This Instructable will cover the basics of Stop Motion Animation using the Stop Motion Studio App.

Stop Motion is way of creating moving images by filming an object and moving it slightly between each frame. It can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Its perfect for a rainy day activity for kids of all ages and abilities.

Stop Motion is a great way to assist little creators in telling stories in a fun and mostly mess-free way using paper crafts, LEGO minifugures, action figures, basic everyday objects or even people.

Two important things to keep in mind with stop motion:

Place the camera on a sturdy surface or tripod
Do not touch/move the camera

For IOS devices, the headphones that came with the device can be used as a camera trigger or you can use the Timer function in the Stop Motion Studio App

Supplies

Smart phone or tablet
Camera Support/Tripod
Stop Motion Studio Pro for Mobile
Random Toys or Paper cut-outs
Background (cardstock or foam core)
Scenery (dollar store plants)

Optional

Remote Release (headphones)
Fun-Tak Mounting Putty
Play doh

Step 1: Stop Motion Studio

The user interface is quite intuitive

Stop Motion Studio Pro allows you to easily:

Capture Images
Import Images
Edit images
- Add Text and Drawings
- Add facial movement to LEGO characters
Add Voice Over/Audio
Export as Animated GIF, video, flip book or image files
Reverse Sequences
Delete images from a sequence

Step 2: Start a New Movie

Before starting a new project, take a couple of minutes to get to know the app and button layout. Once you are ready to begin a project:

Open the app
Tap the New Movie icon
Tap the Camera icon
Take photos

Step 3: Timer

To avoid touching (moving) the camera while taking photos, you can use a remote trigger or the built-in Timer function. If you are using a remote trigger like an apple watch (I haven't tried it) or headphones, skip this step.

In Capture mode:

Tap the Timer icon
Use the Slider to set the desired Interval
Tap the check mark above the Interval Slider
Tap the Red button to start taking photos
- Move the objects during the interval between the images being taken
Tap the Red button to stop the process when you are done.

Step 4: Set Up the Set

Set up the background and scenery for your objects to move around in
Aquarium and terrarium plants from a dollar store are colorful and inexpensive options for scenery
Basic white poster board is used for the background here

Optional:

If you want to hold your scenery or objects in place, a bit of mounting putty work well and cleans up easily
Use cardstock to create a bright and colorful background

Step 5: Set Up Camera (or Device)

Place your Smart Phone or tablet on sturdy support. A tripod is recommended, however, a tablet in a case that holds it upright works well too.
Try to place the camera at eye-level to the subject. In this case, the little dinosaurs.
If you are using headphones to trigger the camera, connect them now.

Pro Tip

If you do not have a tripod, a ball of Playdoh will support most smart phones :
- I placed the playdoh on a post it to keep the white background from staining red

Step 6: Sequence Example

These are all of the individual images that make up the Stop Motion video in the introduction. The final video is about a minute, so you do not have to capture as many images. Keep in mind, this includes a little Dino story as well as an brief introduction and supplies needed for Stop Motion.

Aim for ~150 images to begin with. It sounds like a lot, but it really isn't.

Step 7: Capture Images

From the Capture Screen control exposure, zoom, white balance, front vs rear camera use, the grid overlay, onion skinning and timer functions

Place something in front of the camera
Take a photo
Move the object slightly
Take a photo
Repeat many times
~150 times for a 15 second video

Onion Skinning Or Ghosting allows you to see the camera's live view over the last image recorded. It is helpful in deciding how much to move your figure.

Use the slider on the left to change this opacitySlide up for the current camera view.
Slide down to see the previous frame. In the middle gives you a blend of both.

Step 8: Play Sequence

After you have taken a 10-20 images tap the Play button to see your film

Step 9: Delete Images

To delete an unwanted image from your Timeline:

Tap on the image
Tap on the Delete icon

If you accidentally deleted an image:

Tap the Undo icon (the arrow under the camera icon)
Tap the Undo delete frame pop up

Step 10: Add Images to Timeline

If you forgot to take a shot or just want to add images mid-sequence:

Tap on an image
Tap Insert Camera
Capture as many images as necessary
When you are done Capturing Images
- Tap on the Camera icon in the Timeline
- Tap Send Camera to End to place the camera at the end of the Timeline

Step 11: Reverse Sequence

Reversing a sequence is simple and can add a bit of fun to your film

From your Timeline:

Press on an image
Tap Select in the pop up menu
Tap on all the images in the sequence to reverse
Tap on the last image selected
Tap Reverse in the pop up menu

To Undo, simply tap the Undo icon in the upper right

Step 12: Export and Share

To export your Film tap on the Back Arrow on the top Left
Long press on the film to be exported
Tap on the Share Icon
Tap Export Movie
Select the export location
Done!

Step 13: That's It!

Those are the basics. Once you are comfortable with creating a short sequence, try the advanced features like Green Screen and adding motion to a LEGO figure's face.

Let me know in the comments if you would like a similar Instructable covering the more advanced features.

Happy Film Making!