Animate Almost Anything
Type 1: Circular Motion Optical Illusion
Cup
Dancing Character
Type 2: 3D Printing Layers (Bonus)
Concept
Animate Almost Anything is a project consisting of three parts -machine, templates, experience - that allows anyone to create and experience physical animations.
Machine
- a machine with a turntable to move "physical frames" at a controllable speed.
- a button to turn on/off, and switch between Eye mode and Camera mode.
- a flash light. For camera mdode, it provides constant lighting; for eye mode, it binks at a certain frequency based on the turntable speed and frame rate.
- an LED screen to show basic information
Template
- combining a step by step workflow and template parametrical files, so that everyone can design their own animation, and prepare required digital files for fabrication.
Experience
- the ouput can be viewed by naked-eyes.
- the output can be recorded with a camera, with automatic control of shutter.
Inspirations
Zoetrope
BEARS ON STAIRS from DBLG on Vimeo.
Who's done what beforehand? aka. Standing on the shoulders of giants
For the design of the machine I got this inspiration from an MV directed by Michel Gondry. This "turntable" has the layout has foreground, middle ground and background.
3d printing turntable animation with blinking light
3d printing layer time-lapse animation
stop motion with layered cardboards
Part 1: The Machine
Turntable
Modular Disc
Single-frame models can be placed on these square holes. There are either 30 or 60 holes.
LED Background Wall
Speed Controller
Mechanics & Machine Build
Gear drive
big:
Summary: [Pitch Diam=51.0] [Teeth=17] [Module=3.0] [CircPitch=9.425, ToothThickness=4.706] [Pressure angle=20.0] [Bevel angle=0.0] [Samples=5]
small:
Summary: [Pitch Diam=51.0] [Teeth=17] [Module=3.0] [CircPitch=9.425, ToothThickness=4.706] [Pressure angle=20.0] [Bevel angle=0.0] [Samples=5]
Part 2: The Templates
I developed a parametrical Cinema 4D template file allowing users to generate their own physical animate forms.
Please use the following equation to calculate how many animate models do you need, based on the turntable speed and frame rate:
N = 60/R * F
- N: number of model “frames” in a full circle
- R: turntable revolutions per minute
- F: frame rate, how many frames per second, for both the animation and the video recording devices.
Part 3: The Experiences
Turntable
Cup
Dancing Character
I printed 30 models, and each one represents one "animation" frame.
3D Printing Layers (Bonus)
I embedded motion frames as 3d printing layers, so the timelapse of 3d printing can be controlled to express certain animation. I hacked the G-Code file so after each single layer, the printer moves to a certain location, and triggers the camera controller to take a photo. Hundreds of photos are combined as frames to create such animated "HTMAA" text effect.
Deliverables
- A "hardware" device.
- A "software" template file with a manual.
- A video showing the physical animation.
- A documentary video showing "Making Of".
- A website page showing detailed workflow, final result, and all related project files, etc.
Exhibition at MIT Media Lab
