Appendix: Glossary


Boinx iStopMotion is an application for creating stop motion and time lapse movies. This glossary explains some of the key terminology used in Boinx iStopMotion, animating and computing.


Boinx iStopMotion
Software for controlling image devices and creating stop-motion animation and time-lapse movies.

Capture
The term which refers to selecting and taking the image for use in iStopmotion.

Final Cut Express/Pro/HD
Advanced movie editing software available from Apple.

FireWire (IEEE 1394)
Cable connection for connecting video cameras and other peripheral devices to your computer.

Frame
A single image in a footage.

Frame Rate
The rate at which images are run, typically 24, 25 or 30 frames per second.

Graphics Card
The circuit board that controls the display of graphics on your computer screen.

Helper Application
A seperate software application that allows you to enhance your captured images.

iMovie
The basic film editing software that comes with your Macintosh.

Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP)
The protocol used to transfer images between a still-image camera and your computer.

Pixels
The tiny dots used to create an image on your screen.

Chroma Keying (also known as greenscreen)
By removing a certain color from the picture, a part of the movie will be transparent, allowing a background image to show through.

Rotoscope
Here you project scenes frame by frame to recreate them in animation.

QuickTime
Software component from Apple that allows the manipulation and playback audio and video.

Screen Resolution
The number of pixels your screen can display in the horizontal and vertical directions respectivly.

Start Timecode
The timecode (see below) at which your movie or sequence will start.

Stop Motion Animation
The method of creating animation by taking a still picture of a target object, moving the object and taking further images. When played back quickly, the sequence gives the impression of movement.

Timecode
A way of indicating where in your film you are. It combines seconds and frames.

Time Lapse
A sequence of images taken at set time intervals.

USB (or USB 2.0)
Cable connection for connecting still-image cameras and other peripheral devices to your computer.