A Behind the Scenes Look at McGill Studios

Introduction

This page is a behind the scenes look at a client's project development every step of they way. Here we will share with you our procedures, work flow, tools and talent in action on a real world project. This presentation will give you an idea of what to expect when you are working with us on your project. What you will see here is our standard method of working with clients and your experience will be very similar. Move your mouse over highlighted links to see animations, videos, audio and image popups containing additional information.

• What can I expect as a client?
• Will I get my monies worth?
• How do we arrange payment?
• How long will my project take?
• How can you guarantee my satisfaction?
• What level of quality can you produce?
• Can I be involved in the process?
• How will I be able to monitor progress?
• How do you do this stuff!
• Can I trust you with my important project?

1. Meeting with the Client

This project began by meeting with the client in our company offices to discuss their specific needs. In our private offices we have two large white boards where we are able to draw concepts with the client and move rapidly through ideas bringing McGill Studios closer in touch with the clients vision. Our facilities also include a large secure and private conference room for accommodating a larger group and a 20 work station review and training center with two 8-foot digital projectors, and two white boards for reviewing web sites, examining graphics and sharing conceptual ideas with a larger client group. We like to spend some quality time with our clients to endure that we fully understand the details of their important project needs.

2. Preliminary Site Survey and Photography

Using state-of-the-art SLR and medium format professional digital photographic equipment, our professional photographers, who have over 20 years of commercial experience in commercial, product, and fine art photography, showed up on the scene to do our initial photo survey. Over a period of 6 hours and during 3 subsequent return visits to the clients location we took over 1100 high resolution photographs. Most of these photographs were used in planning out the story board and for reference materials for our digital artists and modelers in the coming weeks. Some of the images were to be used in the final production.

3. Brainstorming Session

Next, the McGill Studios team set aside half of a day to meet and brainstorm ideas based on the clients input and example sources we were provided with. It is during this phase that we discuss the technologies we will be using, roles and responsibilities, and concept creation.

4. Initial Artist Review and White Board Sketching

5. Object Scale and Placement of Basic Interior Models

After our on-site job walk we took our sketches, diagrams and photographs, and began the construction of a rough, base-form model of the server facility interior. At this point our objective was not detail, but rather object placement and scale. We also generated video animations (11.3 MB) to provide the client for their examination and approval. At this point approval was not granted, as their were many changes they wanted implemented, so we moved down that path together.

6. Presentation of Concepts to Client for Approval

At this point we went to the client for approval of the direction we were heading. The approval process is central to ensuring complete client satisfaction. McGill Studios requests that clients "sign off" on work every step of the way. This process keeps the customer in the loop and empowers them in the decision making process while eliminating liabilities for our staff in the form of re-producing work or making last minute changes to already completed work that are costly to the client.

7. Advanced Detailed Custom 3D Model Development

Below several hand created base models are represented. These are just a few of the many models that were created for this project.This project would have been easier if we simply textured extreme low poly objects. We really wanted to get to the nuances of this project but producing accurate full models with opending doors and working latches, etc... The result gave us the extra detail that added to a slick, professional illustrated look in the end.

8. Model Measurement, Refinement and Accuracy Check

Most of our preliminary models were created (12.4 MB) from analyzing photographs and first hand observation. Once the hard part was done of creating the high detail models we then went back to the site and performed exacting measurements to compare our models against. We simply printed out all of our models and wrote measurements on the models themselves. We used these measurements to ensure proper scale and to tighten up our accuracy.

9. Floor plan and Environment Construction

10. Texture, Lighting and Environment Construction

11. Basic Categories and Content Developed

12. Survey and Hand Modeling of Building

13. Initial Preliminary Renderings of Facility Objects

14. Meeting with client to get Final Approval on Models

15. Initial Preliminary Renderings of Building

16. Assembly of Objects Into Floor plan Scene

17. Server Room Renders sent to Client for FINAL Approval

18. Preliminary Video Animation Builds and Output

19. Logo Development and Animation Concepts

20. Final Parts and Video Created

21. Final Parts Approval Meeting with Client

22. Macromedia Flash Development Using Created Assets

23. Sound and Audio Development and Review

24. Flash Story board Development and Approval

25. Textual Content From Client Implemented in Flash

26. Last Internal Review Meeting Before Presentation to Client

27. Final Review Meeting with Client

28. Flash, Image, and Audio Optimization

29. Project Completion and Delivery