3D Animations

Process of 3D animation production

In principle, a 3D animation is comparable to the production of a real film. First, we create a script and a storyboard. Subsequently, the 3D models are created, provided with materials (textures) and placed in the scene. Now follows the illumination of the scene and the cameras and objects are animated. When everything fits so far, the calculation of the single images begins in high quality from which at the end of the final film is created. As a rule, the calculated images are still processed in post-production and are provided with effects and texts, before the final film is actually rendered.

Even with a 3D animation, there are one or more cameras that capture the scene. In the scene, as with a film set, lights must also be placed to illuminate the objects optimally. The big difference to the Realfilm is the great flexibility in all areas and the possibility to animate the filmed object. For example, you can "dive" into objects and show how these are constructed or show functions in detail.

1. Target group and fields of application

The correct approach and the specific characteristics of your target group as well as the correct output format and resolution should be taken into consideration and agreed upon in advance.

2. Look definition

The optical representation (the "look") of your products is defined by means of examples. The layout of any description texts will be adapted to your corporate design. This now serves as a reference for the display quality of the following work steps.

3. Storyboard

Once the visualization of your product has been defined and taken from you, we will work with you to create a storyboard. This is a kind of optical scenario in which all scenes are listed and a schedule of the animations is included.

4. 3D model / templates (sketches, photos, videos, CAD data, etc.)

We will gladly model your product to be animated using sketches, technical drawings, photos or the real product. More cost-effective is the provision of CAD data such as step, iges, dwg, wrl, or solidworks. Usually a direct import into our 3D environment is possible and thus saves the partly very time-intensive modeling of the products.

5. Materialize, texturing, lighting, environment

The finished and released 3D model is materialized in the next step. The materials of all elements (eg stainless steel, aluminum, gold, copper, oak or glass) are defined here. Labels and type labels are projected onto the object using textures. In order to emphasize the highlights of your product and impressively stage them, a suitable lighting of the product and of the entire scene is required. Here our specialists are used with their experiences from the field of film productions. If you want your product to be clearly focused, it is often advisable to use a clean studio environment as a "frame" for your animation.

6. Animatic

In order to let the animated, visual implementation of the storyboard take away from you, we render a so-called animatic, which was implemented according to the storyboard. This is used to adjust the timing and sequences and is therefore not yet realized in the final look and in a low display quality.

7. Rendering

We produce 3D animations in FullHD but also 4k. Depending on the resolution, rendering quality, and the number of objects in a scene, the rendering time may take several days to weeks. In order to avoid correction loops at this point, we use the animatic generated in the previous step as a preview on the animation to give you the most accurate picture of the sequences and timings of the final animation and to avoid complex correction loops.

8. Postproduction

The post-production of 3D animations serves the final touch of the quality of the rendering. Similar to image processing with Photoshop, all rendered layers and channels are merged here. In addition, 2D elements (like fonts and icons) are placed over the previously rendered 3D animation and the film is output in the desired codec. If desired, we add the right sound to your animation. Here, soundeffects, speakers or even the underlay with a musical title can come to bear.