One of the simpler camera movements available to an animator, the dolly rig allows you to traverse your scene along a guided path.
The frame tape can be stuck down behind the rig if space allows or placed inside one of the tracks so each frame position can be followed.
This is not a difficult or expensive rig to build but you may be surprised just how cheaply you can buy them; we suggest you have a look before reaching for the toolkit.
If you do want to build one yourself then source a good set of wheels first and measure them for the tracks. Aluminium channel is relatively cheap and relatively easy to source in most sizes.
This rig allows you to smoothly pull focus and zoom from one position to another. Just mark and measure your start and end points then create a frame tape to match.
This rig looks far more complicated than it is. Each of the two discs connected to either the zoom or focus of the camera are exactly the same. The discs are made from 2 hoops, one small to fit around the camera dial and the larger to allow the frame tape to be affixed. We used m4 bolts in slightly undersized holes to gently grip zoom or focus dial.
The last part is the current frame marker, this is just a small hoop cut down to make fitting easier with two bolts and a riser bar added for the frame guide pin to sit in.
This rig can be used to manipulate a model on wires moving through a scene. The wires are attached to the two round support bars on the bottom disk allowing the model to tilt, rotate, rise and traverse the scene.
The red pin markers allow accurate position tracking on a frame tape for each of these movements if required.
Our test rigs are made of softwood and use M4 bolts to hold it all together, we found aluminium wire and a can of red spray paint worked well for the guide markers. The only unusual part is the thumb-screw needed to hold the vertical slide in place, we recommend you look for a large one as the smaller ones can be fiddly during use.
Similar to the model flying rig the camera flying rig allow you to move practically anywhere in a scene with a full range of movement in all directions and angles.
The running top bars supporting the main top bar could also be added to the model flying rig if more complex flying / dancing / jumping actions are required.
As this rig supports a camera a sturdier construction is required. When planning the construction start with the dimensions of the intended camera or cameras and work outward from there.
The central raise / lower bar should be intentionally oversized for support and to cut down on wobble in the rig as much as possible.
Note the second hinge support next to the camera, this is needed to prevent a slight lean that can result from the cameras weight warping the platform.
With any type of camera support we always recommend making the rig sturdier than required as a falling camera is never a welcome event.
This is not a rig; it is a thank you to the model-viewer team whose amazing work helped bring this rigs section to life.
Other than being really cool, we found that adding 3d models to the page helps people to understand how real-world mechanisms should work and gain a deeper understanding of their use.
If you would like to implement 3d models in your own website we recommend you check out the model-viewer web site here: