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.

A Lineup of Characters from the Real World

A Lineup of Characters Brought in from the Real World

TNG Visual Effects provides full body 3D scanning of characters for your film, television or video game project. TNG’s 3D scanning visual effects technology can scan your characters in full wardrobe, partial or in underclothes so you can modify the digital wardrobe. We scan heads and hands separately for better detail. It’s a quick and easy process. We also help you create the facial expressions you need as an extra service, or just for reference in a photo shoot.

 

The group seen here is the beginning of our virtual library of characters for hire or license based on your needs.

Call us to create the 3D characters you need in your current or next project. 877.879.2040

http://tngvisualeffects.com

Replicating Buildings – Inside and Out

Replicating sets with 3D scanners has become a staple of films and other markets. A building may be scanned (interior or exterior) for the set designer to add extensions or different facades, or to have as a reference for placement.

For exquisite detail, high resolution is necessary. Our laser scanners can capture hundreds of millions of points. We take several dense point clouds and stitch them together. To convert these point clouds to a surface (polygonal data) is a process which includes decimation, allowing for a very large spectrum of resolution output according to the client’s need. These laser scanners were developed specifically for very accurate measurements. We also add markers to the scene in order to have additional reference points to better register the data.

The 3D scanner we use is consistent with our company goals of having a solution that is small, easy to transport and set up, and is able to scan quickly. Like windows on cars, transparent and shiny materials are harder to capture, whereas buildings made from a flat material such as cement, brick, or wood are better for measurements and registration.

We have found that if we need to scan a highly populated area, we can work during the middle of the night, and shoot the reference photographs earlier in the day, or the following day. This is yet another way in which we strive for efficiency when it comes to collecting data without disrupting our clients’ production schedule.

Allow yourself the freedom of working in the digital realm by using these 3D environments. Visual effects have a versatility that is akin to the mind’s imagination. Remember, we provide more than just environments. Cars, people, and objects are also some of our favorite elements to replicate.

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.

The Environment is Our Stage Now

In Visual Effects we utilize 3D characters and props, but how about local environments (sets, buildings – interior and exterior), large vehicles (trucks, buses, tanks, airplanes, trains)? These too can be scanned digitally to create your location or asset, and be replicated or used as many times as needed.

Re-create the environment you need to use in your production with TNG 3D scanning services.

3D scanners, or the replicators of today, will be building inventories of digital assets for use in the future. Of course, there will always be a need for customized models of all sizes and shapes, but the option to use generic models should be able to give your show a better look on a smaller budget.

Until then, we are taking on the challenges of 3D scanning multiple buildings, very large animals, cars, buses, trains, and planes.  We are doing our best at providing a one-stop shop for all of your 3D scanning needs. The efficiency of having a team on site that can scan your talent, props, and then move into scanning the sets and other large items will be a plus for the 3D visual effects show. Budgets are getting tighter and the need is increasing for a cost effective solution that can show up fast, do their scanning, and then leave the location to advance on to capture other visual effects.

We are setting up satellite offices all around North America to service our accounts faster and more cost effectively.  In Canada, the tax incentives are great, and the studios and production houses and not willing to pass them up. Having a 3D scanning service bureau close at hand will help in lowering the costs and upping your flexibility to get all your scanning done without incurring travel costs. 

You will begin to see additional services in the future as soon as we feel our new products are complete and can fully service your needs. We guarantee our work at TNG.

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.

What’s your poly count?

 

Whether you’re creating digital content to be used for mobile apps, video games, television episodes, commercials, trailers or feature films, we’ve got you covered. TNG Visual Effects specializes in creating custom 3D digital assets for virtually any production. Email info@tngvisualeffects.com to inquire about what we can create for you or call Nick Tesi (310.717.2937) directly to discuss your needs.

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.

What Moves You?

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.

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