Bringing Animation to Life

With advancements in 3D printing, animators and prop builders now have access to cutting-edge technology that enables them to create vivid, high-quality models faster and more cost-effectively than ever before. Alongside our sister company, 3D Print Bureau, we’ve seen first-hand how 3D printing is reshaping the creative process in film and television. A standout example is the Sainsbury’s Christmas advert from 2016, where 3D printing played a pivotal role in delivering a groundbreaking stop-motion animation.

A New Era for Stop-Motion Animation

For the creation of the festive advert, puppet makers Mackinnon and Saunders, alongside London-based animation production company Passion Pictures, turned to 3D printing to bring their characters to life. Instead of relying solely on traditional stop-motion techniques, the production team utilised Stratasys 3D printing technology to enhance efficiency and precision.

Over three months of intensive production, hundreds of 3D-printed face masks were created to animate the expressions of the advert’s 27 characters. By swapping out different facial expressions frame by frame, animators achieved seamless motion, a technique that was significantly accelerated by 3D printing. Traditional methods would have required handcrafting each expression – a process that otherwise would have taken years to complete.

Watch the full advert here:

Why Stratasys 3D Printing?

The Stratasys J750 printer was chosen for this project due to its unparalleled ability to produce full-colour, multi-material prints with exceptional, finite detail. While 3D printing had been used in stop-motion animation before, this was the first time the Stratasys J750 had been leveraged in this way for a commercial production. The ability to create highly detailed, colour-accurate facial expressions directly from CAD models meant that animators could maintain artistic integrity while reducing manual labour.

Dave Bennett, who oversaw the project, highlighted the impact of 3D printing on the production timeline:

“It wouldn’t have been possible to create what is essentially a mini-film within the timescale allocated without the magic of a 3D printer. Traditional techniques would have taken 12 months or more to achieve, with a less detailed result.”

Revolutionising Model Making in Entertainment

3D printing is not only streamlining animation workflows but also revolutionising model-making across the entertainment industry. Model building has traditionally been a labour-intensive and time-consuming process, requiring painstaking attention to detail. Stratasys printers enable CAD drawings to be transformed into ultra-realistic models that reflect an artist’s vision with unmatched precision. Whether it’s intricate set pieces, highly detailed props, or expressive character models, 3D printing provides a faster and more cost-effective solution compared to conventional methods.

Furthermore, animators and prop masters can leverage a range of materials to achieve the perfect finish. Models printed using acrylic-like materials can be painted, textured, and customised to fit the exact aesthetic needs of a scene. This level of flexibility has opened up new creative possibilities for filmmakers looking to push the boundaries of visual storytelling.

Paving the Way for Future Innovations

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, 3D printing is becoming an indispensable tool for animators and filmmakers. The ability to quickly produce high-quality, customisable models is not only enhancing the creative process but also making productions more efficient and cost-effective.

At Tri-Tech 3D, we’re proud to support this transformation by supplying industry-leading Stratasys 3D printing solutions to animation studios, prop makers, and production teams across the UK. Whether it’s for stop-motion animation, live-action films, or immersive theatre productions, our expertise helps creative professionals bring their visions to life with precision and efficiency.

Want to explore how 3D printing can enhance your next project?

Get in touch with our team today!