Introducing LENSMap: A Tool for Measurable, Repeatable Lens Calibration in Stop-Motion

May 20

We’re excited to announce the public preview release of LENSMap, an open-source calibration tool developed by LIMNMEDIA to bring structure and precision to lens profiling in stop-motion cinematography.

Stop-motion artists often rely on practical intuition when working with lenses—especially in setups like downshooters, multiplane rigs, or vintage optics with no digital readouts. But when it comes time to composite multiple passes, scale puppets between stages, or integrate digital elements, even subtle inconsistencies in focal length or focus distance can cause drift, distortion, or misalignment.

LENSMap solves this by making lens behavior measurable.

This browser-based tool allows you to:

Capture effective focal length
Begin building your own lens profile library—even for older or adapted lenses not fully supported by modern metadata standards

The current version is functional and stable, designed for hands-on calibration and educational use. While the full version with lens profile sharing and integrated documentation is still in development, this release is already a powerful tool for animators, educators, and studios seeking to tighten their optical workflows.

Whether you’re shooting on a downshooter, aligning multiplane passes, or coordinating CG extensions, LENSMap brings clarity and structure to an often-overlooked part of the stop-motion process.