Working with iStopMotion Remote Camera

iStopMotion 3 includes the ability to use a remote iPhone, iPod touch or iPad as an external camera for iStopMotion. This is done through the use of a special app called 'iStopMotion Remote Camera' (short 'iStopCamera') running on iPhone / iPod touch / iPad.

These devices, especially the latest iPhone model, have great cameras that can capture video in up to 1080p resolution and are fairly affordable compared to other HD video cameras. Most models allow setting Exposure and White Balance and some models like iPhone 4 and later, iPad (3rd generation) or later and the iPod touch (5th generation) even have the ability to set a specific focus point.

Getting the app

iStopMotion Remote Camera for iPhone 4 (or later) iPod touch (4th generation or later) and iPad 2 (or later) is available free of charge from the App Store. Download and install the app before continuing.

How to use iStopCamera:

  1. Install the iStopMotion Remote Camera (appears on your Home Screen as 'iStopCamera') on an iPhone 4 (or later), iPod touch (4th generation or later) or iPad 2 (or later).
  2. Make sure that both devices, your Mac with iStopMotion and the other device running the iStopCamera app, are on the same Wi-Fi network. (Use System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi on your Mac, Settings > Wi-Fi on iOS to select the appropriate network.)
  3. Run both iStopMotion (on your Mac) and iStopMotion Remote Camera ('iStopCamera') on your other device.
  4. An entry with the name of the device running iStopMotion Remote Camera ('iStopCamera') will appear in the Sources menu. Select it to connect to the remote camera.
  5. A connection request appears on the screen of the device running the iStopMotion Remote Camera ('iStopCamera') app. Tap Accept to allow the connection to be established.
  6. The video from the remote camera appears on your Mac screen.
  7. You may setup the camera image to suit your needs, see below for instructions.
  8. The remote camera is now ready.

Controlling Camera Features

Due to hardware differences, not all devices running the iStopMotion Remote Camera app have the same features. As of this writing, iPhone 4 or laten, iPad (3rd generation) or later and the iPod touch (5th generation) support all features implemented by iStopMotion 3 and iStopMotion Remote Camera version 2.0.

In order to set up the camera, open the Source section in the Recording sidebar, make sure you have a remote camera device selected and press the Settings… button. This will show two cursors in the preview area on the left, one for focus and a second one for exposure.

Focus

Focus of the camera is set by dragging the respecitve cursor to the point that you want to be focussed. Upon releasing the cursor, the camera will try to focus on the area around the point. Please keep trying in case the camera cannot find focus on the first attempt.

Only back cameras of devices with modern cameras like iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and third generation iPad support setting focus. Other devices usually have a fixed focus lens.

Exposure

Much in the same way as with focus, drag the exposure cursor to the region of the camera image that should be exposed correctly. Keep trying until you are satisfied with the visual result.

Additionally, choose in the sidebar whether you want the exposure to adopt to lighting changes in the selected area of the image (option 'Continuous') or stay in fixed exposure (option 'Fixed') as just set up.

White Balance

White Balance can only be controlled from the sidebar. By default White Balance continuously updates to the scene in front of the camera. As this can lead to strange color changes in the movie, it is recommended to set it up to a specific color and lock it.

How to set up White Balance:

  1. Make sure White Balance is set to 'Unlocked' in the sidebar.
  2. Place a big piece of white or neutral gray paper or cardboard in your scene
  3. Wait for a second or two to let the camera to adjust the color.
  4. Select 'Locked' in the sidebar next to White Balance.
  5. You can now remove the paper and animate your scene.