The LA Times reports that as US studios depend more on foreign revenue, the more they lean on the spectacle that needs no translation: VFX.
The star now is the spectacle. Studios can spend more than $100 million just on the special effects necessary to make Spider-Man swing through New York in 3-D or Iron Man and the Hulk plow through an enemy army.
Last week Digital Domain CEO John Textor conducted an interview with FXGuide’s Mike Seymour on the DDI controversy. Here’s his email to employees. Variety’s David S. Cohen comes to his defense. The VES released a statement and it sort feels like a slap on the wrist that turns into a pat on the back.
On the other hand, The Animation Guild…
Cars often require visual effects thus the need for digital models of cars. They’re a hot item for many video games, commercials and feature films. Vehicles seem to be our passion. Scanning cars is an exciting process. Previously, it had been a time consuming effort to maintain proportions and avoid any form of distortion. However, with our newer technology objects are captured with their correct proportions. This is accomplished when adequate time and space is provided upon the initial capture of data.
As culture changes, the cars change, and so we aim to provide high quality 3D scans. Our crew has a love for working on cars. There are a number of ways to get digital vehicles. You can get the Autocad files, and build off of the cad files provided, typically by the car manufacturer (though they’re not always available). We have heard some companies swear by them and their specs. Another possible avenue is to buy them off the internet. You need to be very critical here as they may not be the best models, but you may just find what you’re looking for. Lastly you can have them scanned, which is helpful if there is no cad data or model available.
We have scanned and processed cars, trains, buses, and planes. We’re able to scan most types of vehicles as size is clearly not an issue. What may be an issue is time and accessibility. These are our requirements to give you the vehicle you want at the quality you want.
Likewise for buildings, both the interior and exterior, time and accessibility are vital to provide the quality data that you require. Our environmental 3D scanner takes colored pictures for reference, and we also do a photo shoot that will give you a texture map to be proud of, or at least excellent high-resolution reference pictures.
Using our low-profile laser scanner helps us stay mobile, and helps us get to those locations that you need digitally captured. We’re even able to scan on ground that is not flat as we have an inclinometer that accounts for uneven ground. Give us a call. We’ll be charging our lasers so that when you give the word, we’ll be there to replicate your sets, vehicles and environments.
Want the rest? Read the email.
This work in progress is an early sample of skin shaders we are experimenting with. TNG Visual Effects artists enjoy bringing as much realism to the screen as possible when creating photorealistic digital assets. Our goal is to provide our customers with a gateway to a seamless transition between live shot and digital double.
Our technicians scanned Sophia (the model below) in a two piece swimsuit in our studio. After that, this personal trainer from Los Angeles was transformed into a cyber character resembling a female warrior. Our digital doubles and 3D scanned models open any project up to endless creative options.
TNG Visual Effects excels in assisting productions whose needs require digital assets that can be used anywhere from movie trailers, to video game cinematics, to music videos. We also specialize in creating digital assets that can be viewed on multiple platforms.
Dynamic 3D Cloth for Film, Television and Games
After we have meticulously 3D scanned and modeled your character to your specifications, TNG Visual Effects is proud to announce our support of dynamic cloth to bring your characters to the next level in hyper-realism. Dynamic cloth takes into account the actual material properties of fabric and applies the laws of physics (including gravity, inertia, wind and other forces) to deliver unparalleled realism. The generation of dynamic cloth is a time consuming process. Let our trained cloth designers build your characters’ clothing to your exact specifications and help you achieve your goals.
TNG Visual Effects will soon be able to deliver unparalleled realism in your future film and television work by supporting dynamic cloth in both 3DS Max and Maya using the bundled toolset included in both packages. No matter what software you use, we can help you meet your deadlines faster
If you’re creating video games, TNG Visual Effects also supports the Nvidia APEX physics toolset enabling your characters to be seamlessly integrated into popular 3d engines, such as The Unreal Development Kit, CryEngine 3 and Unity.
We are currently working on these elements to bring the final look closer to realism all the time. For us it is a labor of fulfillment. We strive to make the best use of our current technology and create the tools you need for your production. All of these elements are very important in the future as the part virtual characters play increases as time marches on. Please stay tuned in and connected as we continue to exhibit samples of our products.
The digital age is here, and you might already know this. The time is coming when every production will be all digital. For movies, this will include the set environment, foreground, elements or props, characters, plus the action taking place on the stage. If you’re producing commercials, television episodes, video games, documentaries, etc, how long will you wait before including the necessary digital assets needed to cut time and cost?
