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3D Animation

3D animation and CGI for brands and organisations, from product films for Oral-B and Suncrest to 3D scenes for Rio Tinto and the Digital Coding & Tracking Association.

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Example 3D animation

Oral-B 3D White Brilliance pack shot, with the tagline Stand Out Every Time

A CGI product film for Oral-B, taking the camera right down to tooth level. From Oral-B 3D White Brilliance

Three dimensions, chosen for the story

3D animation builds products, objects and places as models in a virtual space, so the camera can move around them, travel inside them and show things no camera could film. It suits products, machinery, buildings and big ideas that need to be seen from every angle.

For Oral-B we took the camera down to tooth level to show the Dual Silica and Sodium Fluoride in its 3D White Brilliance toothpaste at work, then closed on the pack itself. For the Digital Coding & Tracking Association we designed a rich 3D style that follows goods around a global supply chain, moving into 2D sections to explain the detail.

We rarely use 3D just for the sake of it, and much of our 3D work is mixed with hand drawn animation. For Suncrest we built a 3D model of the juice cartons, then hand drew every splash and squirt of juice around them. For Rio Tinto we hand animated the characters and placed them into 3D scenes, telling 140 years of the company's history in three minutes.

CGI can also play a supporting part. For The Landmark Trust's Restoring Britain's Landmarks, CGI sat alongside illustration and 2D animation to guide viewers around the buildings being restored.

3D animation we have made

Product films, explainers and corporate films, in pure CGI or mixed with hand drawn animation.

See all our animation work →

What you get

We agree the scope with you at the start. These are the things most of our 3D projects include.

  • Models built for the job

    Products, packs, machinery or places modelled in 3D, accurate where it matters and stylised where it helps.

  • Script and storyboard

    Every shot planned and agreed before modelling begins, so you can see the camera moves before production starts.

  • A look that fits

    Clean and realistic, or mixed with hand drawn animation and 2D graphics, chosen for your audience.

  • Lighting and materials

    Surfaces, colour and lighting set to show your product or subject at its best.

  • Sound and voice

    Voice over, music and sound effects brought together with the animation.

  • Files for every screen

    Versions for websites, social media, events, presentations and broadcast, in the formats agreed at the start.

How it works

  1. Brief.

    We talk through what needs to be shown, who will see it and where.

  2. Script and storyboard.

    The script and storyboard set out every shot, and you review them before any modelling starts.

  3. Design and model.

    Products, objects and scenes are modelled, textured and lit, then shared as still frames for your approval.

  4. Animate and review.

    We animate the film and share it at key stages, with review rounds built in.

  5. Finish and deliver.

    Sound, final rendering and compositing, and the files you need in every format agreed.

Questions buyers ask

What is 3D animation used for?

It is ideal for showing products, machinery, buildings and processes from any angle, including inside things a camera cannot reach, as in our Oral-B film at tooth level. It also suits big stories that need depth and scale, like the journey of goods around the world for the Digital Coding & Tracking Association.

Should we choose 2D or 3D animation?

2D suits warmth, character and graphic styles, while 3D suits products, objects and real spaces. Many films use both. Track and Trace moves from 3D into 2D, and our Suncrest advert sets hand drawn juice around a 3D carton. We will recommend what suits your story.

Can you make a 3D model of our product?

Yes. For Suncrest we built a 3D model of the juice cartons, and our Oral-B film closes on a pack shot of the toothpaste. Send us photographs, packaging artwork or drawings of your product and we will advise on what is needed.

How long does a 3D animation take to make?

It depends on the length, the number of models and the level of detail. Our Rio Tinto film, which mixed hand animation with 3D scenes, was made in 16 days. Once we know the brief we agree a schedule with dates for every review.

How many rounds of changes are included?

Review rounds are agreed at the start and built into the storyboard, modelling and animation stages. The exact number is set out in the quote, so there are no surprises.

Have something to show in 3D

Tell us what you need to show, who it is for and where it will be seen. We will suggest whether 3D, 2D or a mix of both suits it best.

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