This instructable will hopefully help the average person get to know the basics of stop motion animation and allow them to create free animations of there own. As this is my first instructable, please be reasonable. constructive criticism very welcome. Please leave comments on ideas for any instructable you would like to see next. Thank you and enjoy!

Step 1: Gather Materials

First you will need the software used for stop motion capture. In this case i use a wonderfull program called monkeyjam. You can find a full software download at: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Graphic/Graphic-Capture/MonkeyJam.shtml. You will also need a working webcam. Any kind will do but i find that a logitech quickcam is the best for stop motion.

Step 2: Open an XML.

After opening the program for the first time you will need to click the first button in the row. This will open a new exposure sheet or XML. when the dialog opens, type the name of your project in the area where it says "layer 1".

Step 3: Begin Capturing Video.

Once you have successfully opened a new XML project you will need to click on the button that looks like a video camera. this will open another box. in this box you will need to select "stop motion" under the mode tab.

Step 4: Enjoy!

click the capture button to take a picture for the next frame. when you have finished you can save the XML for later additions or save it as an AVI video and post it on youtube or in one of the comments on this page. (if possible) have fun creating stop motion videos!
Space
Ducky

Step 5: Extra Hints/Tips

When creating a video it is best to move the subject in small increments. for example, if you move the subject to far per frame your video will end up a bit choppy. whereas if you move the subject in smaller amounts, the video will be much smoother. (this takes more time but is worth it for the final result). you can also set the FPS (frames per second) in the option tab. try out different techniques and see which ones work best for you. After saving the video to an AVI format you can open it in Windows Movie Maker to add free sound effects credits and transitions to your video.