Creating Game Trailers With A Big Budget Movie Feel

Have you noticed that game trailers often look as good as or better than the trailers for many movies? They have the great same feel as movie trailers and, they tell a story the same way. Gaming is big business and nowadays, only the best high resolution and partial live action graphics will do. It is all about enticing people to play in the same way it is to get them to spend money on a movie ticket.

When you deal with high-end media, you need the right support with the best techniques and tools available to create something that motivates people to take action. The graphics and action need to reach out and be so realistic that whoever is watching the game trailer feels as if they are already in the game itself. The producers of game trailers do this by showcasing the best aspects of the game in the most visually appealing way possible.

To do this, Mocap plus 3D scanning of the characters for replication is the best option. If you are really serious, it is the only option. This method is the most time and money efficient process to choose. An exact replica can be created in as little as  day rather than taking up to a month to model a character from scratch. The other major advantage is that character movements will be smooth and flowing – even as or more natural in appearance than many of the more time and labor intensive processes.

In regard to building an environment as opposed to a person, 3D scanning allows for the greatest pipeline efficiency possible. The newly created 3D scanned environment can be re-used, as can portions of the trailer in cut scenes which provides a consistent model and helps amortize production costs.

Few companies excel at creating game trailers that can be compared to big budget movie trailers. Between demands on time and money, it takes a company that has an intimate working knowledge of exactly what is and isn’t needed to create a compelling game trailer. When you do have a company that understands how to maximize the use of their tools efficiently, the evidence of such can be seen in the finished product.

Replicating Your Environment

Create exactly what you want via TNG 3D scanning visual effects technology.

 

Have you ever stepped on set, and immediately wished you had a digital scan of it?  Or have you wished the set was still there after it’s been taken apart? You might think you need a time machine, but all you need is a 3D scanning company with the right tools.  This is why we provide a service akin to insurance scanning. It’s the same concept of scanning characters in the event that they become unavailable later during production. With insurance scanning, you can have the sets scanned, and the data archived in case you need it in post production. The same can be done for location shooting as well.

We can scan houses, buildings, and structures that may be on the location to provide you with the ability to add (or subtract) cleanly from the scene. Sometimes pedestrians or traffic may be obstructing a location, and in that case, we can scan in the middle of the night with our infrared laser scanners.

It is the customer’s choice as to what they want and when they want the final delivery. You may want to consider what type of format you want the data: be it a point cloud, a surfaced model, or perhaps a complete model with textures is your ideal delivery.

Consider using 3D scanning on your project. TNG can save you the resources of both time and money.

Are your characters breaking your budget?

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Are-your-CHARACTERS-spending-your-budget-.html?soid=1103007733068&aid=8eXGeCF7roM.

 

Bringing Your 3D Data to Life

Motion Capture and 3D scanning go hand-in-hand.  We are constantly looking at changes in the market and are currently working on a solution to facial performance capture. We are still in early testing mode, but are continually looking for ways to bring about a good looking solution that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

 For full body motion capture we are making alliances to work with some of the best mocap studios out there. This also helps us understand how to set up the 3d scanned character to better receive the mocap data. It is important to us to see the entire picture as opposed to taking a limited view that doesn’t include what the character will do once the 3D model is created.

As TNG proliferates the market within the US and Canada, we are also looking for local mocap studios as a source to recommend to our customers looking for that type of service. We also find out what type of rig will work best for them, but that also needs to be requested by the customer.

Other important issues we are working on to use in conjunction with 3D scanning and mocap are cyber cloth and cyber hair. As your character moves, everything needs to be in fluid motion to bring out the realism of the action.  All of these synergistic elements are dependent on each other to work together.

We are constantly looking for better and more extensive ways to help in the process of making your project stay in budget and on time. Other areas we are currently investigating include HDRI as a service as well as photogrammetry and supportive modeling. All these areas complement each other to supply you the data needed for your project.

Special Effects vs. Visual Effects: Our Changing Industry

The industry (commonly referred to as “The Biz”) is in a constant change of getting the public viewers’ interested in their story by using all of the tools available. All businesses experience this – constant change. Special Effects was the preferred tool of the trade for years with explosions, water tanks, and stuntmen diving off of buildings into inflated cushions. In the last 10-15 years Visual Effects has been coming into their own with water effects, fire, explosions and making digital characters fall off roofs, mountains, or catching on fire.

