The art (and science) of stop-motion animation | Brian McLean

The podcast episode delves into the intersection of stop-motion animation and 3D printing, highlighting innovations pioneered at Leica. Visual effects artist Brian McLean explains the principle of persistence of vision, which makes animation possible, and how 3D printing has revolutionized stop-motion filmmaking. He details the evolution from hand-painted faces to color printing, addressing challenges like humidity affecting color accuracy. The introduction of voxel printing, creating three-dimensional pixels, allowed for sophisticated color control and material combinations. This technology's potential extends beyond entertainment, with Leica contributing to medical advancements, such as 3D-printed replicas for surgical practice. McLean also showcases a custom-built device demonstrating real-time replacement animation.