Herb Montes
02-19-2008, 10:16 PM
I did a test of the four light tracers I use for animation in terms of light intensity and eveness. The items tested were my 12 field Acme animation disc on my drawing board with a large 2 tube fluorescent light under it. The thin Lightmaster A3 size light pad. An Artograph Light Tracer that can be found at craft and hobby stores, the smaller 9" by 12" plastic model. This has a single small fluorescent tube. And the aluminum Seerite lightbox which has three medium size fluorescent tubes and has a tracing surface of about 16" by 18". Light readings were taken with a Weston model 540 light meter. Meter readings were taken from the scale on the meter. The results:
1. Acme animation disc in drawing board with large two bulb fluorescent light - even lighting
Meter reading: 6.5
2. Lightmaster A3 light pad - even lighting
Meter reading: 6.0
3. Artograph Light Tracer - 9" by 12" - single small fluorescent tube - uneven lighting, tube at top, light dispersed with reflector in box
Meter reading: 3.0 to 5.0
4. Seerite Lightbox - 16" by 18" with three fluorescent tubes - uneven lighting with three tubes
Meter reading: 6.0 to 6.5
Most had even lighting across the tracing surface. The Seerite had a few dark spots and the Artograph was not acceptable.
Paper levels test - Maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on light boards and still be able to read the bottom level with a pencil sketch and a lightbox with a 6.0 average light intensity.
16 pound paper - 6 to 8 sheets of paper - ideal number is 6
20 pound paper - 4 to 6 sheets - ideal number is 4
Animation paper can be bought in the thinner 16 pound thickness. Most copy paper is about 20 pounds.
As you can see from the results most light boxes produce enough even lighting for animation. The cheap Artograph light tracers are not really good for this and could barely show through 3 layers of paper. So if you're making your own animation tracing board always go for good even lighting.
1. Acme animation disc in drawing board with large two bulb fluorescent light - even lighting
Meter reading: 6.5
2. Lightmaster A3 light pad - even lighting
Meter reading: 6.0
3. Artograph Light Tracer - 9" by 12" - single small fluorescent tube - uneven lighting, tube at top, light dispersed with reflector in box
Meter reading: 3.0 to 5.0
4. Seerite Lightbox - 16" by 18" with three fluorescent tubes - uneven lighting with three tubes
Meter reading: 6.0 to 6.5
Most had even lighting across the tracing surface. The Seerite had a few dark spots and the Artograph was not acceptable.
Paper levels test - Maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on light boards and still be able to read the bottom level with a pencil sketch and a lightbox with a 6.0 average light intensity.
16 pound paper - 6 to 8 sheets of paper - ideal number is 6
20 pound paper - 4 to 6 sheets - ideal number is 4
Animation paper can be bought in the thinner 16 pound thickness. Most copy paper is about 20 pounds.
As you can see from the results most light boxes produce enough even lighting for animation. The cheap Artograph light tracers are not really good for this and could barely show through 3 layers of paper. So if you're making your own animation tracing board always go for good even lighting.