At 2DNAC, our journey is always about blending cutting-edge technology with creativity to bring characters to life in ways that captivate and resonate. Over the past few months, we’ve been hard at work on several exciting projects, and we’re thrilled to share some of the highlights with you.
Breathing Life into Digital Doubles
One of our most significant recent achievements is the release of a series of digital doubles that push the limits of realism. Our team has meticulously crafted characters that don’t just look lifelike—they move, express, and interact in ways that make them feel real. Whether it’s the subtle nuances of facial expressions or the fluidity of movement, these digital doubles are a testament to our dedication to excellence.
Take, for example, the character showcased in this post. The attention to detail in the skin texture, the precise modeling of facial features, and the overall likeness capture not just the appearance but the essence of the person. This is more than just a model, it’s a digital twin, ready to step into any game or cinematic environment.
For those interested in seeing the process behind our work, check out these detailed videos showcasing our techniques and the power of MetaHuman and Unreal Engine:
- Creating Realistic Motion in Animation
- Character Creation Techniques
- Enhancing Digital Doubles
- Utilizing Unreal Engine for Real-Time Rendering
Innovating with Real-Time Rendering
We’re excited to share our latest project in collaboration with VITUNLEIJA® for the recent BLOCKFEST event in Tampere. Our fully rigged baby character, driven by iPhone facial capture data, made its debut on stage and truly captivated the audience during a high-energy performance. This was no ordinary baby character—this was a baby expressing intense emotions during a live concert scene, adding a unique and memorable element to the show.
Our primary focus for this project was on the facial animation, but we also prepared a body rig to expand its capabilities further. The custom baby face was meticulously sculpted in ZBrush, refined in Maya, and underwent a complete overhaul of blendshapes to meet our client’s precise needs. The result is a highly expressive and unique character, designed to convey raw, genuine emotions without appearing overly mature.
One of the key challenges we faced was finding suitable references for a baby character that needed to express such intense emotions in a realistic way. Tackling this challenge has brought a wealth of new experiences to our team, allowing us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in character creation.
The current model is powered by a custom MetaHuman rig in Unreal Engine, ensuring top-tier performance and realism. The ability to render high-quality visuals in real-time opens up a world of possibilities for our clients, allowing for faster iterations and more dynamic scenes. This project not only showcases the technical prowess of our team but also emphasizes the importance of capturing the full range of human emotion and movement, even in the most unexpected characters.
Exploring New Frontiers: What’s Next?
As we continue to explore the potential of scan data, MetaHuman rigs, and real-time rendering with Unreal Engine, we’re also venturing into new and exciting territories. We have a groundbreaking project on the horizon that steps beyond the human realm, and while we can’t reveal all the details just yet, this upcoming character will challenge our team in new ways and expand the boundaries of what’s possible in character creation.
A Glimpse into the Future
At 2DNAC, we believe that innovation is a continuous journey. Each project we undertake is a step towards something greater, and we’re always looking ahead to what comes next. Whether it’s perfecting the realism of a digital double or breaking new ground with non-human characters, our goal is always to deliver the highest quality and most immersive experiences.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to push the limits of digital reality. We’re excited about what the future holds, and we can’t wait to share it with you.