Artec 3D scanners for CGI and visual effects (VFX)
Create stunning, photorealistic 3D assets, locations, sets, digital doubles, and props for films, games, TV commercials, and more with Artec professional 3D scanners.
3D scanning for CGI & visual effects (VFX)
3D scanning technologies have become an essential component of modern filmmaking and virtual production pipelines, enabling computer graphics and visual effects producers, TV and film creatives to develop unique ultra-realistic 3D assets from real-world objects.
From virtual location scouting to prop making and set decoration to creating the most identical digital doubles for actors, 3D scanners allow filmmakers and VFX studios to streamline their production workflows, create more realistic experiences, and unleash creativity – all while cutting lead times and costs.
Benefits
Accelerate VFX or CGI production by basing designs on 3D scans of real-world objects and people – this has made one award-winning user’s workflow up to 20x faster.
Lightweight and compact, Artec 3D scanners can easily be taken anywhere you need to go, whether it’s on set, in the studio, or outdoors.
Create stunning, full-color high-resolution 3D models with a single scanning solution, or combine it with your DSLR camera or smartphone for true-to-life textures.
Develop authentic and one-of-a-kind 3D models for your film, game, or application from real-world objects you won’t be able to find in 3D stores, or ones complex and expensive to acquire or reproduce.
From tiny parts and props to full-scale scenes, Artec has a 3D scanner that will capture anything you need for your game, movie, or other applications.
Cut down production times by creating exact, high-quality 3D assets that require little to no extra touch up. Capture every tiny detail, regardless of object complexity.
Applications
Designing stunning visuals
Capture organic shapes that would be challenging to design by hand, and use scan-based models as a basis for custom visuals – this could mean turning someone into a zombie or even simulating ‘destruction sequences.’
Replicating props
Create accurate 3D replicas of props, miniatures and maquettes, and rescale them to a proper size for CNC milling or 3D printing. These models can also be used as references for creating unique 3D assets, or customized in 3D modeling software for further use in virtual production – way faster than designing them from scratch.
Digital doubles
Create photorealistic 3D characters for VFX and animation in movies, games, and TV productions for stunts impossible for an actor to perform themselves, or scenes too expensive or unfeasible to reproduce. Scan faces, heads, or entire human bodies to create unique and high-quality digital doubles.
Creating virtual environments
Start building your virtual worlds with accurate photorealistic location assets captured from the real-world urban or natural environments. Or use them as references to design your unique 3D environment.
3D location scouting
Replicate physical locations and environments in 3D, so everyone involved in production is able to visit them virtually whenever necessary. Limit the number of people on set, making sure even remote teams have accurate location references and can scout them safely.
Synchronizing VFX tracking
Combine matchmoving – a technique for precisely aligning VFX with live-action footage – with LiDAR 3D scanning to make incredibly immersive scenes, at an accelerated pace.
Success story
Artifacts turned into Time Team TV and video game props with Artec 3D scanning
“For the people, the costume folds, the natural lighting, everything you’d want to match the footage for an episode was captured. Compared to taking 600 photogrammetry photos of someone’s head, Leo was so much faster to use.”
In the media
More on 3D scanning for CGI
All CGI-related case studies, 3D models, and videos in one place
Artec 3D hardware
Powerful and easy-to-use, Artec 3D scanners digitally duplicate all the things you need in a matter of minutes, whatever the object – from small, specific parts to full 3D characters and entire environments.
What’s the next step?
Cutting-edge 3D solutions for CGI
Learn more about how CG artists, VFX producers, and TV and film creatives leverage 3D scanning technologies to speed up their workflows and create unique, realistic 3D assets for games, movies, and more.
Kazu Hiro’s breathtaking special effects makeup with Artec 3D scanners
“Artec Leo and Space Spider have altered my work profoundly. This technology gives me an exceptional level of detail, without the distortions or actor discomfort that might arise during traditional lifecasting.”
Artifacts turned into Time Team TV show and video game props with Artec 3D scanning
“For the people, the costume folds, the natural lighting, everything you’d want to match the footage for an episode was captured. Compared to taking 600 photogrammetry photos of someone’s head, Leo was so much faster to use.”
Artec scanners help create CGI models for TV series Fear the Walking Dead
“Artec Space Spider saves time, saves on shipping, and allows for more precise control over the scan.”
More case studies
Make 3D scanning part of your virtual production workflow
Power up your filmmaking, CGI, and VFX gear with the latest and greatest in full-color 3D scanning hardware.
Your best 3D scanning solution
From small 3D assets, digital doubles or large 3D environments, choose the scanner that fits your scanning task best.
End-to-end software for 3D scanning and processing
Scan and quickly process large data sets, merge scan data with photogrammetry for supreme texture, and collaborate with your team over meshes and more with Artec professional software tools.
Artec Cloud
Traveling a lot to capture high-resolution assets from the real world? Or perhaps you work remotely, or with colleagues in different locations? Easily share what you capture with people within and beyond your team via Artec Cloud, an online platform for sharing, viewing, collaborating, and processing scan data. Upload 3D models to Cloud from Artec Studio, or directly from your computer, and let everyone involved work simultaneously, access data remotely, discuss projects, and leave feedback, all in one place.
Shine a spotlight on your object
Explore various 3D models captured for CGI with Artec scanners.