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"When we reflect on our models, are we truly happy with what we see? Or do we all feel it could be just a little bit better?" - Nick Tesi
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Expert 3D Scanning & Modeling
Photo-Realistic Digital Doubles
Photogrammetry, LiDAR, & Structured-Light Scanning
3D Scanning North America from
Los Angeles, New York, New Orleans, Atlanta,
Vancouver BC, Toronto ON & Montreal QC
April 2018
Volume 10 Issue 4
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is a
3D scanning company in the entertainment industry that specializes in the creation of photo-realistic
digital assets. Many characters, vehicles, cars, sets, props,
animals, sculptures, and other items have been added to our scope of work since inception in 2009.
Our 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. We are also highly noted for our 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.
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A MOMENT WITH OUR FOUNDER
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April is upon us and we had Easter and April fools day plus a few April Showers. This means the 2nd quarter has started and it is important to stay up-to-date with it. More projects, in more places keep us on our toes (and creative). I sincerely hope you all had a great Easter and look forward to seeing you on a production or at a VES function.
At TNG, we are developing more techniques in relation to
3D scanning to give you better models. We are getting deeper into developing systems and products to expand our markets with our
high-tech scanners, skilled modelers, and our mobility.
We are always researching new technology and software to keep the quality of our service at the highest level, and to accelerate our pipeline. We do our best to provide a great product to our customers.
We continue our search for partners who are synergistic to our service. Together we can help our customers save more while using better products.
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Making the decision to 3D Scan your characters and determining the budgets to do so is not where we at TNG come in. It is after those decisions are made that we are contacted by the VFX producer or coordinator (or whoever gets put in charge of finding a service) to perform this service.
First, you need to find a reliable company that knows what they are doing. This is an absolute must! I know budgets sometimes lead you to the lower bidder (very tempting) but to have it fixed and possibly re-scanned could be very costly in time, budget and employment.
Next, is to decide when and where to scan. The "when" could be in pre-production, post production or you may need to do it between scenes. Then, you must be wondering how long does this process take (Assistant directors are always nervous at about this point). For the "where", perhaps the scanning studio is nearby and you could bring them to you if there is a big break. Alternately, you could wait until shooting is over and then bring the talent in.
Lastly, is the question of turnaround time. "How long is too long?" you ask. What are you sacrificing if you rush the process? The solution may be as simple as taking the cleaned up raw scan and textures and have the team that gets it next to finish the model.
There are a lot of decisions to make. But, if you take your time, weigh your options, check references, and get a fair price the work will be well done and well worth your time.
Happy hunting and enjoy the process!
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SOME INSIGHT ON 3D SCANNING
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Scan Data in the CG world allows for the most realistic graphics. With accuracies as low as 100 micrometers - it's become an established pipeline workflow to attain scan data environments, characters, animals, vehicles, and all kinds of props.
There are many types of scan data technologies that allow for scanning things of different sizes and materials among other differences.
Photogrammetry is known for capturing a great texture to overlay on 3D geometry, whereas a tight tolerance structured-light 3D scanner can capture geometry at a higher resolution. LiDAR is a type of scanner that emits sweeping lasers, which capture point clouds, which can then be surfaced. These machines will spin in circles, capturing everything it sees - and the closer the scanner is to the data source, the higher the number of points that will be captured.
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of multiple scanning technologies allows for the best- case scenario. For example, you may use LiDAR for an environment, but also perform photogrammetry in the same location, and both data sets can be used to highlight each other's strengths. Additional structured-light scans of smaller objects within that environment are another layer of easily obtainable detail. But, environments aren't the only possible example. Human heads can benefit from a similar treatment of multiple scanners. Analyzing and incorporating multiple data sets allow for a much higher quality and better graphics in the end.
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LiDAR scanning is still being used in our films and TV projects due its accuracy. This, in turn, allows productions to reproduce sets, vehicles of all types (cars, trains, planes, etc.) as well as large animals and buildings- inside and out. It may not be as fast as a photogrammetry session but, it has the accuracy needed to keep everything in place.
The use of LiDar scanners can be very efficient and the time of day does not matter depending on the type of data you may need. Just keep in mind the color data will not be there if done at night. An added benefit to laser scanning is that it now has GPS tracking. So, you can obtain data for coordinates and height if you are in a tall building and scanning different floors. Millions of points of data can be obtained from using this incredible technology!
LiDAR scanners have been used by a number of professions for its accuracy such as in architecture, design, forensic data for law enforcement to analyze crime scenes and to create virtual simulations, as well as in the entertainment industry.
There is no end to the capabilities of LiDAR scanning which makes it a very valuable tool to be used in a production and a number of other industries. So, be sure to keep it in mind for your next project.
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Thank you for taking the time to review our newsletter. If you have any questions, or would like to consider TNG Visual Effects in your next bid, please contact us.
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