As the digital world rapidly evolves, the demand for photorealistic characters in games and cinematics has skyrocketed. At 2DNAC, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible by developing cutting-edge techniques that combine AAA standards with streamlined workflows. Our recent presentation at the 3DBody Tech Conference in Lugano showcased our approach to creating digital doubles using advanced scan data technology. Here’s a closer look at our process and the innovations that set us apart.
Our Vision and Expertise
At 2DNAC, our mission is to create lifelike digital doubles that blur the line between virtual and real. Our team is composed of seasoned professionals, including Marko Šašić, Miroslav Radmanović, and Vuk Rajković, with years of experience in character modeling, photogrammetry, and technical artistry. Leveraging this expertise, we’ve developed a comprehensive in-house pipeline specifically designed to work with scan data for the highest level of realism.
Leveraging Scan Data for Realism
The foundation of every high-quality digital double lies in the fidelity of the initial scan data. Rather than approximating a face or body, we capture the true complexity of human anatomy using a suite of high-precision scanners:
- Body Scanners for full-body captures
- Facial Scanners for highly detailed facial expressions and muscle movements
- Head-Mounted Cameras (HMCs) for recording facial performances on the go
These devices allow us to capture every subtle nuance, ensuring that the final digital version is indistinguishable from real life. By scanning over 40 distinct facial expressions, we’re able to replicate precise facial movements that retain the actor’s unique features and authenticity.
Streamlined Digital Double Pipeline
Our AAA digital double pipeline is an essential part of our success. Traditionally, creating a single high-fidelity digital double could take up to 30-45 days with a team of over 20 artists. However, our refined process cuts this time dramatically through a combination of automation, custom tools, and our extensive experience with photorealistic characters.
- Efficiency and Automation: The pipeline is 80% automated, integrating scanning tools to minimize manual work. This allows us to create characters in 1.5 to 2 weeks, with only 3 to 5 artists actively involved in the process.
- Cost Savings: This automation leads to an 80% reduction in time and requires 75-80% fewer artists, significantly lowering production costs while maintaining the highest quality standards.
- Precision and Flexibility: We utilize software like ZBrush to make precise adjustments based on the project’s unique requirements. This means that even when we need to alter the scanned character’s appearance—such as making them older, more muscular, or incorporating battle damage—we can do so without compromising on realism.
Showcasing Our Achievements: The White Room Project
During the conference, we highlighted our “White Room” project, where we developed two high-fidelity digital double rigs within just three months. This project focused on capturing facial movements with impeccable accuracy, ensuring that the digital doubles moved as realistically as the actors they were based on.
This groundbreaking project served as a perfect example of how our pipeline can achieve AAA-quality digital doubles in a fraction of the traditional time. The success of the “White Room” project underscores the effectiveness of our approach and positions 2DNAC as a leader in the digital character creation industry.
Why Scan Data is Crucial for AAA Characters
In AAA game and cinematic production, high-fidelity realism is key. Experience from projects like MetaHuman Creator has taught us the importance of realism and complexity in motion. With scan data, we ensure that our characters are built on a solid foundation of accurate anatomical detail. This data is the bedrock upon which we create lifelike, interactive digital doubles that can withstand the scrutiny of both developers and audiences alike.
Looking Forward: Continuous Innovation
At 2DNAC, innovation never stops. We’re constantly refining our digital double pipeline to further reduce production time and increase quality. As we look to the future, our goal is to expand our capabilities, enhance our scanners, and continue delivering the best digital doubles for games and commercials.
Conclusion: Redefining Digital Character Creation
The 3DBody Tech Conference in Lugano gave us the opportunity to share our journey with industry leaders, experts, and innovators. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and are excited about the possibilities ahead. If you’re looking to bring your game or cinematic project to life with ultra-realistic characters, 2DNAC is ready to partner with you to achieve that vision.
For those looking to work on similar projects, the most popular tools in the industry currently include Unreal Engine, Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, Wrap3D, Wrap4D, Photoshop, and Agisoft Metashape. Here’s a brief overview of each tool’s role in the digital double pipeline:
- Unreal Engine: A powerful real-time 3D creation platform used for rendering high-quality digital doubles in games and cinematics. It allows for the creation of lifelike animations, dynamic lighting, and interactive environments.
- Autodesk Maya: A versatile 3D modeling and animation software, essential for creating detailed character models, refining facial expressions, and rigging characters for animation.
- ZBrush: An industry-standard sculpting software used for creating and refining detailed character models. It excels at adding intricate features like pores, wrinkles, and other fine details to enhance realism.
- Wrap3D and Wrap4D: These are specialized tools for processing 3D scan data. Wrap3D is used for wrapping and aligning high-resolution scan data onto a base mesh, while Wrap4D focuses on handling dynamic, time-based scans for more complex facial or body animations.
- Adobe Photoshop: A crucial tool for texture creation and refinement, enabling artists to paint or edit the fine details of skin textures, scars, makeup, and other surface details on digital doubles.
- Agisoft Metashape: A photogrammetry software used for creating high-resolution 3D models from photos. It’s ideal for capturing detailed scans of actors or objects, which serve as the foundation for realistic digital double creation.
Want to learn more? Reach out to us at 2DNAC, and let’s create something extraordinary together.