3D scanning helps to create theatrical scenery

3D scanning technologies are penetrating deeper and deeper into various areas of our lives. For example, specialists in the decorations of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow are actively using a 3D scanner to create new, unique decorations for performances.

Today we will tell you how a wonderful elephant was born for the ballet La Bayadere.

It all starts with the idea and hands of a sculptor creating a miniature (about 7 cm high) of a future giant out of clay.:

Immediately after that, it’s the turn of the RangeVision Smart 3D scanner.:

The scan takes 5−7 minutes and allows you to get a high-quality and accurate 3D model that conveys all the subtleties of the sculpture.:

We can preserve this model for many years to come — unlike clay, it does not succumb to the harmful effects of the atmosphere and time.

The data format also allows you to work with the model in all popular virtual modeling environments. Thus, it is possible to shorten the production time of the sculpture by conducting all the intermediate surveys on a computer, saving the material and time of the artist’s work.

The next stage of production is foam cutting. Based on a 3D model from a foam cube, the base for our future elephant is being cut on a special machine.

As a result, we get a 20-fold magnified replica of the clay elephant! (height ~1.5m).

The resulting layout is then coated with a special compound.

The tusks are painted and attached:

And here again, you can’t do without the art of a sculptor.
In order for our elephant to look solemn and fit into the overall concept of the production, the masters of the Bolshoi Theater decorate it in a characteristic oriental style.:

Now that our hero has acquired the appropriate look, he is sent directly to the scene, where he is placed on a pedestal and prepared for the stage, where he will shine throughout the season.: