Four million views later, Nicolas Vuignier gives the recipe to make centriphone (screenshot). © DR
It took the freestyle skier and youtuber Nicolas Vuignier two years to develop the centriphone. And a short month for him to propose this object that shoots videos in bullet time style at 360° in open source. Tutorial.
Nicolas Vuignier is Swiss. He is 25 and his latest freestyle skiing video was a huge hit: almost 4 million views since February 5 for his downhill run filmed at 360°, Centriphone, an iPhone video experiment. Where the skier adapts in DiY mode the Bullet Time effect dear to Michel Gondry and made cult by Matrix.
“Centriphone, an iPhone video experiment”, Nicolas Vuignier (2016):
This isn’t Vuignier’s first success. One has to admit that among the profusion of powder snow trailblazer’s videos, the pro freestyle skier who describes himself as passionate about image and a “self-made designer”, stands out. On his Youtube channel, perfectly edited videos, such as the one where he skis down the slopes at night lit up by flares, or that other one, The Lost Zone, nice short film exploring the Swiss ski resort Arolla.
The centriphone video however has gone well beyond the framework of amateurs of extreme skiing videos. In the comments, the appreciative internet users are asking the same question: how on earth did he do it? Things are changing dramatically for Nicolas Vuignier: he has just entered the world of makers.
From cardboard prototype to 3D printer
Nicolas Vuignier worked for two years developing his device. When looking for the ideal material (from cardboard to 3D, including wood), optimizing the design (extending the wings, reducing air resistance), choosing the right camera…from prototype to prototype, Vuignier is following the path of the perfect little inventor. An experience he tells us about with skill in a video posted on February 29 on Youtube where he announces that his project is becoming open source.
“The making of the centriphone», Nicolas Vuignier (2016):
These plans are now available on the centriphone.me website, but you can also order the produced object for €35, “because not everyone has a 3D printer (yet)”, points out the skier/maker on his website. On Github, one can already see versions for Samsung and plans intended for laser cutting.
To make the original centriphone for iPhone yourself, follow the instructions bellow:
Material
– a 3D printer;
– an iPhone and a wide-angle lens (Nicolas Vuignier uses a Olloclip 4 in 1 lens) ;
– nylon fishing line.
Fabrication
– Choose the version of the centriphone that suits you (wide angle, classic or Gopro);
– download the 3D plan and go to the closest fablab;
– place your iPhone in the centriphone case;
– add weight to your phone (so it remains stable), such as a battery;
– attach the fishing lines to the centriphone and adjust to get the angle that suits you;
– learn to ski with an arm in mid-air;
– ski, film.
Further information on the centriphone.me website, Nicolas Vuignier’s Youtube channel