FAQ

Recommended Cameras

We recommend using USB web cameras such as Philips ToUCam and Logitech Zoom series. Tech: When choosing a web camera, pay attention to the following features: picture quality (low noise in low light), 640x480 px resolution, adjustable shutter speed, adjustable focus and built-in microphone for dubbing. Animaatiokone Studio works with any VFW compatible camera.

Digital Still Cameras

Digital still cameras are not supported at the moment. Tech: Most digital still cameras do not provide live picture feed via Video for Windows. However, some cameras that have webcam functionality may work. We'd be happy to hear about these models.

Rendering to Web

Animaatiokone Studio exports .avi files for web. We recommend using DivX 6.1 codec which is a "dialect" of mpg4. You can download and install it from www.divx.com (get DivX Create or Play bundle). In Animaatiokone Studio select File menu->Settings->AVI Export->Configure->Save for Web default->Codec->Choose "DivX 6.1 Codec" and click Save. Tech: Animaatiokone Studio uses Video For Windows (VFW) codecs to compress video files.

Playing videos created with Animaatiokone Studio (AVIs with DivX)

PC: Install either DivX, Koepi's XviD or FFDShow codec and use your favourite player (such as Windows Media player) to play the AVIs saved for web and compressed with DivX.
Mac: We recommend installing and using Perian QuickTime codec pack or VLC for OSX. More info.
Linux: We recommend installing and using MPlayer.

Any good readings on animation on the web?

Google for John Lasseter's paper "Principles of traditional animation applied to 3D computer animation". Although targeted for computer generated 3D, it's a brief and good summary of animation principles in general. Finnish speaking people can hop to Mediametka site.

Any books about animation?

For a very good reading with illustrations try Preston Blair's classic "Cartoon Animation" (ISBN: 1560100842). For clay animation try Brian Sibley & Peter Lord's "Creating 3-D Animation : The Aardman Book of Filmmaking" (ISBN: 0810949717).

I have a suggestion!

Send quick feedback at www.animaatiokone.net/lab or see our contact information.