Challenge: Merging the worlds of digital harvesting and firefighting into an authentic add-on for the popular video game Farming Simulator.
Solution: Artec Leo, Artec Ray II, Artec Studio, Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Maya, Blender, Adobe Substance Painter
The result: an "Emergency Pack" filled with realistic vehicles and equipment that allows players to rescue people from burning fields or car wrecks, just like real firefighters. Digitizing these elements using 3D scanning instead of photogrammetry reduced the production time by at least a third.
Why Artec 3D?: Combined, the Artec Leo and Ray II provide unparalleled precision and scope in 3D data capture. Using Artec Studio software, scans from Leo and Ray II can be stitched together to create extremely high-resolution 3D models of large objects or even wider environments.
PC gaming is fortunate to be supported by a huge community of modders. From characters and gameplay mechanics to brand new areas, these modders often develop additional content (DLC) that brings freshness to their favorite games, driven solely by their passion for gaming.
Thus began the story of Frederik Leifeling and his team of 3D artists from Hopsten, Germany. When they first discovered Farming Simulator, they realized that the game combined their mutual interests in gaming, engineering and, ultimately, 3D modeling. What started as a modding hobby soon turned into a business - in 2016, they founded the Creative Mesh company.
Under Frederik's leadership, the company grew year after year, making models for other popular games and launching its own digitization services.
However, thanks to close cooperation with developer GIANTS Software, Farming Simulator remains the main focus of Creative Mesh. After the success of their hit DLC "Straw Harvest", Frederik recently had a new idea: Why not throw fire trucks into the world of virtual farming?
As a volunteer firefighter, the company's CEO already had access to relevant equipment and a detailed understanding of firefighting tasks. However, he faced a problem: how to quickly and accurately digitize the huge fire trucks, as well as specialized equipment like rippers and rescue scissors? Solution: Artec Leo and Artec Ray II.
Improving modeling with 3D scanning
One of the main obstacles in vehicle digitization is access to the original data. When the original design files are available, modeling the vehicle is much simpler. However, CAD data is often hard to come by, and even when you have it, it may contain flaws or temporary elements, making it unreliable to use.
Creative Mesh's previous solution was to use images as visual references for 3D sketching or a photogrammetry kit for digitizing machinery and tractors. However, Frederik points out that this only allowed them to take basic measurements, while the sheer number of photos required quickly pushed the team to "capacity limits".
To develop more realistic models for video games and reduce development time, they turned to long-time partner GIANTS Software, whose team had been using 3D scanning for some time. Convinced of the potential of 3D scanning to speed up the workflow, Creative Mesh contacted Artec ambassador KLIB, who offered them a live demonstration of the first wireless 3D scanner with artificial intelligence: Artec Leo.
Comparing data acquisition with the Artec Leo to using a digital camera, Frederik said they were "absolutely blown away" by its intuitiveness and accuracy. This prompted the company to acquire the device, and after just one day of training, the team was ready to scan.
"It's always rewarding to help innovators overcome technological challenges. But it's especially satisfying when they're as enthusiastic as Frederik and his team," said KLIB CEO Knut Lehmann. "After a short training session, it was clear that Leo was the right tool for the job – its speed and ease of use were a significant improvement over previous solutions."
After digitizing smaller equipment, the team still ran into difficulties merging scans of larger vehicles – a task that was possible but time-consuming. To take full advantage of 3D scanning, Frederik concluded that they also needed a feature-length option: the Artec Ray II.
Combining the Artec Leo and Ray II scanners turned out to be a hit. The Artec Leo's flexibility allowed the team to digitize two fire engines in detail, while the Ray II scanner covered the wider scene in one go. The result is ultra-high resolution models ready for video games.
With real-time feedback via Leo's onboard display, the team was able to ensure complete data acquisition even before processing. Later, they digitized the equipment so quickly that the engineers did not have to remove anything from the site, which saved them a lot of bureaucratic effort.
"Scanning such large vehicles was challenging," said Frederick. "In addition, everything was developing quickly and new applications appeared. So we started talking about the Artec Ray II, and I have to say that it combines very well with the Artec Leo."
"We also scan old, specialized Farming Simulator equipment, for which no digital data exists. Having these 3D scanning capabilities is a huge advantage."
'Multi-resolution' models for video games
Artec Studio is the heart of Creative Mesh's video game modeling workflow. Using this powerful 3D data acquisition and processing platform, it is possible to merge extremely detailed datasets obtained from multiple scans and maximize mesh resolution with a single click.
Frederik particularly praises the level of textures retained during the process. Although mainly used as a reference during 3D modeling, meshes retain colors that make it easier to see small details. He also highlights the importance of the grid reduction option in Artec Studio, which removes unnecessary frames and simplifies files. He adds that his team "never has compatibility issues," which makes exporting very easy.
After mesh optimization, Creative Mesh uses a range of software tools, including Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, Blender and Adobe Substance Painter for ultra-realistic PBR texturing. Their team of 3D artists begins by sketching out the model, using not only the geometry data, but the textures embedded in the scans as a guide.
"Our reference files are now so good that we can see everything in full color, in 3D space," Frederick added. "Compared to image-based modeling, we can speed up the process significantly. Our production time is now at least a third shorter."
The results are obvious. Their DLC, which includes models of two fire trucks (digitized down to the smallest detail, like ladder rungs and reflective paint), as well as equipment like a hose and a traffic signal cart, is available now. For added realism, the DLC also features wrecked car models, which would be impossible to replicate in any other way - which explains why it was met with enthusiasm.
"In Europe, many farmers are actually volunteers in fire brigades. That's why we decided to add this new gameplay to Farming Simulator," explained Frederik. "When we launched the pack, we activated an entire dormant community. The number of users on our Discord channel practically doubled - it was crazy!"
Expanding into new virtual worlds
There is no room for stagnation in the dynamic world of video game modeling, and Creative Mesh is already working on various other projects. After launching a Farming Simulator map inspired by the popular Netflix movies Rebel Moon , their team ventured into new territory using the Artec Leo and Ray II, digitizing two turboprop planes, inside and out, for the classic PC game Microsoft Flight Simulator .
As they continue to refine the 3D data collection technique, Frederik anticipates additional savings in build time. In scanning fire trucks alone, he says they've made a "huge leap forward" - they're 70% faster. In the future, he adds, Creative Mesh plans to introduce even more models, including a vintage tractor model, as well as explore the wider potential of 3D scanning.
"We definitely want to expand our offering," Frederik concluded. "We are ready to use the entire experience with this technology to provide services to other companies. This could include everything from digitizing architectural scenes to creating digital worlds."