DAHSHENG / DREAMCELL
Client: DahSheng Chemical
Project: Dreamcell Technology
Scope of Work: 3D Product Animation
CMO: Katherine May
DahSheng Project Manager: Karina Tu
DahSheng Designer: Gary Hsueh
Director / Editor: Nguyen Minh Tinh
Project Manager: Bang Lam
Art Director: Tung Dinh
3D Designer: Tung Dinh
3D Modeler: Tran Vu Khanh Duy
Illustrator / Designer: Sakkie Du
DSC - Dreamcell Technology / Master Version
DahSheng - a foam partner of various popular sport brands like Nike, Adidas, Mizuno, New Balance, Puma, etc., came to us on 01st March 2023 with a brief of producing a 3D product animation of Dreamcell foam technology in order to demonstrate how the Dreamcell Foam is made into an insole and to showcase its benefits: Breathable, High Energy Rebound and High Recycled Content.
After few months of working on negotiation and paperwork, we finally were able to kick start this project successfully. At this time, I, myself was working with a magazine publisher as their designer and a college as a part-time instructor for their Art & Design department. Therefore, it was quite a hard time for me to find available slots each day of working on this project. However, thanks to Bang Lam, our Project Manager, she helped us to design a neat production timeline that playing a key role in the succeed of this project.
We began with a Debrief document, in which I attempted to explain terms from DahSheng's brief document. This is a crucial first step that helps us determine whether or not we and our clients are on the same page by demonstrating to them how we interpret their demands from what they have spoken. In this project, for example, we defined a few technical terminology (particles, softbody, glass bubbles, fabric simulation, etc.) based on what we observed through the available references or perhaps on writing from one of our clients.
After that, we got to work on our Pre-Production Proposal, which we had to submit to the DahSheng team for approval. At this point, we had to work with them to finalize the details of how we were going to carry out the video, including the storyboard (working with illustrator Sakkie Du and director Tinh Nguyen), music selection, tempo, and instruments, and art direction, which dealt with how the film should look. At the college I work with, I gave this presentation during my coaching section's break.
Confirmed Storyboard
Like any other 3D product animation projects before, we started with receiving real model from DahSheng. After that, I am working with Duy Tran, our 3D modeler, to quickly create a very first draft of DahSheng footbed model which I was able to examine for overall shape and simulation friendliness.
Sample 01 - Checking on overall shape following digital document and real model
Sample 02 - Checking on simulation friendly
Sample 03 - Checking on DahSheng labels position
We always have a few Bang Lam project management tools on hand for a production project. In addition to the timeline table, she gave us access to a Google Slide tracking tool so that DahSheng and us could continue monitoring comments and answers.
Feedback Tracking
We didn't anticipate how long the modeling phase would take because the footbed's shape, details, and patterns changed so frequently. For DahSheng to get a better look at their product, we always provided 360 degree rotation videos and a few still images for each round.
“Dreamcell - 3RC25” - 05Jun2023
“Dreamcell - 3RE25” - 05Jun2023
“Dreamcell - 3RP23” - 05Jun2023
“Dreamcell - BIO” - 05Jun2023
“Dreamcell - Lemon Green” - 05Jun2023
“Dreamcell - Zero” - 05Jun2023
Some revised versions of the footbed
Testing footbed simulation with texture
V3 - Another version of footbed
------------------------------------------
FOOTBED - ALMOST FINAL VERSION
FOOTBED - ALMOST FINAL VERSION
“Dreamcell - 3RC25” - 24Jun2023
“Dreamcell - 3RE25” - 24Jun2023
“Dreamcell - 3RP23” - 24Jun2023
“Dreamcell - BIO” - 24Jun2023
“Dreamcell - Lemon Green” - 24Jun2023
“Dreamcell - Zero” - 24Jun2023
FOOTBED - FINAL VERSION - ZERO
FOOTBED - FINAL VERSION - ZERO
“Dreamcell - Zero” - 01Jul2023
------------------------------------------
Together with modeling the footbed, we also played with simulations within our RnD process to explore possible options for our scene. In overall, the video contains particles simulation like exploding, creating object from particles, collision, softbody / cloth. There were a lot of room for us to dig deeper into those simulation by adjusting parameters of those specific simulations.------------------------------------------
Sim Shot 01 - Macro view treatment - 135mm Tele Camera
Sim Shot 02 - Macro view treatment - 135mm Tele Camera
Sim Shot 03 - Macro view treatment - 135mm Tele Camera
The pallet fluid simulation
The pallet fluid simulation
The pallet fluid simulation
We also began experimenting with DahSheng's texture photos, which helped us establish a basic tone for this R&D phase. We also udpated with DahSheng about our research and development process to gauge their interest and perhaps exchange ideas that could be useful for this project.
