a movement because I'm still early in the movement because I'm still early in the movement because I'm still early in the fairings. There we There we are. Second frame. So this is what's actually frame. So this is what's actually happening. frame. Fifth frame. Fifth frame. Sixth frame. Sixth frame. Sixth frame. Seventh frame. Seventh frame. Seventh frame. Eighth frame. Eighth frame. Eighth frame. Ninth frame. Ninth frame. Ninth frame. 10th frame. frame. 10th frame. frame. 10th frame. What is actually happening is I am What is actually happening is I am What is actually happening is I am taking a frame and then doing a go-to. taking a frame and then doing a go-to. taking a frame and then doing a go-to. So this is not strictly speaking a move. So this is not strictly speaking a move. So this is not strictly speaking a move. Take take take take take. Now it may be that in fact for take. Now it may be that in fact for take. Now it may be that in fact for some circumstance I am not moving a some circumstance I am not moving a some circumstance I am not moving a puppet or some other item in my scene puppet or some other item in my scene puppet or some other item in my scene and I want either a background plate of and I want either a background plate of and I want either a background plate of the move in my scene using stop motion the move in my scene using stop motion the move in my scene using stop motion or I actually want to move around my or I actually want to move around my or I actually want to move around my character without actually animating character without actually animating character without actually animating him. In order to do that, I would need him. In order to do that, I would need him. In order to do that, I would need to use something called continuous to use something called continuous to use something called continuous step. Continuous step is here. Now, in step. Continuous step is here. Now, in step. Continuous step is here. Now, in order to do continuous step, I would order to do continuous step, I would order to do continuous step, I would let's stop first of all set continuous let's stop first of all set continuous let's stop first of all set continuous step as a requirement. Let's forward run step as a requirement. Let's forward run step as a requirement. Let's forward run it. So, we go to the start again. it. So, we go to the start again. it. So, we go to the start again. We are here and rather than shooting We are here and rather than shooting We are here and rather than shooting again, I'm going to go to this button again, I'm going to go to this button again, I'm going to go to this button which is a step forward button. But I'm which is a step forward button. But I'm which is a step forward button. But I'm in continuous step now. So it should in continuous step now. So it should in continuous step now. So it should take a frame, move forward, take a take a frame, move forward, take a take a frame, move forward, take a frame, go to forward, take a frame, go frame, go to forward, take a frame, go frame, go to forward, take a frame, go to forward, and continue right through to forward, and continue right through to forward, and continue right through the move. As you can see, Flare is taking a move. As you can see, Flare is taking a frame frame frame and moving it forward. And if you look and moving it forward. And if you look and moving it forward. And if you look at the rig, it's doing this. So, I don't have to actually do this. So, I don't have to actually do anything to get the rig to move forward. And that's continuous step, forward. And that's continuous step, stop motion. Camera is taking a frame. I'm giving it Camera is taking a frame. I'm giving it enough time. I've given it two seconds enough time. I've given it two seconds enough time. I've given it two seconds in order to take the frame. Close the in order to take the frame. Close the in order to take the frame. Close the shutter again before it moves on. Now I'm going to stop that now and show Now I'm going to stop that now and show you what happens. If I wanted to, I you what happens. If I wanted to, I you what happens. If I wanted to, I could now could now could now do stop motion and I could now do time do stop motion and I could now do time do stop motion and I could now do time lapse. So, if I go to my special effects lapse. So, if I go to my special effects lapse. So, if I go to my special effects tab tab tab there and open film there and open film there and open film effects, I actually have a pull down effects, I actually have a pull down effects, I actually have a pull down here that shows here that shows here that shows timelapse. And there's a time there I timelapse. And there's a time there I timelapse. And there's a time there I can put in. It says 0.0 0 seconds at the can put in. It says 0.0 0 seconds at the can put in. It says 0.0 0 seconds at the moment. But if I were to put five moment. But if I were to put five moment. But if I were to put five seconds there as a time lapse and apply seconds there as a time lapse and apply seconds there as a time lapse and apply that and then I was to that and then I was to that and then I was to do continuous step do continuous step do continuous step again. Let's close again. Let's close again. Let's close that continuous step stop that continuous step stop that continuous step stop motion forward run. go motion forward run. go motion forward run. go to. So we are to. So we are to. So we are now there at the beginning now there at the beginning now there at the beginning again and again I'm going again and again I'm going again and again I'm going to forward step which is start the to forward step which is start the to forward step which is start the continuous step operating. But we're getting a thing operating. But we're getting a thing called a timelapse delay occurring before it takes the next occurring before it takes the next frame. And this timelapse And this timelapse delay enables me to set this machine delay enables me to set this machine delay enables me to set this machine going as necessary with the various going as necessary with the various going as necessary with the various times that are times that are times that are possible. Okay. Now I'm going to stop that Now I'm going to stop that again. That time-lapse delay could, if I again. That time-lapse delay could, if I again. That time-lapse delay could, if I wanted it to wanted it to wanted it to be, be a minute. And if I did that, then be, be a minute. And if I did that, then be, be a minute. And if I did that, then I would get one minute delay before I I would get one minute delay before I I would get one minute delay before I took the second frame. and then one took the second frame. and then one took the second frame. and then