Stop-motion animation & editing

Zu3D 5 · animation & editing

Make it move.
A little at a time.

A lump of clay waves. A paper creature shuffles across the table. Take a picture, move it a little and take another. Zu3D helps you turn those small changes into a film.

Zu3D 5 showing real captured clay-animation frames on the timeline

See the next move

See where you were.
Work out where to go.

Onion skinning overlays a faint view of your previous picture on the live camera image. See where your character was, judge the next movement and keep the action flowing.

It is just as useful for a paper rocket as a clay character. Adjust the opacity to find a view that works for you, then compare, move and capture.

Clay character with the previous arm position visible as a faint onion-skin overlay — The faint arm shows the previous position; the solid arm shows the next move.

Zu3D onion-skin opacity controls — Adjust the overlay to suit the shot.

Give it a moment.

A character spots something, pauses, then backs away. A few extra frames can turn a movement into a reaction. Timing is where a model starts to look as though it is thinking.

Path guides help plan a paper rocket’s movement

Plan the move

Plot a path for your character or cut-out to follow. Use the guide to keep each small move heading in the right direction.

A close-up of a clay character with frames on the timeline

Hold a thought

Hold a frame to give a reaction time to register. A pause before a surprise can be as expressive as the surprise itself.

Captured clay-animation frames ready for playback

Watch as you work

Choose the playback frame rate and watch your animation as you create. Spot a distracting frame, refine the timing and try another version while the set is still in place.

Frame editing and separate tracks in the Zu3D timeline

From pictures to scenes

Sort out the frames.
Then the scenes.

Zoom into the timeline to work with individual frames, or zoom out to arrange clips. Delete an unwanted picture, undo a change, split an animation and trim or extend a scene.

Keep the good bit, shorten the slow bit and remove the frame with your hand in it. You can tidy up an animation without filming it all again.

Once more, backwards.

Loop an action to keep it going, or use Boomerang to play it forwards and backwards. A wave, a bouncing creature or a swinging sign can become a repeating part of a bigger scene.

Clip properties used to split, trim or repeat an animation

What is on your table?

Handmade clay creature and tower — Example handmade models and scenery, created for filming.

Clay and models

Create an original cast and let posture, pauses and expressions give them personality.

A handmade paper rocket — A paper rocket made for this example.

Paper and drawings

Film from above and move cut-out pieces across your scene. Path guides help you plan the movement.

Paint, paper and hands making miniature scenery — Painting scenery on paper. Photograph your artwork to bring it into a film.

From the craft drawer

Paint a backdrop, fold some paper scenery or turn an old box into a set. Add a character and see what happens between frames.

A few things to know

Do I need Spark to animate?

No. Zu3D 5 can use a compatible built-in camera or webcam. Spark gives you a separate Wi-Fi camera you can position independently of your screen.

Can I fix a mistake?

Yes. Review and delete individual frames, adjust clips and use Undo as you edit. Keeping your project means you can return to your film and make another version.

Put the tools to work

Make your next idea.

Use Zu3D 5 with a compatible camera, or explore the Classic Kit for a USB camera, modelling materials and handbook.

Get Zu3D 5 Shop the Classic Kit

Some creative tools require Zu3D 5 Premium. Following the printed Classic handbook? Get Zu3D M and its matching help.

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Stop-motion animation & editing

Make it move.
A little at a time.

See where you were.
Work out where to go.