Claymation – Better than Regular Animation
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by: gatewaytl
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Clay can be moulded and shaped in to any shape you can come imagine. claymation however can be sometimes split into two different subcategories. For the more professional animators, armature based models are often used. A second category can be described as free form or shapeless 3D animation. With armature supported models a form or kind of skeletal structure is covered in clay.
Such “armatures” are commonly made of steel framing or in other cases just wire. Unlike the free form stop motion animation it doesn’t use any internal skeleton type structure.
Recommending what clay is best for animation! An oil based Clay or Water Based Clay or maybe a polymer clay? Almost any type of clay will do for your 3D stop motion animation but there are some clays that are a lot easier to use for a numerous reasons.
However we recommend oil based clay or a good polymer soft clay. There are various brands on the market for claymation such as Van Aken or FIMO. We like FIMO soft or Van Aken ClayToon clay.
You will come across the other kind of clay and that is water based clay. Water based clay is clay mixed with water. It is usually cheap but it must be kept covered as it will dry out quickly.
Claymation with “ No Armature”
Some really good stop motion animation with clay can be made without using any armature (internal skeleton). Even human-like or animal-like figures can be made and move quiet convincingly without internal framing. Also the art of stop motion with clay blobs of abstract or non human-like figures or animal characters can be very amusing.
Clay with an Armature – Is it required to make a 3d Stop Motion Animation?
The answer is no. The only thing that limits a good stop motion animation is your imagination. So get out there and run your favourite stop motion animation software package and let you imagination run wild.
A definition of Stop Motion armature :
"Armature in stop motion animation is a skeletal type frame used to give support or rigidity to clay or other malleable material.”
About the Author
Mark Peterson is an experienced Claymation Animator based in Ireland. He has worked as a consultant for a number of clay animation software developers and wire frame armature manufacturers. currently writing more and more for iKITMovie.com
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