How to build a bullet-time rig with Camera360

We’re often asked about how to build a rig to take bullet-time pictures. Our Camera360 software makes it very easy to take pictures, but you still have to get the cameras and the physical setup. Here is a guideline to help you.

Our basic Camera360 setup: an aluminum structure, light and easy to build and setup.

Choosing the cameras

Camera360 supports two types of cameras, Android devices (any modern phone will work!) and Raspberry Pi.

The RaspberryPi is a credit card–sized computer, which with its camera module works as a very inexpensive solution for Camera360. It also features Ethernet support, which is more stable and faster than Wi-fi, so the time synchrony will be better and the photos will be downloaded faster.

Android phones have more camera options, and high-end models have excellent optics and camera quality. They are a better option if you are looking for very high-quality and cost is not an issue.

Mechanical structure

Once you have the cameras, you need to place them on a physical structure. Anything will work, as long as:

• it’s stable.
• the cameras can be aligned. We suggest 3D printed holder for the cameras, but you can use phone holders for cars as well.
• if you are building a 180 or 360 degree setup, it should be round. Even smaller angles work better with round structures. You can bend a metal tube for that or buy a structure that is ready.
• you have electrical power to keep the phones or Pis on.
• remember to think about lighting as well.

Networking

We suggest the following network topology:

This way devices are connected in a private LAN, without internet access (so your android devices won’t try to download updates in the middle of your shooting), but you can send pictures to our cloud server right away.

Software

Camera360 does everything for you: with just one click you take the pictures, which are processed by the computer and you get a GIF/MP4/list of JPEGs. You can also:

• control camera settings, like ISO or exposure
• add overlays and watermarks
• check camera status
• get images online to our Camera360 Cloud Server immediately, sending emails to your customers or integrating with social media, all using your own domain. We do everything for you, no technical expertise required at all.

You can download a free trial and test a basic two-phone bullet-time rig. Start now!