What Is 3D ?
Understanding 3D, step by step.
3D is the craft of building images from scratch.
Every scene is created by stacking layers: lighting, textures, color… everything comes together to produce the final render.
A layer-by-layer breakdown
This video breaks a scene down into 13 visual layers: textures, lighting, atmosphere… all the elements that combine to form the final image. But what you see here is already simplified: the lighting has been streamlined for clarity, and the animation is already included.
Working in layers means keeping full control over every detail of a scene. Each element, light, texture, atmosphere, animation can be adjusted, replaced, or modified without affecting the rest. This modular structure is what makes production efficient, without having to start from scratch.
That’s also why, in 3D, almost anything becomes possible: changing the time of day, transforming a set, re-animating a scene in a different way… This layered workflow gives production real flexibility and leaves room for imagination.
Understanding the impact on cost
In 3D, each layer represents a specific amount of work. Some layers take little time, for example a simple ambient light setup, while others require more involved work: complex texture creation, detailed environment modeling, or specific animations.
The more layers there are, and the more complex they are, the longer production takes.
And naturally, the cost increases as well.
This approach lets you choose exactly what you need:
A clean render, fast to produce? Fewer layers, fewer hours, a controlled budget.
An ultra-detailed, custom result with advanced effects? More layers, more hours, a budget aligned with the ambition of the project.
Every project is different, and we build a tailored solution together, with full transparency.
Bringing a scene to life is the role of animation.
At Vertex, we use three complementary approaches depending on your needs, timeline, and the level of realism you’re aiming for.
The first is based on our existing animation libraries: prebuilt movements we can adapt quickly. It’s an efficient option for simple gestures or generic actions.
The second, more advanced approach is motion capture. We record real performances, body or facial, and apply them directly to our 3D characters. This allows us to capture the subtlety of a look, a gesture, or an expression.
Finally, the third method is hand-keyed 3D animation. It involves animating character rigs in professional software, fine-tuning curves, timing, and poses. This approach is essential for refining a movement, correcting a posture, or stylizing an action in a more artistic way.
Even with the best technology, there is always a human touch involved. Animation is, above all, a matter of precision, rhythm, and intent.
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