12 . MACHINE WEEK
Mechanical Design (part 1 of 2)
Group assignment:
Design a machine that includes mechanism + actuation + automation + application Build the mechanical parts and operate it manually Document the group project
Individual assignment:
Document your individual contribution
Machine Design (part 2 of 2)
Group assignment:
Actuate and automate your machine Document the group project
Individual assignment:
This week i was assigned as the Video Grapher .I was not present for a week , as part of my business i did had to go to china , for attending canton fair and chinaplas exhibition. So i Took the job of a video editor . I am editing the video so i get a final presentation video .
Velichapaad (വെളിച്ചപ്പാട്) – Light Painting Machine
Individual Documentation – Video Shooting & Editing Project Overview. For weeks 12 and 13, our group worked on designing and building Velichapaad, an automatic light painting machine. The goal was to create a device that could automate the process of light painting—a photographic technique where moving a light source during a long-exposure shot produces beautiful light trails. Our machine uses a CoreXY mechanism to move a programmable LED module, allowing us to "paint" in midair and capture the results with a camera.
My Role: Video Shooting & Editing
From the start, I took charge of documenting our journey through video. My main tasks included:
Planning and capturing footage of the entire process: brainstorming, mechanical assembly, electronics integration, and the final machine in action.
Shooting B-rolls to highlight key features—like the CoreXY movement, LED end-effector, and the unique locking mechanisms.
Recording the light painting process, including setup, camera settings, and capturing the final images.
Editing all the raw footage into a cohesive video that tells the story of our project, demonstrates how the machine works, and showcases the art we created.
Process & Workflow
- Pre-Production & Planning
I coordinated with the team to identify important milestones and moments to capture.
Made a shot list to ensure I covered each phase: ideation, CAD modeling, fabrication, electronics, assembly, and testing.
- Shooting
Used a DSLR and smartphone to record both wide shots and close-ups.
Paid special attention to lighting and focus, especially during night shoots for the light painting demos.
Captured time-lapses of the assembly and setup.
Filmed interviews and team discussions to add a personal touch.
3. Editing
Imported all footage into my video editor (I used Capcut for this project).
Organized clips by phase and selected the best takes.
Synced the visuals with background music that matched the creative and technical vibe of our project.
Added captions, transitions, and overlays to explain key concepts—like how the CoreXY mechanism works and how the LED end-effector is controlled wirelessly.
Included before/after shots of the light painting output for maximum impact.
Use VPN since capcut is banned in India . so you get many effects.
- Final Touches
Compressed the video for web upload, ensuring good quality and fast loading.
Exported different versions for the group page and for sharing on social media.
What I Learned I gained hands-on experience in documenting a technical project, from planning to post-production.
Learned to communicate complex processes visually—making sure even non-technical viewers could understand how our machine works.
Improved my skills in video editing, storytelling, and working under tight deadlines.
Understood the importance of good lighting and camera settings, especially for capturing the magic of light painting.
Challenges & Solutions
Low-light shooting: Light painting needs darkness, so I experimented with camera settings (low ISO, long exposure, wide aperture) to get crisp trails.
Keeping the story clear: With so many technical steps, I focused on showing the big picture first, then zooming in on the details.
Time management: Balanced shooting and editing alongside other group tasks by setting daily goals and updating the team on progress.
Conclusion
Being responsible for the video documentation gave me a unique perspective on our project. I got to witness every stage up close and help tell the story of Velichapaad in a way that’s engaging and informative. I’m proud of how the final video turned out—it captures not just the machine, but the creativity and teamwork that went into making it.
This documentation reflects my individual contribution as the video lead for our group project. For more technical details on the machine’s design, electronics, and programming, please refer to my teammates’ pages.