one minute's delay before I took the third minute's delay before I took the third minute's delay before I took the third frame. And I can actually vary that frame. And I can actually vary that frame. And I can actually vary that enormously. I can go huge numbers of enormously. I can go huge numbers of enormously. I can go huge numbers of steps there in order to get steps there in order to get steps there in order to get my time lapse occurring. In fact, my time lapse occurring. In fact, my time lapse occurring. In fact, because this is a take of a frame and because this is a take of a frame and because this is a take of a frame and then a go-to and a take in the frame and then a go-to and a take in the frame and then a go-to and a take in the frame and then a goto, I'm not actually running a then a goto, I'm not actually running a then a goto, I'm not actually running a move, which means I can change these move, which means I can change these move, which means I can change these values during my shoot. Now, I'm going values during my shoot. Now, I'm going values during my shoot. Now, I'm going to put that back to zero and apply that to put that back to zero and apply that to put that back to zero and apply that so I don't end up with a minute's delay so I don't end up with a minute's delay so I don't end up with a minute's delay on each one. Earlier we set five.5 fps on each one. Earlier we set five.5 fps on each one. Earlier we set five.5 fps as our frame rate in order to get the as our frame rate in order to get the as our frame rate in order to get the two seconds necessary for the uh two seconds necessary for the uh two seconds necessary for the uh exposure of the DSLR camera. There are exposure of the DSLR camera. There are exposure of the DSLR camera. There are some specialist DSLR cameras that enable some specialist DSLR cameras that enable some specialist DSLR cameras that enable you to take very very long exposures you to take very very long exposures you to take very very long exposures using time lapse. And although I can go using time lapse. And although I can go using time lapse. And although I can go down to 1,000th of an FPS, which would down to 1,000th of an FPS, which would down to 1,000th of an FPS, which would give me 16 minutes of exposure if I give me 16 minutes of exposure if I give me 16 minutes of exposure if I needed to do that. Another way of doing needed to do that. Another way of doing needed to do that. Another way of doing exactly the same thing is to put that exactly the same thing is to put that exactly the same thing is to put that back at back at back at 24 and then in my special effects menu, 24 and then in my special effects menu, 24 and then in my special effects menu, film effects, go frames per take. If I film effects, go frames per take. If I film effects, go frames per take. If I were to were to were to put 50 frames put 50 frames put 50 frames there and apply there and apply there and apply it, then I have effectively used just it, then I have effectively used just it, then I have effectively used just over two seconds in order to take a over two seconds in order to take a over two seconds in order to take a move, take a frame, which means that move, take a frame, which means that move, take a frame, which means that it's effectively the same. Now, that can it's effectively the same. Now, that can it's effectively the same. Now, that can be a very, very large number of frames. be a very, very large number of frames. be a very, very large number of frames. So by this means because I've still got So by this means because I've still got So by this means because I've still got the 24 fps there, I can now the 24 fps there, I can now the 24 fps there, I can now go continue step stop go continue step stop go continue step stop motion forward run go to the motion forward run go to the motion forward run go to the start step forward and I now have the two seconds forward and I now have the two seconds occurring. ing. So my camera is exposing for the ing. So my camera is exposing for the length of time at cam. Should I need to length of time at cam. Should I need to length of time at cam. Should I need to do so with my camera, I can expose for a do so with my camera, I can expose for a do so with my camera, I can expose for a longer period of time. If I have low longer period of time. If I have low longer period of time. If I have low light level situations as we don't necessarily know situations as we don't necessarily know how long the camera is exposing, this how long the camera is exposing, this how long the camera is exposing, this allows us to leave enough time so we allows us to leave enough time so we allows us to leave enough time so we don't get the camera moving while the don't get the camera moving while the don't get the camera moving while the camera is while the shutter is open. There are also cameras which for very There are also cameras which for very very long very long very long exposures have a pulse to open the exposures have a pulse to open the exposures have a pulse to open the shutter and a pulse to shut the shutter. shutter and a pulse to shut the shutter. shutter and a pulse to shut the shutter. In which case we would use go to our external camera setup and use go to our external camera setup and instead of using one pulse we would use instead of using one pulse we would use instead of using one pulse we would use pulseed. And what that would do is that pulseed. And what that would do is that pulseed. And what that would do is that would give us a pulse to start the frame would give us a pulse to start the frame would give us a pulse to start the frame and a pulse to stop the frame. and a pulse to stop the frame. and a pulse to stop the frame. And with that specialist type of camera, And with that specialist type of camera, And with that specialist type of camera, this would enable us to take very very this would enable us to take very very this would enable us to take very very long exposures should we need to. So with stop motion, continuous step So with stop motion, continuous step stop motion and timelapse and the stop motion and timelapse and the stop motion and timelapse and the capability to vary the time interval of capability to vary the time interval of capability to vary the time interval of the the the uh pause while the camera takes the uh pause while the camera takes the uh pause while the camera takes the frame by at least two different methods. frame by at least two different methods. frame by at least two different methods. This should enable you to do good stop This should enable you to do good stop This should enable you to do good stop motion with your machine. Thank you very motion with your machine. Thank you very motion with your machine. Thank you very much.