LIMNTPS Support

Camera Setup, Documentation & Recovery for Stop-Motion Animation

Welcome to LIMNTPS Support!

LIMNTPS is a camera setup and recovery application developed by LIMNMEDIA. It uses the Three-Point System (TPS) to help stop-motion animators document camera geometry, preserve camera setup information, and recover camera positions using measured reference points.

Whether you're documenting a new shot, returning to an interrupted animation, or learning how to align a camera using reference geometry, this page will help you get started.

Getting Started

What Is LIMNTPS?

LIMNTPS helps you create a measurable record of your camera setup.

Instead of relying entirely on visual guesswork, LIMNTPS uses three reference points and their measured distances to calculate camera geometry and generate alignment references.

The resulting files can be saved, shared, and used to help reproduce your camera setup.

LIMNTPS does not automatically move or reposition your camera. It provides the measurements and reference materials needed to guide the alignment process.

What You'll Need

Before starting, prepare:

A reference image from your camera setup.
Three identifiable, stationary points visible in the image.
Measurements of the distances between those three points.
Camera and lens information.
Focus distance and camera tilt information, as required by the app.

For best results, choose reference points that are easy to identify precisely and will remain stationary throughout your production.

The LIMNTPS Workflow

Step 1 — Import Your Reference Image

Open LIMNTPS and import an image from your camera setup.

The app reads available image metadata (EXIF) to help identify camera and lens information.

Review the imported information and correct or complete any missing details.

Step 2 — Identify Your Three Reference Points

Select three identifiable points in the image.

These points are labeled:

Together, they form your reference triangle.

Choose points that are clearly visible, stationary, and sufficiently separated to provide useful geometric information.

Accurate point placement is important for reliable calculations.

Step 3 — Enter Your Measurements

Measure the physical distances between your reference points.

Enter the three triangle sides:

AB — Distance between points A and B.
BC — Distance between points B and C.
CA — Distance between points C and A.

Use consistent measurement units.

LIMNTPS uses these measurements to establish the physical geometry of your reference triangle.

Step 4 — Review Camera Information

Confirm the camera information required for the calculation.

Depending on your setup, this may include:

Camera manufacturer and model.
Lens information.
Sensor dimensions.
Focus distance.
Camera tilt.
Camera roll, when applicable.

LIMNTPS uses camera and sensor information to help calculate the geometry needed for camera alignment.

Step 5 — Calculate Your Setup

Once the reference points, measurements, and camera information are entered, LIMNTPS calculates the camera geometry.

Review the results and correct any missing or inconsistent information.

The calculated information becomes part of your camera setup record.

Step 6 — Save Your A-Side

Save your original camera setup as your A-Side reference.

The A-Side represents the camera position and reference geometry you want to preserve or reproduce.

This provides the foundation for a future camera recovery or alignment workflow.

Step 7 — Export Your Files

LIMNTPS can generate several useful output files, including:

TPS file — Portable camera setup and reference geometry data.
Reference overlay — Visual alignment reference.
Camera report — Structured camera and measurement information.

Depending on the export workflow, reference materials may include SVG, PNG, HTML, or CSV formats.

Save these files alongside your animation project so they remain available when you need to recover your setup.

Camera Alignment & Recovery

Recovering a Camera Setup

If your camera has moved or your set has been rebuilt, your saved A-Side reference can help guide the recovery process.

A typical recovery workflow involves:

Restore the original reference points in the scene.
Load your saved camera setup information.
Position your camera near its original location.
Match the original camera and lens settings.
Use your reference overlay to compare the current image with the original.
Adjust camera position and orientation until the reference points align.
Verify the alignment before continuing animation.

The Three-Point System provides measurable references to support this process.

Using LIMNTPS with Dragonframe

LIMNTPS can generate visual reference overlays suitable for use in Dragonframe workflows.

These overlays can help you compare your current camera image against the original reference geometry.

For best results:

Match the original camera and lens configuration.
Confirm your focus distance.
Establish the correct camera tilt.
Align your reference points carefully.
Verify the overall composition before resuming animation.

LIMNTPS is an independent application developed by LIMNMEDIA and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dragonframe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Three-Point System?

The Three-Point System (TPS) is a geometric approach to documenting and recovering camera setups.

