Did you know that AEC professionals use the same tools for as-builting as visual effects artists use for movies and games?

Reality capture excels not only in documenting real-world environments, but also in crafting immersive settings for games and movies. In the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, precision and detail are crucial for accurate measurements. Similarly, in the realms of gaming and film, achieving realism demands meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.

Leica’s reality capture solutions have made significant strides in the movie industry, with examples such as the utilization of P-series devices to capture the New York skyline for iconic films like “Joker” and “John Wick,” while the RTC360, renowned for its 5k resolution capabilities, has found versatile application across various cinematic scenarios.

There are significant advantages to leveraging reality capture and VFX technology. Firstly, it enables the creation of dynamic environments that serve as backdrops for diverse gaming or cinematic universes. These environments are highly customisable, allowing for the removal of unwanted elements or the repositioning of scanned assets. Secondly, these scans offer enduring value as they can be repurposed repeatedly. Assets can be retexturised to suit different contexts, contributing to the expansion of libraries like Quixel Megascans, which provide an extensive inventory of reusable assets.

The process of colorizing scanning data heavily relies on the lighting conditions during capture, highlighting yet another benefit of reality capture and VFX. Precisely capturing lighting positions significantly enhances the capabilities of VFX, playing a crucial role in crafting realistic visual effects for gaming or cinematic environments. By faithfully reconstructing lighting conditions, these technologies elevate visual effects to new heights, resulting in a more immersive cinematic or gaming experience.

Examples of this reconstruction from a Leica BLK360 can be seen here and below.

These reality capture and VFX tools are experiencing remarkable growth. While these techniques have been integral to the film industry, particularly through photogrammetry, they are relatively novel in the realm of gaming.

Recently, the Unrecord video game garnered attention with its remarkably realistic backdrop. The integration of 3D laser-scanned assets with a 3D mesh in the Unreal Gaming Engine by Unrecord represents a groundbreaking achievement, overcoming previous limitations regarding asset size in gaming.

It’s only a matter of time before we see models of well-known NZ landmarks such as Auckland War Memorial Museum or the Beehive used as backgrounds in a gaming environment!

For more info, contact our Reality Capture team 0800 453 422 or info@globalsurvey.co.nz