“Dreamcell - 3RC25” - Texture playing with simulation
“Dreamcell - 3RE25” - Texture playing with simulation
“Dreamcell - 3RP23” - Texture playing with simulation
“Dreamcell - BIO” - Texture playing with simulation
“Dreamcell - Lemon” - Texture playing with simulation
“Dreamcell - Zero” - Texture playing with simulation
Following this phase, we completed the micro-view of the cell structure using the Zero type hero texture of Dreamcell technology and my personal experiences. After that, I spent several days developing every simulation around the footbed's final, verified shape and texture.
“Dreamcell” - Micro structure
“Dreamcell” - Speckles development showing a variety of shapes
Speckles fluid illustrating a process at DahSheng factory
Pallet fluid with a close shot camera angle
Dreamcell logo explosion trial
Dreamcell footbed forming trial
Dreamcell footbed forming complete
Dreamcell sphere forming
In order for the team to have a better look at the finished product, some very early works based on our storyboard were submitted to DahSheng to better show the illustrated storyboard. To make the main content stand out a little more, the team decided to switch from our white background to a solid black one following this pack.
Dreamcell scene 02: Logo explosion on 11 Jul 2023
Dreamcell scene 06: Footbed on 11 Jul 2023
Dreamcell scene 07: Multiple footbed on 11 Jul 2023
Dreamcell scene 08: Cloth transform simulation on 11 Jul 2023
Dreamcell scene 09: Smoke simulation on 11 Jul 2023
Dreamcell scene 11: Boucing benefit on 11 Jul 2023
Dreamcell scene 12: Boucing benefit on 11 Jul 2023
Dreamcell scene 13: Logo forming on 11 Jul 2023
After receiving request from DahSheng changing to black background, I had to fast alter every scene and make a few tweaks to make the simulation better as a whole. In order to fulfill our master release day, we tried to offer this pack as quickly as feasible. Also, we had been requested for some extra scenes, where the team wanted to see their footbed to touch the ground then fly off the screen. At the moment, the extra scene was a challenge for us since we needed a bit of time to figure out the way to achieve the feeling of touching.
Dreamcell scene 09: Wind Flow on 12 Aug 2023
Dreamcell scene 02: Logo Explosion on 12 Aug 2023
Dreamcell scene 07: Multiple footbed on 12 Aug 2023
Dreamcell scene 06: Footbed on 12 Aug 2023
Dreamcell scene 03: Footbed forming on 12 Aug 2023
Dreamcell: Regrind Powder on 12 Aug 2023
Dreamcell scene 13: Logo forming on 12 Aug 2023
Dreamcell scene 08: Cloth transform simulation on 12 Aug 2023
Dreamcell scene Extra: Footbed touching the ground on 12 Aug 2023
Dreamcell scene Extra 02: Footbed touching the ground on 12 Aug 2023
Dreamcell sphere forming on 12 Aug 2023
Dreamcell: Dreamcell structure on 12 Aug 2023
Dreamcell scene 12: Boucing benefit on 12 Aug 2023
So far we all agreed with the new look of black background. The only issue left was to finetune our simulations.
Dreamcell scene 02: Logo explosion on 15 Aug 2023
Dreamcell sphere forming on 15 Aug 2023
On August 24, 2023, we received a request to include an additional scene at the conclusion of the video that would more attractively depict the phrase, "Taking Foam Further." I put together a demo right away to determine the best course of action for this project. In addition, we sent out a few of the updated films for a few of the sequences from our first storyboard.
Ending scene on 24 Aug 2023
Ending scene on 30 Aug 2023
Twisting scene to showcase the flexibility of DSC footbed on 30 Aug 2023
Bending scene (optional) to showcase the flexibility of DSC footbed on 30 Aug 2023
Touching the ground scene on 30 Aug 2023
Touching the ground scene on 30 Aug 2023
Bouncing scene with super on 22 Nov 2023
We finally moved on to the editing and VO/music/SFX stage with our director/editor, Tinh Nguyen, after all the simulations were cleared. The undertaking was deemed finished.
It was an amazing and challenged project for both sides in terms of time zone and paperwork. We’re happy!
Some of my favorite renders
Thanks.
Tùng Đinh