Three identifiable reference points establish a triangle in the scene.

By combining their image positions, physical measurements, and camera information, TPS provides a mathematical reference for camera alignment.

Do I need a motion-control camera?

No.

LIMNTPS can be used with manually positioned cameras, tripods, camera supports, and motion-control systems.

The app provides reference geometry and setup documentation regardless of how the camera is physically positioned.

Does LIMNTPS automatically align my camera?

No.

LIMNTPS calculates camera geometry and generates reference materials.

You perform the physical camera adjustments.

Can I use LIMNTPS without an internet connection?

Yes.

LIMNTPS is designed to work offline, including its camera and sensor reference data.

Do I need an account?

No.

LIMNTPS does not require an account or cloud service.

Does LIMNTPS require a subscription?

No.

LIMNTPS is designed as a one-time purchase without recurring subscription fees.

What happens if my camera isn't in the database?

Camera and sensor information is important for accurate geometric calculations.

If your camera isn't listed, check whether the app allows you to enter the required specifications manually.

You can also report missing camera information to LIMNMEDIA so we can improve device support.

Yes.

TPS files are intended to provide portable camera setup information that can be stored with a project or shared with collaborators.

Can I use LIMNTPS with other animation software?

LIMNTPS uses a file-based workflow.

Exported reference images, overlays, and reports may be useful in other applications that support the relevant file formats.

Specific integration capabilities depend on the receiving software.

What is the difference between LIMNTPS and LIMNTPS Align?

LIMNTPS is used to document camera setups, calculate geometry, and generate reference files.

LIMNTPS Align is a separate application being developed to assist with camera alignment using a live camera view and TPS reference overlays.

The two applications are designed to complement each other.

Troubleshooting

My reference points don't align correctly.

Check the following:

Confirm that points A, B, and C were placed accurately.
Verify the measured distances AB, BC, and CA.
Check your camera and sensor information.
Confirm the lens and focal length information.
Verify focus distance and camera tilt.
Make sure your physical reference points have not moved.

Small measurement errors can affect alignment accuracy.

My calculated results seem incorrect.

Verify that:

All three triangle measurements are correct.
Measurement units are consistent.
The reference points form a valid triangle.
Camera and sensor dimensions are correct.
Focus distance is measured using the expected reference.
Required camera orientation information has been entered.

If the problem continues, contact LIMNMEDIA Support.

My camera or sensor isn't listed.

Please send us:

Camera manufacturer.
Camera model.
Lens model, if applicable.
Sensor specifications, if available.
Device operating system.

This information helps us improve our camera and sensor database.

I can't export my files.

Check that:

Your setup has been saved successfully.
Required measurements are complete.
Camera information has been validated.
Your device has sufficient available storage.
The destination application supports the exported file format.

If an export repeatedly fails, please report the issue.

Report a Bug

Found a problem with LIMNTPS?

We appreciate bug reports and feedback.

When contacting support, please include:

LIMNTPS version.
Device manufacturer and model.
Operating system version.
Description of the problem.
Steps needed to reproduce it.
Screenshots or error messages, if available.

Please avoid sharing passwords, account credentials, or sensitive personal information.

Documentation & Resources

LIMNMEDIA Stop-Motion Dictionary

Explore terminology and techniques used in stop-motion camera work, animation, and visual effects.

Explore the Stop-Motion Dictionary

LIMNMEDIA on GitHub

Explore our public software projects, technical resources, and open-source development.

Visit LIMNMEDIA on GitHub

LIMNMEDIA Community

Join our Discord community to discuss stop-motion techniques, ask questions, share feedback, and follow development.

Join the LIMNMEDIA Discord

Contact LIMNTPS Support

Need additional help?

LIMNMEDIA Support

Email: [email protected]

Website: limnmedia.com

We welcome questions, bug reports, feature requests, and feedback from animators of all experience levels.

About LIMNMEDIA

LIMNMEDIA develops accessible tools, technology, and educational resources for stop-motion animation.

Founded by a stop-motion visual effects professional with over 20 years of production experience, LIMNMEDIA focuses on making professional camera techniques and production workflows available to independent artists, students, educators, and studios.

LIMNTPS is part of our growing ecosystem of tools for camera geometry, alignment, motion control, and animation production.

Less guesswork. More animation.

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