3D Animation in infrastructure projects From vision to reality

The specialised community of 3D infrastructure animators are seldom seen during the inaugurations of massive infrastructure projects in the country. They work silently in the background, creating walk-throughs, mechanical process sequences and films that provide solutions to complex engineering structures through animated simulations, from inception to construction, completion and implementation. These 3D animations can be used to positively project the client’s capabilities, improve sales, bring in investors, comply with government statutory requirements and educate staff, among others.  Founder Director of Springboard Animation, Harish Ramakrishnan, takes us through some prestigious animation projects his studio has implemented since its inception.

3D walkthroughs are easy to order, rapidly delivered, and have more WOW factor than any other marketing tool. A finished 3D walkthrough can be linked to a website, downloaded onto a PC or played on a mobile device. We strive to make our animations simple and easy while retaining interest levels through different camera angles, sound effects and music. These interactive multimedia presentations allow viewers to see the project taking shape, from the exteriors down to intricate details such as building materials, the environment, landscaping, machinery used, roads and the neighbourhood. The project can be viewed from all angles as per client’s requirement, giving it a photorealistic dimension.

One of our hallmarks, besides the exceptional quality of work, is professionalism, including on-time deliveries, status reports, one-on-one communication, single window operations and heavy use of modern technology to get the job done faster. Our animation films are usually presented to state Chief Ministers, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways and on a couple of occasions, to the Prime Minister. 

The Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project in Bandipora, Kashmir, was initiated to address the needs of energy for the state of J&K. The project is a run of the river scheme designed to divert the water of Kishanganga river in Gurez Valley to an underground power plant at Bandipora in Kashmir valley through 23km of head race tunnel and 764m inclined pressure shaft. The water is then discharged into Bonar nallah through 881m of tail race tunnel.

The Springboard Animation film team including a civil engineer and a photographer/videographer, along with the client HCC, made three site visits under extreme weather conditions to understand the topography, geology, tunnelling methodologies adopted, the engineer’s points of view and equipment used. Elaborate notes were made based on understanding of drawings and power point presentations. Daily site visits to various locations of the project were conducted, including the power house through its numerous under-construction tunnels, getting lowered into an 80 feet deep surge shaft to understand the climber formwork and a breath-taking drive through the snow-capped Pir Panjal mountains to the dam location at Gurez where the Kishanganga river flowed. “It was exciting to walk through the cold tunnels in muck in dim lights, seeing man and machine in action to build an incredibly challenging 23 km tunnel leading all the way from the dam to the powerhouse”, said Ramakrishnan.

The animation team prepared a 35-minute film covering a walkthrough of the site layout, the office, the housing colonies, the working of the dam area, the spillway and the powerhouse. The next section was about the construction sequences in detail with equipment to explain the different tunnelling methodologies used. The film was well received by the client. “It remains one the most challenging ones and gave us tremendous confidence in understanding complex engineering processes”, he added.

The Mumbai Coastal Road Project is a significant infrastructure initiative aimed at improving transportation in Mumbai. The project spans approximately 29.2 kilometres from Marine Drive to Kandivali in the north. It is divided into multiple phases, with the first phase covering around 9.98 kilometres from Marine Drive to Worli. Springboard Animation was hired by two clients L&T & HCC as they were constructing Package 1 and Package 2 of the project and the film had to have a continuous look. The walkthrough presentation went through numerous meetings, iterations and multi-level approvals from various government bodies before its final look. Two films, one for each client, were presented and which were well received.  “It is a matter of pride when we drive through the current opened phases of the coastal road having been engaged with creating the film at the inception stage for this massive infrastructure project”, he said. Post the walkthrough presentations, various section construction sequences were created and the team continues to be engaged in this landmark project.

The Male to Thilafushi bridge link is a transformative project for the Maldives, poised to bring substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits. By improving connectivity and promoting balanced urban development, the bridge will play a crucial role in the nation’s growth and prosperity. The successful completion of this project will mark a significant milestone in the Maldives’ infrastructure development journey. Working with AFCONS, Springboard Animation visited all the Maldivian islands connected to the proposed bridge. They carried out photography and videography of the site and met with engineers to understand the alignment and construction sequence. Since the first visit, they have prepared three sets of films. This project is being carried out under the supervision of the Indian government. “It is a matter of pride for India and a prestigious project for Springboard Animation”, said Ramakrishnan.

Other noteworthy projects of the team among the 200 they have completed include the New Zuari Bridge project in Goa for their client Dilip Buildcon Ltd. to address the growing traffic and safety concerns by providing a durable solution to ensure safe passage across the Zuari River connecting Panjim and Margao and a 3D animation film for Jatadhari Muhan port in Orissa for JSW for setting up of an all-weather, multi-cargo, greenfield captive jetty(ies) at Jatadhari Muhan river, near Paradip Port in Jagatsinghpur district.