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Using DRAGONFRAME 4 Welcome Dragonframe is a stop-motion solution created by professional anima- tors—for professional animators. It's designed to complement how the pros animate. We hope this manual helps you get up to speed with Dragonframe quickly. The chapters in this guide give you the information you need to know to get proficient with Dragonframe: “Big Picture” on page 1 helps you get started with Dragonframe. “User Interface” on page 13 gives a tour of Dragonframe’s features. “Camera Connections” on page 39 helps you connect cameras to Drag- onframe. “Cinematography Tools” on page 73 and “Animation Tools” on page 107 give details on Dragonframe’s main workspaces. “Using the Timeline” on page 129 explains how to use the timeline in the Animation window to edit frames. “Alternative Shooting Techniques (Non Stop Motion)” on page 145 explains how to use Dragonframe for time-lapse. “Managing Your Projects and Files” on page 149 shows how to use Dragonframe to organize and manage your project. “Working with Audio Clips” on page 159 and “Reading Dialogue Tracks” on page 171 explain how to add an audip clip and create a track reading. “Using the X-Sheet” on page 187 explains our virtual exposure sheet. “Automate Lighting with DMX” on page 211 describes how to use DMX to automate lights. “Adding Input and Output Triggers” on page 241 has an overview of using Dragonframe to trigger events. “Motion Control” on page 249 helps you integrate your rig with the Arc Motion Control workspace or helps you use other motion control rigs. “Shooting in 3D” on page 319 explains how to connect Dragonframe to a stereo slider, set up 3D exposures, and review your 3D sequence. “Exporting Your Take” on page 335 explains how to access your files for post-production. “Preferences” on page 349 explains all of Dragonframe’s preferences and settings. iii Using Dragonframe 4 iv New Features for this Version Dragonframe 4 incorporates years of feedback from industry animators, camera technicians, directors and producers. New Features and Improvements Version 4.2 Changes • Increase maximum allowed video assist size to 1920 wide. (Video assist resolution is usually limited by camera.) • New take/exposure/frame notes stored in metadata text file for passing on to post-production. • Reference images can now be popped out into separate window. • New alternate composition guide layers, for framing for multiple deliveries. • New movie record tool in Cinematography workspace makes it more clear which settings will be used when camera is set to record video. • New motion control adjustment layer to apply bumps to moves. • New motion control “time warp” feature to stretch or compress final move over time. • New DMX keyframe table view. • Support for simple arithmetic in many Arc and DMX fields. • Support for 4K webcams and Elgato Cam Link 4K. • Spout integration on Windows (like Syphon on macOS). • Improvements for Auxiliary Monitor and Blackmagic Playback out- put. • Open Sound Control (OSC) input and output for integration with OSC-capable software. Version 4.1 Changes • New “Notepad” for keeping track of scene notes. v Using Dragonframe 4 • Up to eight “punch-in” positions of live view magnification. • Focus check support for Sony A7III and A7RIII. • Support for ARRI direct ARRIRAW capture. • Support for RED DSMC2 direct R3D capture. • Support for Pentax KP, K-1, K-1 Mark II, 645Z. • Support for Canon EOS M50, T7/1500D/2000D and 3000D/ 4000D. • Support for 3rd-party DMX hardware: ENTTEC DMX Pro and Art- Net protocol. • New gamepad controller integration for programming motion con- trol. • New 3D mouse support for motion control. • More virtualized axis configurations for motion control. • Motion control capture in reverse. Version 4.0 Changes • New “Guide Layers” makes it easy to set up composition guides, ref- erence layers and drawings. • Multiple reference layers with separate opacity, chromakeying and masking. • Integrated reference video player with animation time sync. • Timeline pre-roll area for setting up lead-in clip. • Multiple drawing layers with separate opacity. • Improved live view magnification tools. • New focus check tool within Animation workspace. • New color palette (swatch) sampling and comparison. • New color checking tools. • High-resolution image comparison tools (A/B). vi New Features and Improvements • Movie recording and playback for supported cameras. • Import multiple audio clips. • Custom DMX light profiles. • Improved live view and test shot setup in DMX. • Improved motion control keyframe editing. • Import raw motion control moves from Maya. • Support for many Sony Alpha A7 full frame mirrorless cameras. • Support for Olympus OMD E-M1, E-M1 II and E-M5 II micro four thirds cameras. • Support for Panasonic DMC-GH4 and GX8 micro four thirds cam- eras. vii Using Dragonframe 4 viii Table of Contents Welcome........................................................................................... iii New Features for this Version ................................................................. v New Features and Improvements......................................................................................... v Maps .............................................................................................. xiii Chapter 1: Big Picture ........................................................................... 1 How Dragonframe Works ..................................................................................................... 1 Powerful Tools....................................................................................................................... 3 Quick User Interface Overview ............................................................................................. 4 Activating Your Software ...................................................................................................... 6 Quick Set-Up Guide for Supported Video and Still Cameras .......................................................................................................................... 7 Passes, Takes and Exposures Explained............................................................................... 9 RAW File Workflow ............................................................................................................. 11 HDR (High Dynamic Range) Workflow .............................................................................. 11 Chapter 2: User Interface..................................................................... 13 Using Workspaces............................................................................................................... 13 Animation Workspace Overview ........................................................................................ 14 Cinematography Workspace Overview............................................................................... 16 X-Sheet Overview................................................................................................................ 17 Audio Workspace Overview ................................................................................................ 18 DMX Workspace Overview ................................................................................................. 19 Motion Control Workspace Overview................................................................................ 20 Dragonframe Keypad Overview.......................................................................................... 21 Menu Overview ................................................................................................................... 25 Chapter 3: Camera Connections............................................................. 39 Camera Options................................................................................................................... 39 Connecting DSLRs with Live View ..................................................................................... 42 Connecting DSLRs without Live View................................................................................ 42 Connecting HD Video Cameras with HDMI....................................................................... 43 Connecting a WiFi-Enabled Camera to Dragonframe ....................................................... 43 Connecting an Unsupported Camera to Dragonframe ...................................................... 44 Shooting Without a Video Assist ........................................................................................ 49 Switching Video or Capture Sources.................................................................................. 50 Chapter 4: Guide Layers ...................................................................... 53 Composition Guides............................................................................................................ 54 Track Reads......................................................................................................................... 58 Drawing Layers ................................................................................................................... 59 Media Layers ....................................................................................................................... 63 Reference Movie Player....................................................................................................... 69 Animation Palette ..............................................................................................................