KAL Virtual Cartoons Case Study

Digital Imaging: KAL Virtual Cartoons

The Story:
In 2006, KAL became the Artist-in-Residence for the Imaging Research Center (IRC) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where he would explore the animating his caricatures in 3D. That same year the Walters Art Museum mounted a major retrospective exhibition of KAL's work. KAL wanted to create his first 3D digital caricature to premier at a live press conference at the Walters Art Museum upon the opening of his retrospective entitled Mightier than the Sword: The Satirical Pen of KAL.

KAL's Digital Dubya made its debut as a real-time, virtual puppet controlled by the artist using two joysticks. KAL continued to work with Dubya creating a number of animated shorts with the help of the IRC and Digital Steamworks, which include Dancing Dubya that can be viewed above. Enjoying his work with 3D caricature animation, KAL launched a Maryland based animation company Kaltoons LLC and has continue to produce new public and political caricatures including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. return to full slide show

The Challenge:
KAL approached Direct Dimensions to digitally capture his clay caricature sculptures, based on original cartoon caricatures, to create 3D models that can be used 3D digital animation. return to full slide show

The Solution:

Laser Scan the artist's original sculptures
Process and clean the data to create 3D polygonal models
Decimate the polygonal models to create low resolution of the 3D models
Create 3D structures suitable for animation
Create digital texture maps to color and texture the 3D structures
Test the digital texture maps with the 3D structures
Prepare the models for animation

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Applications

Digital Molds
3D Archiving
Digital Sculpting
Restoration
Replicas and Editions
Enlargements and Reductions
Crating and Exhibits
Research and Analysis
Fundraising

Services

3D Scanning
3D Modeling
Visualization
Fabrication
Project Management