From making jewellery to “Ten Rings”
Ivan Fung, CEO of UBIVOX, had never envisioned his participation in film production. For Fung, his initial involvement in film production was with the Hong Kong film “Keeper of Darkness.” From then on, films have been a significant service focus for Fung’s company. He was also involved in the production of the film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” recently.
There had been numerous constraints during the pandemic. When it came to the 3D scanning of actors, the filming team initially intended to have Tony Leung, the lead actor, travel to the United States personally. However, considering the costs of time and money, the team contemplated enlisting a Hong Kong-based company to assist with the scanning process. In the end, the production unit found Fung’s company and deemed their technology suitable for collaboration.
Fung said frankly that scanning the award-winning actor was a memorable moment in his career. A full body scan could be completed in a very short time. However, meticulously scanning a pair of hands took several hours. “For an accurate hand scan, Leung had to keep his hands steady in the air. Fortunately, he showed great professionalism and cooperated patiently through several attempts.”
Glad to unlock potential of 3D scanning across diverse industries
With 3D scanning, the images of different extras are converted into digital data, so each frame of the film can remain detailed and lifelike regardless of the director’s later adjustments. Fung said that even film scenes are being 3D scanned nowadays. Obtaining on-site environmental data enables the production team to reduce the time spent on inspections and increase the efficiency of the shoot.
3D scanning technology has now become accessible to the general public. Another significant business of Fung’s company involves using new scanning technology to create model dolls for customers or their pets. Fung disclosed that to boost local spending, shopping malls have enlisted his company to create exclusive dolls for their patrons, thus driving foot traffic and sales.
In addition, he also has his eye on the dental market. 3D scanning and printing are especially well-suited for low-volume production, with dental treatment being a prime example. “There is no need to produce moulds in large quantities since everyone’s teeth are unique, so using 3D scanning and printing to tailor-make moulds is the ideal solution.” The same principle similarly applies to jewellery making that Fung was engaged in before setting up his own business. As the saying goes, rarity makes things more valuable, and thus, mass production is not sought for jewellery.
Reality meets virtual realm of the future
Looking ahead, Fung acknowledged that their business will inevitably face challenges posed by the flourishing of numerous competitors in the Mainland. He said that his company will therefore focus on the service sector going forward, with a commitment to offering customers solutions using 3D scanning. At the same time, they will also leverage self-developed software and cloud computing to enhance their price competitiveness.
He added that the launch of Apple Vision Pro is set to lead to broader prospects for 3D scanning. Even though the device has yet to gain widespread popularity, the situation is reminiscent of 20 years ago when the idea of a smartphone being a phone, camera, music player and word processor all in one was inconceivable. Fung anticipates that 3D scanning will facilitate the seamless integration of digital content with the real world, making it applicable in a myriad of scenarios.
