BMZ Power2Go: CGI Real-Image Integration
For the joint product launch of Man at Work and BMZ, we were tasked with bringing the new POWER2GO stations to life visually before their physical completion. The goal: a comprehensive package of static marketing assets and dynamic animations that allows for flexibility during development while offering maximum realism.
Services: CAD preparation, Mixed CGI, 3D animation, 3D visualization
High-Voltage Visualization: Launching the POWER2GO Stations
The Challenge: Realism Meets Agility
The unique challenge of this project lay in the parallel nature of product development and marketing preparation. The launch of the POWER2GO Stations was imminent—a robust, industrial power station designed for professional use. Yet, as is often the case in modern product development, there was a critical hurdle: marketing had to kick off long before the first final production model was physically available.
Traditional product photography was not an option here. A prototype shoot would have meant weeks of delay and logistical nightmares. The requirement for colourweekly was therefore clear: we needed a "digital twin" so realistic that customers couldn't tell the difference from a photograph, along with marketing assets created in tandem with the engineering work.
Optimizing CAD Data
Our work was based on raw engineering (CAD) data. Anyone who has worked with technical CAD files from manufacturing knows the problem: they are built for production, not for product visualization. Thousands of internal screws, cable harnesses, and hidden components bloat the file size and cause messy surfaces in the rendering.
We cleaned up the CAD models and prepared the geometries through a manual process. Edges were rounded—this is the only way for light to catch realistically on the edges, a detail that makes the difference between "computer graphics" and "photorealism."
Another critical point was the material design. The POWER2GO Stations consist of a specific mix of robust hard plastic, rubberized protective coating, and metallic connectors. We had to develop shaders that make this tactile quality feel real in a digital space. In particular, the fine grain of the plastic and the way it reflects diffuse light were precisely matched to material samples through several iteration loops.
Our Solution: Mixed CGI and Technical Precision
The technical difficulty here lies in shadow catching and Lighting-Match. We analyzed the lighting in the photos and recreated it digitally with precision. If the sun hits the photo from the top right at a 45-degree angle, our digital sun must have the exact same angle, color, and intensity. This is the only way for the 3D object to blend seamlessly with the background.
A huge advantage of this workflow became apparent in the middle of the project: there were last-minute product updates from the development team. Where a photographer would have had to repeat the shoot, we simply swapped out the affected components in the 3D model and re-rendered the scenes.
The result
Right on time for the launch date, Man at Work and BMZ had a complete arsenal of high-end assets at their disposal:
- Product cutouts from every conceivable angle for catalogs and web shops.
- Atmospheric mixed-CGI renderingsthat show the product in use and evoke emotion.
- Technical 3D explainer videosthat make complex features understandable in seconds.
Thanks to our workflow, the product launch was able to take place without delay, and the flexibility of the 3D data ensures the client remains agile for future campaigns.
Services
- 3D Visualization & Rendering
- Mixed-CGI (Integration into live-action footage)
- 3D Animation & Motion Design
- CAD Data Preparation
Your vision.
Our 3D expertise.
As your 3D agency in Cologne, we are excited to hear your ideas. We not only offer you technical expertise, but also an open ear for your vision. Contact us for a non-binding discussion — we look forward to getting to know you.
