3D Scanners

3D Systems Gentle Giant Studio launches mobile 3D scanning units for the entertainment industry

3D Systems’ photogrammetry division Gentle Giant Studios, has launched two mobile studios to expand 3D scanning services for the entertainment industry. The two studios, Juggernaut I and Juggernaut II, are designed to deliver enhanced scanning services with quality 96% faster than traditional means.

“We have always believed the root of modern innovation lies in providing the right tools and technology to as many people as possible,” said Karl Meyer, founder, Gentle Giant Studios.

“We’ve now successfully removed the limitation of geography [and] we bring real life into the digital realm and digital back into the physical world, across all mediums.”

3D scans of film props created by Gentle Giant Studios. Image via Gentle Giant Studios.
3D scans of film props created by Gentle Giant Studios. Image via Gentle Giant Studios.

Gentle Giant Studios

In 2014, 3D Systems acquired Gentle Giant Studios, headquartered in Burbank, California, to further the reach of 3D scanning, modeling and printing for entertainment, toys, collectibles, and action figures. Gentle Giant has worked within the film industry to design, develop, and manufacture 3D solutions to represent actors, props, scenery, and characters.

The Studio is also involved in the video game industry and has used additive manufacturing to create a life-size “Singleton” robot, a character in the video game Grey Goo. Kim Lavery, VES, global executive producer, Gentle Giant Studios added, “Our team thrives on innovating with a very high bar of excellence in technology, delivery and with client relationships.”

The Juggernaut Studios

The Juggernaut Studios are equipped with 150 to 200 cameras yielding raw body scans as dense as 100,000,000+ polygons. The units also include a proprietary triggering system for the cameras and lights which provide approximately “100% likeness to enable rapid design capture of CGI Digital Doubles, wardrobe, and props on location,” according to Gentle Giant Studios.

This technology is used for Facial Action Coding System (FACS) sessions that capture individual facial expressions used to create photo-real people and animals. The Juggernaut system is intended to reduce the time and cost involved in photogrammetry services for production companies without sacrificing quality. As a result, the Juggernaut mobile units take two hours to set up, a drastic difference compared to the estimated 2.5 days with the traditional workflow. Pierre Bohanna, an independent costume FX designer explained:

“This mobile photogrammetry solution has solved a number of challenges others have not been able to overcome. The Juggernaut rocks up to stage, on location and talent, wardrobe, and props are scanned in very little time. The data acquired allows me and my team to create wardrobe and props with 100% accuracy.”

Traditionally, photogrammetry services require transporting equipment and experienced professionals to a shoot location. A temporary soundstage must also be constructed which incurs significant expenses for a production company.

3D Systems previously implemented a similar concept with a 3D printing pop-up shop for Comic-Con.

3D scans of actor Mark Ruffalo's arm used within the special FX for the Avengers movie. Image via Gentle Giant Studios.
3D scans of actor Mark Ruffalo’s arm used within the special FX for the Avengers movie. Image via Gentle Giant Studios.

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Featured image shows 3D scans of actor Mark Ruffalo’s arm used within the special FX for the Avengers movie. Image via Gentle Giant Studios.