Here's how it works... 

Getting started

Start animating quickly Connect a webcam Easy to use interface means quick results

Tutorial with images

---

Image capture - connect to a variety of cameras and lock exposure, focus and white balance

Reduce flickering and focus changes during your animation Use webcams, video cameras or digtial still cameras Light your scenes to accentuate mood

More information on cameras

---

Editor - Cut, paste, copy and reverse your frames with the thumbnail editor

Non destructive changes using "Hide frame" options If a hand creeps into a frame, simply hide the frame using the keyboard "delete" key Unique “Frame ID” features means you can always go back to original frame sequencing

Full tutorial here

---

Onionskinning - See through a semi transparent overlay of live video onto your previously captured frames

Line up movement perfectly Fix fallen characters Re align bumped cameras

---

Paint on frames - step through your animation and paint directly onto the frames

Create explosions, smoke and other special effects Paint captions and copy them onto mulitple frames Original frames are hidden in the editor, so painted changes are easily reversible

Full tutorial here

---

Green and blue screen - composite video and images into your animation with the Chromakey tool

Your puppets can interact with real people Set your animation in the real world Easy to use and all done live

Full tutorial here

---

Audio - Add an audio track or even record a track while watching your animation

	Free soundtracks give you a head start and inspiration Grab a mic and record your own audio while your animation plays back Step through synchronized audio and your animation one frame at time	Full tutorial here

---

Share your animation - Export in a variety of formats for further editing and sharing.

YouTube export means you can share your animation fast, publically or privately Quicktime (MOV), Windows Media (AVI, WMV) and individual frame files for maximum compatibility with video editing applications Create flipbooks  - a fun way you can share your animation with your friends and family

Flipbooks full tutorial

To start filming your animation, you need three things:

1. Software

2. Camera

3. Computer

1. Software recommendations:

Free trial

Start with the free trial to test everything out on your computer.

Stop Motion Pro Action!

Shoot your animation with easy to connect webcams and video cameras. Paint on frames, blend live action with your animation using greenscreen and add audio!
Our entry level software, with a maximum playback rate of 15 frames per second.

Stop Motion Pro Action! HD (buy now)

Use high quality DSLR cameras at unlimited resolution capture, easy flying effects with the rig removal tool, change timing easily by hiding frames in the editor. 
30 frames per second playback rate.

Compare editions in detail.

Online shop.

2. Camera recommendations:

- Microsoft or Logitec webcams
(others will also work, test them out)

Action! HD we also recommend:

- Canon DSLR cameras with AC power adaptor with Nikon and/or other manual aperture lenses
- Nikon DSLR cameras with AC power adaptor with Nikon and/or other manual aperture lenses

More information on cameras can be found here.

3. Computer recommendations

System requirements

Windows operating systems, XP, Vista or Windows 7

Mac - Please read this page.