Stop Motion Armature Test | Experimental Animation with 3D Pen & Mechanical Rig

This recording presents a technical exploration in stop-motion animation through the construction and manipulation of a skeletal armature. The articulated rig is designed with hinge joints that replicate human biomechanics, allowing precise study of balance, range of motion, and controlled gesture. A handheld 3D printing pen is applied to extend the figure’s outline, fusing drawn plastic lines with engineered metallic elements to create a hybrid structure that merges improvised fabrication with mechanical stability. The experiment situates itself within the broader lineage of stop-motion innovation, recalling techniques from Willis O’Brien’s King Kong (1933) and Ray Harryhausen’s fantasy animations, while also aligning with contemporary puppet-building practices at studios such as Laika, Aardman Animations, and Mackinnon & Saunders. By combining accessible maker technologies with established rigging methods, the study illustrates how new material combinations can open research pathway