Special Effects with live action shots were faster and easier for the director to work with, however, to do a second and third take became difficult and expensive. Now with visual effects and computers, you can do the second take, make various changes, and get a whole new look that could not be done any other way.

Visual Effects also lets you break all the rules as to what happens to a character or object within a scene. Yes, over the years there have been many changes, and more changes are on the way. The most important part of visual effects is creating life-like models and their seamless integration to live action.  This is the real magic of everything working in synchronization. It also gives the movie makers and commercial innovators a more cost-effective method of building content. This should also have an effect on the insurance that a show has to carry becuase their talent or their stunt actor is not in danger.

 To create the digital characters and props, you could have them modeled, or use some different visual effects depending on how close you would like them to get the action. 3D scanning has become the quickest solution that gives you the ability to use in pre-visualization and in the shot.  If you are working on a franchise such as Spiderman or Ironman, the 3D scan can be used over and over. The same can be done with TV episodics,  commercials with several variations and with video games that have a number of iterations to serve their fan base. 3D scans also make a great asset to use in the event of changes in the cast for various reasons.

How Would You Like Your Assets Delivered?

You are using more digital assets created by many different means. Our unique ability to provide last-minute 3D scans for a wide range of objects coupled with various delivery options is no secret. As a way to fully meet your production needs, TNG Visual Effects remains the most flexible option for 3D scanning services in the entertainment industry as we’re able to be anywhere you need us. So what exactly can we deliver?

Scalable Base Mesh

We are developing a base mesh that will feature an adjustable resolution to save production the cost and time currently associated with processing models at multiple resolutions. The texture map may also be very requested at varying resolutions.

 Bits and Subsamples for Texture Maps

Ordering high-resolution models will allow you the ability to subsample as needed (for example, foreground and background characters or objects for film and media). Another area of flexibility lies in the ability to choose whether the texture will be 8-bits or 16-bits. 16-bit texture maps have more color information, allowing us to supply you with a well-defined, striking texture to go with your 3D model. For contrast, an 8-bit image has 16.8 million color possibilities, however a 16-bit image has 281 trillion color possibilities! [www.photoshopessentials.com] The higher level of color information allows for more photo manipulation and control without degradation.

 Range of Specs

If you have a number of modelers at your command to develop your character/s, we can give you clean, raw meshes, and they can extrapolate upon them. You will also get buildings, vehicles, props, and anything else you need scanned delivered to your specifications.

Beyond Raw Mesh

Our team is staffed by talented artists who are sculptors, modelers, and texture specialists. They will get you started with 3D scans and see your models through to the level of detail you’ve requested. Your call, raw to ready-to-rig.

The future begins today. Let us give you the best digital assets available for your time, money, location, and exact specifications. There are many solutions, but few will meet all the parameters that define your needs. Our team of scan technicians and artists are here to ensure you get what you need. Let us be your catalyst from concept to reality.

Experimental Skin Shaders

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.

Do you want to sculpt, model or 3D scan?

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.

Replication – Cashing in on the Digital Asset

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.

Scan it!

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.

Game Trailers vs. Movie Trailers

Game Trailers vs. Movie Trailers:

The action and quality you expect…  from a big budget movie trailer!

Game trailers are strong. The better the quality, the more they feel like a big budget movie trailer. Of course, the idea is to show the audience a cool looking game using high resolution and partial live action. This entices the gamer and challenges them to try their hand at playing.

This kind of high-end media calls for all the tools, and techniques a producer has available in order to construct something compelling to advertise the game. In fact, the trailer should take the viewers breath away with graphics and action. The producers do anything possible so the animated characters look and act real, showcasing the best of what the game has to offer.

Typically, the company will use Mocap plus  3D scanning of the characters for replication.  This will save time (and money) on completion. This method produces an exact replica of the character in days, as opposed to the typical month (or longer) it takes to model a character “from scratch.”  Also, the character’s movements will be fluid and natural.

Building an environment based on 3D scanning helps to keep the pipeline flowing at its highest efficiency.  Parts of this extensively produced trailer can also be used in the cut scenes to help amortize the cost, and keep the model consistent.

Between time constraints, the look and feel of the trailer, and overall quality, there are few companies who excel at making game trailers comparable to big budget movie trailers. These companies maximize their  use of all the tools available in the market. This trailer is evidence that game trailers can compare to movie trailers.