BIRDLY INSECT FLIGHT SIMULATOR
3D ENVIRONMENT AND 3D ANIMATION FOR A SPECIAL EXHIBITION
Birdly Insect Flight Simulator
Birdly Insect is the world’s first simulator where visitors explore the world around them by taking on the role of a butterfly. Developed by immersive experience company SOMNIACS, the simulator is the highlight of a special exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of BirdLife Switzerland. The purpose of this exhibition is to draw attention to the importance of insects, the extinction of which can lead to an ecological disaster. The realism of the simulator completely immerses visitors in the atmosphere of a natural landscape full of flowers and plants. They feel the wind blow, hear the flutter of their own wings, view the species-rich flower meadow, encounter other animals, and realize both the beauty and the danger of insect life.
Production Workflow
Our task was to create and animate a large number of ultra-realistic models. To do this, we selected several teams with relevant experience.
Goal
Our goal was to create and animate 3D models that were supposed to be part of the simulator. These were 3D models of the environment, insects and birds, the appearance of which had to be as close to reality as possible.
Challenge
Our challenge was to ensure maximum realism of 3D models, strictly following the provided brief and carefully studying all the references of both the appearance of insects and birds and their movements in the wild.
STAGE 1. CREATING 3D MODELS
Three teams were allocated to work on 3D models and animation:
- ⚪️ Environment artists
- ⚪️ Bird artists
- ⚪️ Animators
The references were real photos of insects and birds, as well as videos of their movements. The pipeline for creating a 3D model looked like this:
- ⚪️ Approving brief
- ⚪️ Creating a high poly model
- ⚪️ Creating a low poly model
- ⚪️ UV and baking
- ⚪️ Texturing
Before the start of each new stage, the results of the previous one were agreed upon with the client. Given the different complexity of the models, they were created at different speeds and the artists worked in parallel, presenting the results as they were ready.
STAGE 2. ANIMATING 3D MODELS
After the approval of the models, 3D animators got involved. They took as a basis the references of real movements of real birds and insects to implement the most realistic animation. The pipeline for creating 3D animation consisted of the following steps:
- ⚪️ Rigging, skinning
- ⚪️ Animation
The client’s team included experts on insects and birds who gave an objective assessment of the created models and animations.
