Cloud Stop Motion works on any modern device with an up to date browser, and has been optimized for cloud-based use with Chromebooks.
We have a number or schools and libraries who utilize increased storage alongside our Premium Animating Features (green screening, timelapse, import images and so on...) by applying for grant funding as Cloud Stop Motion provides many enhancements to everyday learning. Critical thinking, planning, time management, teamwork, improving digital skills, a new creative medium which many children have not previously experienced (which in turn can improve mental health by being used as an outlet channel in imaginary play) are just some of the key benefits.
The easiest way for you to get what you need in terms of costing/invoices for Purchase Orders (PO) would be to follow these simple steps:
- Navigate to app.cloudstopmotion.com/welcome and click the middle Sign in button
- If your school utilizes the Google Education or Microsoft 365 eco-systems, then even if you do not yet have an account you can click the appropriate Google/Microsoft Single Sign On (SSO) portal button and, if required, a new account will be created on the fly (this is how we recommend you eventually have your students sign in).
- NB, if you do not work with Google/Microsoft, then please click the blue Sign up now link below the sign in button on the portal sign in page
- The first time you load in this way you will be asked what type of account you require - please select Educational (when your students sign up, they require Personal accounts)
- From here you will be taken to our Education pricing calculator so you can change the various parameters to suit your needs - for instance, are you expecting 450 students to be working on animation projects at the same time, or will they be split into rolling project groups? How many animation projects will they be working on at any given moment? Are you looking to have an annual storage subscription or rolling monthly plan?
- Once you have played with the numbers you have a couple of options - you can either continue the signing up process with the recommended storage allowance, then opt to pay by PO/invoice, or you can scroll back to the top of the page and click the link at the end of the main paragraph to Alternatively, configure the options for a free account (the free account will provide you with an organization account including access to 2GB of free storage and our basic animating features. Once you have upgraded your storage allowance you will automatically gain access to our Premium Features such as image import, green screen functionality, timelapse and more).
- If you opt for the free 2GB account to start with because, for example, you need to obtain a formal quote for funding purposes, you can always get back to the pricing calculator by clicking the Upgrade link in the top right of your screen.
- If you would like to start working with Cloud Stop Motion's Premium Animating Features immediately, please select the storage solution for your needs and click Continue to be taken to the payment page.
- The payment page is where you can choose your preferred payment method - either online by card, or by clicking the Purchase order tab immediately above the card details section, you can opt to pay via invoice which will populate and email the invoice to you alongside providing immediate access to the increased storage allowance and premium animation features.
- Paying by invoice usually provides 14 days grace for us to receive payment, however, if you are looking to apply for grant funding, please let us know once you have created an account and raised the invoice. We can extend grace payment periods on an individual/as-needed basis so you can get straight into animating and not worry about the timescale of the payment as grant applications are not always simple processes!
Hopefully that about covers off all you need to know for now. Once you have an educational account set up you are free to import any Google Education rosters you wish as all our organizations (free or paid) come with the ability to have an unlimited number of student/teacher/admin users connected to it. If you do this prior to any students or teachers creating their own accounts, the first time they log in and have an account space created, they will receive an alert advising your organization has requested them to join. By accepting that invite they will be synced with your organization's storage account and be provided access to the premium features if appropriate. You can always add users to your organization even if they already have an account set up, they simply need to log out then back in again to see the invitation to join.
A brief final point to make is that by following the above process, your account will become the default admin for your organization. All you need to do to switch between animating mode and organization admin is click the user profile icon in the top right. You will then see an option for the Animation dashboard if you are in the admin console area, or a link to return to the Organization console if you are animating.
Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you require any further help or assistance as we are only too happy to help. Likewise, if you require a formal quote to be created based on 'x' number of users all requiring access for 1 or 2 projects at a time, we would be only too pleased to provide this for you.
Wishing you all the best with your funding application, and we very much look forward to welcoming your school's cohort of new animators on board to work with us soon!