As the demand for industrial animation production grows, how to efficiently produce high-quality animations has become a focal point in the industry. Modular design, as an innovative approach, is bringing significant efficiency improvements to industrial animation production.
Concept and Principles of Modular Design
Modular design breaks down the industrial animation production process into multiple independent and reusable modules. Like building blocks, each module has specific functions and uses. These modules can be common mechanical parts, standard process flows, or general scene elements. For example, when producing mechanical industrial animations, gears, chains, motors, etc., can be designed as individual modules. Based on different project requirements, these modules can be flexibly combined and adjusted to quickly build complete animation content. The core of this design philosophy lies in standardization and reusability, which can avoid repetitive work and improve overall production efficiency.
Application of Modular Design in Industrial Animation Production Process
Preliminary Planning and Script Design
In the preliminary planning phase, determine the types and quantities of modules to be used based on project characteristics and client needs. For instance, when producing an animation of a corrugated cardboard production line, Xiamen Xuncheng planned modules such as overhead bridges, raw paper holders, single facers, double facers, and longitudinal/transverse cutters. During script design, clearly label the order of appearance and presentation format for each module to provide clear guidance for subsequent production. This allows the production team to prepare relevant modules in advance, reducing production time and errors.
Model Production and Scene Construction
With modular design, model makers can focus on the detailed production of individual modules. Taking the smart factory module as an example, creators can produce high-quality models of production lines, printing presses, robotic arms, AGV carts, etc., once and reuse them in different animation projects. In terms of scene construction, various modules are combined according to script requirements to quickly build complete scenes.
Animation Production and Post-Production Compositing
During the animation production phase, existing modules can have animation effects directly applied without needing to recreate the entire object. For example, adding rotational animation to a previously created gear module or transmission animation to a chain module. In the post-production compositing process, animations of individual modules are integrated, with sound effects, special effects, and other elements added to ultimately form the complete industrial animation.
Advantages of Modular Design in Enhancing Production Efficiency
Shortened Production Cycle
By reusing existing modules, time spent on tasks like model production and animation design is reduced. For a complex industrial equipment animation, modular design can shorten the production cycle from weeks to days, significantly accelerating project delivery.
Reduced Costs
Repetitive work is reduced, lowering labor and time costs. Furthermore, standardized module production improves quality and minimizes extra costs associated with errors and revisions.
Facilitates Team Collaboration
Different production personnel can be responsible for different modules simultaneously, enhancing team collaboration efficiency. For instance, the modeling team handles module creation, the animation team applies animation effects, and the post-production team handles compositing and optimization, with each stage working closely together to improve overall workflow efficiency.
Success Stories
When Xiamen Xuncheng produced equipment promotional animations for Taiwan Mingwei Group, they adopted a modular design approach to pre-produce various mechanical parts and process flow modules. During the project, these modules were quickly assembled based on specific client requirements, completing an animation production task that was initially estimated to take 3 months in just three weeks, with the animation quality highly praised by the client.
In conclusion, modular design for industrial animation is an effective way to enhance production efficiency, bringing new vitality and opportunities to the industrial animation industry.
FAQ Highlights:
Q: What is the production cycle for animation videos?
A: The production cycle for animation videos is significantly influenced by various factors:
Materials required from the client include: 3D models of products or equipment, video scripts, company logos, and company information.
The complexity of the scenes and equipment to be animated. For example, animating the internal structure of a car speeding down an avenue is much more complex than a static bicycle display.
Timeliness and effectiveness of communication between both parties during production.
Generally, standard 3D animation video production takes 15-20 days. For more complex models or larger scenes, it may take 30-60 days or even longer.
Q: What does the client need to prepare for animation video production?
A: The client needs to prepare the following materials for animation video production:
3D models of products or equipment (primary)
Video script (can be used for voiceover)
Company LOGO and information (e.g., full company name, address, contact details, website, etc.)
Requirements and objectives (determine theme and style, budget and duration, outline key content)
Others (e.g., video storyboard, proprietary company intro/outro, etc.)
Q: What areas does Xuncheng's animation video production cover?
A: Animation video production includes the following three categories:
Promotional: Including product promotion, corporate promotion, etc.
Technical: Including equipment operation, maintenance, repair, replacement of wear parts, assembly, safety, etc.
Customized: Including exhibition videos, investment promotion videos, event warm-ups, etc.
About Xuncheng Technology
Founded in 2016, with 9 years of professional industrial 3D animation creation experience, serving diverse clients including startup teams, overseas lead generators, listed companies, and foreign-funded enterprises. Specializes in 3D animation creation for mechanical equipment, high-tech, software development, foreign trade companies, etc. Offers a one-stop industrial 3D animation creative service from product sales to after-sales maintenance.
Provided nearly 3000 minutes of professional animation videos for over 200 manufacturing enterprises.
Whether at exhibition sites or during client visits; whether expanding into overseas markets or enhancing after-sales service, we firmly believe that through the power of design, complex products and machinery can be presented through astonishing 3D animations. This not only provides clients with a unique visual experience but also quickly resonates with their inner needs.
