• Real-time 3D
• 3D Visualisation
• Motion Graphics
• Information Graphics
• Character Animation

Real-time 3D for business use

Unlike normal 3D animations, real-time 3D means no rendering, every frame you see is rendered as you see it directly from the 3D data. This means your animation doesn't have to stick to a linear path, in-fact you can even explore the 3D environment by walking around it. You can still use pre-defined paths for cameras to do create fly-throughs but again, no rendering!

By “baking” textures we can simulate complex lighting and materials that would normaly take hours or days to render.

The 3D engine we use can publish to mac or PC executables or even on-line using a small browser plug-in.

3D Visualisation

We’ve been producing high end 3D visualisations for over 10 years. Everything from fake product shots to life-like characters, building interiors to city scenes.

Maybe you manufacture a product, you have the artwork ready but the product doesn’t exist yet and you need a product shot for marketing purposes. Or perhaps you wish to put the product in an impossible situation or environment - something that can’t be photographed.

How to build a virtual product

To get a computer generated image, we first have to build a model replicating the geometry of the real thing. Sometimes this can be a simple shape like a cereal box or a lathed object like a can, or it could be a more organic shape. The more complex the model, the longer it will take.

Next we texture the model. This means wrapping images or textures onto the surface of the model. We can use graphics for things like labels or procedural textures for things like metal or plastic. Different areas of the model can have different qualities.

Next we set up the scene. This involves placing it in a virtual set and adding lights and a virtual camera. We can replicate real light sources such as softboxes and even daylight.

Lastly we render the image or animation. The computer and software calculate what colour each pixel should be, taking into account the geometry, textures, lights and camera lenses. For very photorealistic imagery this can take a while. But the results can be stunning.

Motion Graphics

Although not exclusively 3D, motion graphics often utilise 3D and and can be used in presentations, videos or animations. Typically motion graphics are:

• Creative moving type
• Visual dynamics
• Section dividers for videos
• Introduction sequences
• Idents

 

Information Graphics

Information graphics is the art of displaying data driven information with the emphasis on clear communication as well as aesthetic appeal. Information graphics include:

• Graphs and charts
• Visual representation of data
• Animated maps
• Animated workflow diagrams

 

Character Animation

To animate a character a skeletal structure has to be applied to a wireframe model of a character. This structure can use goals to help automate the most daunting of animation tasks. For example moving a foot may require the hip, thigh and lower leg to me manipulated. Using a this skeleton, many of these individual elements can be controlled by one object thus reducing the time to set up and animate.