Clear Angle Studios launches modular Volumetric Capture Rig

The VCR solution is the first purpose-built 4D Gaussian splatting capture system from Clear Angle Studios, the preferred scanning provider for Disney, Universal, Netflix and more.

The modular Volumetric Capture Rig for high-end VFX production now announced by Clear Angle Studios is an advanced system for dynamic Gaussian splat capture that provides VFX artists with photoreal dynamic assets, recreating real-world performances faithfully in digital scenes. The approach provides opportunity for reduced production costs, and has contributed to the development of new approaches for re-lighting.

The global market-leader in high-end 3D and 4D capture, Clear Angle Studios says that the new capture system is the “culmination of 13 years of innovation” and follows the success of the “Dorothy” facial capture and full-body systems utilized by major studios like Disney, Universal, and Netflix.

As expectations of realism in Film, TV, and streaming continue to rise, audiences are increasingly quick to spot artificial digital elements or inconsistencies in lighting and movement. The VCR has been developed to meet growing industry demand for highly believable digital performances, with fewer manual post-production steps and greater realism, on tight production schedules.

Designed to be adaptable for the specific requirements of each shoot, the rig can be configured for a range of applications; from close-up facial capture and single performer work, to stunt performance, group crowds, and larger volumetric performance spaces. With the VCR, productions can capture dynamic performances in a studio which VFX teams can then authentically replicate into a CG environment. For example, large crowd scenes can be populated with extremely lightweight, photoreal Gaussian splat assets, with performers captured in groups in the VCR and re-lit in post.

According to Clear Angle Studios, this approach also reduces costs for VFX teams, where a Gaussian splat workflow can require far fewer production hours to reach the final product than a standard pipeline. Current workflows relying on reconstructed geometry involve significant manual cleanup, texturing, lighting and animation in post-production to provide a photo-real result. A Gaussian splat asset, by contrast, inherently preserves the exact original behavior and natural lighting of the captured performance, providing high-fidelity datasets in a fraction of the time.

The VCR was first showcased in partnership with Union VFX, who utilized Clear Angle Studios’ data to develop a groundbreaking re-lighting solution for Gaussian splats. The ability to re-light a Gaussian splat is crucial to utilizing these assets when captured under scene lighting isn’t possible. Having a pipeline for re-lighting enables productions to capture a performance in the VCR and tailor it perfectly to the specific lighting environment of any scene. Combining Clear Angle Studios’ capture capabilities and Union’s creative visual effects production expertise, the companies were able to deliver a relightable Gaussian-splat-based crowd solution, the first of its kind in use on a major film.

“Our entire ethos is about being faithful to reality. The VCR delivers a dataset which fully preserves the talent’s original nuanced performance, in all its glory. By providing VFX teams with robust, accurate data as a foundation, we make life easier downstream and ensure the final result is completely grounded in truth.” commented Dominic Ridley, CEO of Clear Angle Studios.

Tim Caplan, CEO and Founder, Union VFX, added: “It’s really exciting technology. As far as we know, we’re the only studio currently offering truly relightable Gaussian Splats in production. Being able to relight splats opens up huge creative possibilities for digi-doubles with realistic hair and cloth simulation giving far greater realism and utility than building them traditionally. The costume variation tools, alongside the human imperfection of the captured material make our digital crowds feel far more natural and diverse than a traditional CG approach. The earlier productions start thinking about how they can utilize this tech the more time and money they can save across the production process.”

Volumetric Capture Rig – Technical Specifications:

• Camera Array: 40 high-speed machine vision cameras.
• Resolution & Framerate: 6k resolution sensors recording full resolution at 60fps.
• Image Depth: 12-bit image capture for massive raw information throughput.
• Lighting Array: 450 individually programmable light nodes.
• Lighting Scenarios: Highly customizable lighting capable of up to 120 different light scenarios, including point source OLAT-style (One-Light-at-A-Time) and shadowcast setups.
• Base Capture Volume: 360º coverage of a 2m³ volume.
• Maximum Capture Volume: Scalable up to 2.5m³.
• System Modularity: Modular and reconfigurable; setups range from 180º viewing cones for larger spaces to highly focused, extreme close-up arrays for single-body or half-body high-resolution capture.