Automatic camera effects system (ACES)
Steven N. Crane, R. David Snyder · 1980
The need to achieve realism in theatrical motion pictures with miniature models requires precise positioning, close tolerances, and a high degree of repeatability. A particular movement of the camera and the subject(s) may be repeated several times to create mattes or other special effects involving multiple exposures. Traditionally, miniatures photography has been performed "by hand." Each frame would be set up and shot individually, a tedious and time consuming procedure. Effects work of this sort was very expensive and required special skills and lots of patience; consequently, very little of this type of filming was done. The introduction of electronic, and recently computerized, motion control has tremendously advanced the state of the art. It is now possible to create effects relatively easily and inexpensively that a few years ago would not have been feasible. Electronic motion control enables the film maker to control the orientation of the camera and subject to a high degree of precision and move the system through several degrees of freedom.