We now have scanners for small objects, people, animals, cars, buildings (inside and out) plus most other things that need to be digitally created. Recently, we scanned a historical locomotive (circa 1864). In the past we have scanned cars, ships, buildings, tanks, etc. We’ve also scanned an entire 2 block area of buildings including both sides of the street. We will help you find a solution to creating the digital assets you need for your production.
As we move into the future more digital content will be needed to support more than 500 channels on TV, all the movies headed to the big screen, commercials, and print ads on magazines and billboards. We haven’t even begun mentioning all the video games that will be produced. And remember, you’ll want to be able to cross platforms with customizable resolution for screen sizes ranging from large screen to tablet to smart phone.
As we prepare for the future by building in the present, we can use our knowledge from the past to help us turn our creative thought into reality. Paying attention to current trends also aids us in this endeavor. No, the time for 100% digital is not today or tomorrow, but it is coming. More producers and directors have increased their usage of digital assets. As time goes on that percentage will continue to increase. We are ready now, and will be here to help you get the data you need to include more digital assets in your production.
Whether you need sculpting, modeling, or scanning depends on the cost plus time equation. Our research and experience in the 3D scanning industry has revealed that ‘the time it took an artist to model’ versus ‘the cost of scanning’ was almost equal. The only difference was that the project was completed in about half the time when scanning was chosen over modeling. If time is money then 3D scanning is clearly the most cost-effective way to go.
The scanning process will give you the ability to scan a great number of people, quickly and in a single session. It is always best to plan a 3D scanning session early, perhaps even in pre-production, or when you have the required talent, props, or other items to be scanned available. You will get the most out of your models when you plan them from previs to post production.
Remember, there are few artists that can replicate a person quickly and with incredible detail. If you have these types of artists in your network, you should regard them as valuable assets. Most companies will take their modelers and put them on other aspects of the project to maximize their resources. This also gives the artists experience to increase their skills in other areas of the post-production process. The sculpting then comes in handy to quickly enhance the model for finishing.
No matter which method you choose, it is best to think of scanning, modeling, and sculpting as complementary. These various methods aren’t competing with each other. Ask your 3D scanning company how they can save you valuable time on your next project.
It’s a Resolution Revolution!
3D Characters: High – Medium – Low
Not all 3D scans are equal. TNG offers variable pricing for your 3D scans. While we make 3D scanning look easy, the varying degrees of complexity for each specific model is something we like to discuss in the initial bidding process. You always have the option of choosing the resolution that suits your shot and your budget. As budgets tighten, it’s concepts like these that can help to control costs.
Some characters are very complex, while some won’t require as much attention to detail. If your characters have extra detail, or are going to be close to the camera, they’ll get some special treatment in post. There are also those characters that will be some distance from the camera. These do not require as much time or cost. Unlike those tricky New Years resolutions, TNG can ensure you get the results and resolution you need with your 3D scans. Remember, TNG guarantees all work.
Using Digital Assets
Replication – Cash In
Sets, vehicles, rooms, interiors, props and buildings can all be digitally created for the making of a game, TV episode or film. If it is obvious you’ve got a franchise in the making, invest in the power of a digital asset and the payout it can bring you. 3D scanning can give you assets to be used in your project over and over. Resolution can be increased for films and decreased for games. Even with additional adjustments each asset will be well worth having, especially if you can use it more than once.
Modeling buildings with ornate facades can be time consuming projects. Replicating the interior of that building can also be time consuming. Save time by choosing 3D scanning. When comparing costs vs. benefits producers found the benefit of having accurate assets with a faster turnaround was a mark of distinction for 3D scans. Choosing to use a specialist in 3D scanning can enable you to put more detail and further strategy into your production.
Vehicles are a hot item on the list of objects to create digitally using 3D scans. Is it worth the cost to destroy them in a chase or lose them off the side of a cliff? Remember to factor in thecost of stunt drivers, insurance, wreckage removal and permits. Using 3D scanning in this situation could make the project successful. Be sure your VFX production facility or game developer will use the 3D model fluidly in the scene.
The ability to create many types of digital assets by way of 3D scans is here and ready to be used in your project. Put them in from the start (in previs) and get your trailers ready. It’s time to get the most out of your digital assets. If your project is going into several entertainment genres, use your digital assets to serve you time and time, again. Now let’s go capture some data.
