3d Product Visualisation

These projects cover animations as well as stills for 3d product visualisation. In some instances, the 3d product animations/stills were of existing products, where the marketer, need to gain a greater deal of engagement or visibility.

This process is also widely used by entrepreneurs looking to launch a new product. Where a physical product does not exist. Here the client wished to explore product design, and we worked closely, to come up with the best design concepts, to meet their needs. In some instances, this was all done before the creation of a physical prototype.
The workflow, involved, means, we work from sketches and ideas, to visualise what the product might look like. This is all done using computer generated imagery (CGI). The process involves firstly:

1. 3D modelling of the concept
2. 3D Texturing, shading and lighting
3. And finally 3D rendering, as stills or an animation

Once this is done, we create a set of initial product stills. Or a product animation.  
These can be 360 degree videos, showing the product from all angles, or, the product placed in a contextual/lifestyle environment. Or creating an exploded view, which shows internal components. One example is a bathtub, in a bathroom environment, or a car, in an urban setting. Or a consumer product, like headphones, in a studio environment. This gives the product context, and users are more easily able to see how it would fit in with their needs.Quite often users will employ these animations in order to gain funding or gauge demand for the product through platforms such as kickstarter. This is a much more cost effective means of visualising things than using traditional photography or video.

The next step if required, is to create a prototype model, with more exact measurements and tolerances. Clients will then usually send these away for prototyping/3d printing, so that they have a physical product to hand. Which can then be further refined and adjusted before final manufacture.

Another avenue in this process, is to hand scan/3d scan a product prototype, that may already have been built. Then, use that model to visualise the product. This workflow is slightly different. In this instance, we need to clean up the scan, built/rebuild it, so that the model can be used in native 3d packages for rendering purposes. The result is often a model, that can then be further built upon, refined, and then re-protoyped into a physical format. Some examples are here.

We've worked on a number of these types of projects, ranging from cars, boats, smart dog collars, Smart watches. etc. Please take a look at a few examples above. In some instances CAD models were available, in some we fabricated something for the client from scratch.

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Character Design

These projects involve character design, for 3d animation and 3d print. The process and workflow involved in the creation of each type of project overlaps slightly, but then deviates at the point of final output.

How to design a character

We start out by discussing the concept, with the client. This involves, an element of storytelling. In fleshing out the character design,we discuss a backstory, personality, and based on those factors, we set out to the nest stage in the process.

Character design sketches

The process of character development starts with rough sketches. These provide information with regards to the physical attributes. Whether it will be humanois, or bipedal. Or something else altogtehr. based on the story developed, we design a set of attire. And finally we create an environment or backdrop that adds to the story. You can check out some character skteches here. The final result is a character sheet, detailing front and side views at a minimum. Sometimes the client will provide these. Once, the character design sheet is ready, we move to the next step.

3d modelling for character design

An initial mesh is created in a package like Zbrush, depending on whether the character is to be used in animation, still or for 3d print, we retopologise the mesh. For animation, the mesh requires a certain poly flow, to enable correct deformations. This mesh is then Uv'd and textured. And finally taken into a package like Maya and rigged. It would now be ready for animation

3D printing for character design

Once a mesh has been created in Zbrush. For 3d printing it is essential that we have the right dimensions and wall thickness. It is also essential that the topology be clean in that there are no overlapping polys. It is then textured where required. Once this has been taken care of, the mopdel can be hollowed, to save on material, and can also be cut into pieces, that can later be glued together after it is 3D printed/prototyped.
We sometimes recieve scan data from clients, which is then cleaned up, and prepared for 3d print. This can come from 3d scanners, or from photogrammetry.

Here are a few examples projects carried out in the past

Contact us to learn more.

Scientific animation

Scientific animation, is now being increasingly used by companies in the biomedical sector. They are using this technology, to educate, internally within the organisation. It is also being employed, to educate stakeholders, and end users. Ensuring greater transparency, and buy in. Merck, uses still images, of processes on its website for example.

A Biomedical animation, or still image, is a much better means of demonstrating a complex biological process. Or the way a pathology works. Or the way a new medical/drug based intervention works at a molecular level.

End users, will be more likely to engage with this medium rather than reading lengthy medical texts. 3D technology, now enables us, to create, detailed bio molecular structures. This includes, gene strings. Electron microscope imagery is used as a base reference. The detail that can be modelled in is phenomenal.

This allows for the creation of engaging, visually stunning scientific animation and stills. This technology is identical to what is used for major science fiction films. We can also employ, the same animation techniques, such as dynamics, particles and fluids.

Past projects we have worked with involved creating biomedical animations, describing processes such as DNA-ETGA, and Nanopore sequencing.

We use the latest in 3d sculpting technology to create accurate models, these are then textured and lit to create a photoreal result. The biomedical animation, which is the end product, is visually pleasing and engaging. This results in better buy in, from potential investors, and stake holders. Resulting in a better return on investment.

Get in contact to discuss your project requirements.