3D scanners: They improve animation by providing high-quality, accurate mesh models that add efficiency and quality to the animation process. With a 3D scanner, using structured light or laser triangulation, the exact geometry, texture, and details (down to a resolution of 0.05 mm) of a physical object will be scanned and become a digital asset. That saves a lot of time in modeling since you get much more accurate models with these high-resolution scans.
Animation studios benefit from not having to repurpose 3D scanners to digitize real-world objects or actors, cutting production time by up to 50%. So, for example, when making character models for animation CGI movies, the exact anatomy of the actor and their facial expressions are scanned with a 3D scanner, etc. The data is then imported into animation software so that the digital “doubles” move with realistic proportions and range of motion. Movies such as Avatar and The Lion King utilized 3D scanning to create hyper-realistic settings and characters, establishing new standards in animation.
3D scanning can also be used to improve motion capture. By fusing body scans with motion data, animators succeed in transitions between live-action performances and digital animation. According to a 2022 report by Animation Technology Journal, 3D scanning is being used by studios to expedite production processes by up to 40% and reduce manual modeling errors.
As the innovative director James Cameron once said, “Technology is a tool that can change the way we see the world.” It is this idea that 3D scanners link the gap between the physical and digital worlds. They enable animators to scan in sets, props even landscapes, adding a level of realism to animated scenes never seen before.
This tech benefits video game devs too. Developers scan real-world items to build very high-fidelity assets for engaging gameplay. Use of 3D scanning tools by gains studios led to a 30% increase in texture fidelity, leading to increased engagement according to a study conducted in 2023
These devices are transformative tools, for animators curious about the value of 3D scanners. They enhance accuracy, minimize the time it takes to produce and improve the visuals of animations so that studios can retain a place in a fast-moving industry.
Find out in this article, The Scanner That Changed Animation — 3d scanner in Animation