TNG Visual Effects
Main Office - Los Angeles
877.879.2040
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North American Services
TNG Visual Effects 3D scanning systems allow us to serve your production locally in Canada and the U.S. See map below for locations. |
TNG AT YOUR SERVICE
 TNG Headquarters LA
TNG Visual Effects is a 3D scanning company in the entertainment industry that specializes in the creation of photorealistic digital assets. Many characters, vehicles, cars, sets, props, animals, sculptures and other items have been added to TNG's scope of work since the company's inception in 2009.
The TNG team knows how to work with producers, directors, coordinators, A-list talent and other agencies, making the most of their precious time and ensuring a successful project. TNG's work is always guaranteed.
The TNG scan team is also highly noted for their ability to travel at a moments notice for a project. Exclusive use of highly mobile scanning systems allow for TNG to perform scans in practically any location. Express Scanning.
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Click here to hear me sing!
 Rides  Large Objects  __________________________
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A Note From Our Founder  Nick Tesi TNG Visual Effects Founder
August is birthday month for some, including yours truly, and a month of relaxation for many. It is also a time for me to think about what I saw at SIGGRAPH. There was some technology that took me by surprise, but for the most part a lot of companies showcased improved products. I may have missed a number of things, so this is not a show review, just an opinion.
We are getting busier now as some of the episodic projects have kicked in, along with several other opportunities, so I guess the summer is over for us. That's OK as we are here to serve the industry. We can take our vacations during the slower periods. We continue to look for more partners that are synergistic to our service, and who can help our customers and theirs through more savings and better products. I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter, and I wish you all a great month, quarter, and year. ____________________ |
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Testimonials
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" I've worked with Nick Tesi for many years contracting 3D scans from him for several of the shows we work on and have always been secure in the knowledge that he would deliver quality work on time. We recently called on Nick Tesi's new company TNG Visual Effects (The Nicholas Group) and he has once again proven himself with excellent service, speed and is providing even higher quality models than expected for our projects. Nick is dependable and will go the extra mile to make sure that we get what we need. I would recommend him and his company to any project needing 3D scanning."
- Al Lopez, Vice President,
Stargate Studios
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3D Scanning Tips
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Navigating the World of 3D Scanning
You almost need a road map to navigate through the 3D scanning world, that is if you use 3D scanned models. There are so many choices and so little time, and even less budget. The shrinking budgets and growing needs of production, the "more for less" syndrome, have affected all of us, and multiplied by the need for faster turnaround times, more ploy's, deeper bit depth and more maps (texture, ambient, secular, normal, displacement, occlusion, dirt, etc.), can feel demanding. However, this is our industry today, so it is either get on board or move over.
To help make the 3d scanning process more of a breeze, we put together a few tips that hopefully provide a more efficient and cost effective experience during your next project.
Tip # 1 - Know what you want from the start. This may seem simple, but often difficult as the show unfolds and needs changes. However, you are in a powerful position if you know what the needs are ahead of time and can focus on that. Abstracts are confusing and slows down a bidding process.
Tip # 2 - Be specific and detailed when explaining what or who is being scanned. To make sure the 3d scanning crew captures what you need, give full details ahead of time about what they will be scanning, and what you expect the final product to look like. For example, you may want the 3d model to be wearing a jacket, but want it open. Make sure to communicate that detail to the crew to eliminate having to rescan or remodel parts of the jacket.
Tip # 3 - Let the 3d scanning crew know how much time they have to scan and deliver the product. There are certain clothing items that take more time to scan and replicate, such as lacy items, transparent material, a high gloss leather jacket or anything black and shiny. All of these items will slow down the process, so it is important for the team to know if the director needs the items back on site right away, or if a stand in cloth can be used.
Tip # 4 - Find out what part of replicating the character you can do in house. To possibly save on time and cost, find out what your team has time to do. Perhaps you have an awesome texturing department that may want to take cleaned up scans that are remodeled and UV'd to texture them. Normally this is done by the scanning crew, but it could be done in house if you have texture people available, or even modelers to take it from a raw format.
Our goal through these monthly columns is to take what we see in the field and provide you with information that can save you time and money, and to help you see your characters as you have envisioned them.
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The Truth About 3D Scanning Systems
There has been a lot of talk recently about the new 3d scanners and their capability, but what does it take to actually operate one? And, most importantly, do they really save on time and cost?
These scanners provide a basic starting point at a lower quality of detail, and at times more work for a modeler. It is just one step up from sculpting your entire model, and does not include precision detail. Not to mention, it takes experienced scanning technicians to operate these systems. Believe me, if they could easily and automatically create what was needed, we would have 10 of them around the world.
We are constantly shopping for better systems out in the market to get faster, higher quality results, and at a lower cost, but everything seems to be a trade off. So we find what works, and what works well for our projects to give our clients the best value for their money.
Another item to think about is the color capability of a 3d scanner, which is typically low resolution and not usable. When we are on a job, we have a professional photo shoot allowing us to deliver high resolution texture maps of up to 8k x 8k to our clients. It is a process of setting up and delivering the content needed by production, or the game company looking for photorealistic models for their Cinematic's or trailers.
I have no doubt that in the future technology capability will increase for the end user, and thus putting scanning capability in everyone's hands. Until then, evaluate what you need and either decide to buy a professional grade 3D Scanner, or call your local 3D Scanning Service to have your work done with great, reliable systems that you can count on for today's projects.
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Meeting Your 3D Scanning Needs
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One Stop Shop Scanning
You've heard of 3D scanning people, props and maybe an animal here and there, but what if you wanted to scan an entire Ark to house these characters? How about several store fronts along a sea port, or perhaps a 350 foot cargo ship? Yes, we know that script sometimes calls for props in all shapes and sizes.
There are quite a few 3d scanning companies that offer lidar scanning, or large area scanning, but the key is to find a company that can meet all of your 3d scanning needs, big and small. That way you can get all the data you need from one place, rather than having to coordinate with several companies, not to mention having to negotiate with all of them.
Building exteriors and interiors for sets give production the ability to first use them as pre-vis and then as rendered backgrounds. The same goes for ships, airplanes, tanks and any other items you may need for your environment. Scanning a set before it is taken down is a great insurance policy in case you need it as background for a shot in the future. Having a building or area 3D scanned will also give you the exact measurements which you may find helpful when matching the set to the needs of the film or situation.
We continue working on our database of digital assets and look forward to the day that we have enough buildings, ships and other vehicles to cover most of what production needs. In the meantime, we are always available to scan your buildings, sets, and anything else you need. We are mobile, flexible and affordable, and will provide you with not only a usable asset, but a good quality one. |
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