do any of you use armatures in your models if so what do you use?

I like armaverse armatures, but WAY EXPENSIVE!!! wire like floral wire works well. There is a new product with sculpey that's light and slightly flexible.

Plasjas i heard the best thing to use is aluminium wire but i tinks its expensive

The Quans I have tried floral wire but found it to have too much memory(wanting to spring back).

Also I have used copper wire the house wire electrics type, this has less memory than steel wire or floral, but more than Aluminium.

I'm experimenting with ball & socket armatures but it can be very time consuming if you build your own.
Here is a picture of my atempt( still need to finish the feet properly).

PS you can get Aluminium wire from here http://www.chromacolour.co.uk/store/animation_stopmo_wire.asp

Click here to view the full image

That's similar to Armaverse armatures, where did you come by them and how much are they? I've been trying to locate an inexpensive route for ball and socket. I just use what's on hand right now (can't beat free) I used to work at a wholesale floral co.

I used the joints from several sets of helping hands( see picture) a length of small bar cut to the right sizes, drilled and tapped the ends + loads of spare time.
The helping hands only cost £2(sterling) from a warehose store.

Click here to view the full image

We can get aluminium wire from our art department for free cant we plasjas!

thanks for the info guys p.s i think your ball and socket armature is really good

cavor

Here is an interesting link, its a drawing with full details of an Aardmans training puppet like the one in there book 'cracking animation' (the weight lifting guy)

http://mag.awn.com/issue9.07/9.07images/shaw03_StopMotion-06-03.jpg

This is cool!

nice 1

Look at my armature tutorial in this forum.