possible to plan and preview content in a real-time 3D environment.
“By shifting the workflow to the cloud, we can enable collaborative working models that haven’t been possible until now. This is especially important for any team working globally with clients,” says Niall Thompson, Previz founder and CEO.
The company is also pushing what is possible in the VR world, by utilising recent developments in the WebVR space. The technology makes it possible to render immersive, interactive 3D environments using the client’s mobile device and a VR headset. From a workflow perspective, this enables animation teams to see what their work looks like at scale, for the scenic designer to impress during presentations and for the end client to rehearse and visualise the end product.
dandelion + burdock’s work ranges from interactive environments and live events to content creation and permanent installations. The complexity of these projects required a comprehensive way to previsualise these scenic environments and ambitious projects. Clients wanted to regularly view previsualisations throughout, so they could understand what was being proposed as well as the process.
“With Previz you can plan and preview media content in a real-time and interactive 3D environment,” says CTO Joel Bradbury. “It allows you to design creatively, plan effectively and communicate confidently – all in your web browser.”
Best suited to productions with scenic projection, LED technology, lighting design or users who wish to convey scenic environments, Previz is designed to support and enhance the pre-production workflow of production companies, creative agencies and designers who are working on live entertainment projects and events, broadcast, theatre and installations.
It helps clients to understand what scenic environments and their content will look like from various viewpoints and makes it simple to convey complex stage set-ups, making it easier to get feedback and approval from decision makers throughout the project.
The browser-based software takes in 3D data by way of third party industry standard formats and media content from multiple sources. It renders the scene to any web capable device – desktop, tablet, mobile, VR headset, with no extra plugins or hardware needed. Previz also accepts a variety of media sources – video, images, and audio, which can be laid out and sequenced directly on a timeline.
The web-based product has three major parts – backend services, front-facing client UI and an open and public integration API along with multiple first and third-party plug-ins that integrate to industry standard platforms like Blender, Cinema4D and the Adobe SDK.
“This comprehensive approach presents a real-time view of how things sit together – connecting the workflows of 3D environment and scenic designers, visual artists, content production teams, production managers and end clients which helps create better experiences,” says Thompson.