GAUSSIAN SPLATTING - PHOTOREALISTIC VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
Virtual production is constantly evolving, and Gaussian Splatting is becoming one of the most powerful tools for capturing real-world environments and transforming them into highly detailed digital worlds.
In-House Gaussian Splatting for Photorealistic Virtual Production
Gaussian splatting allows us to capture real locations with a high level of detail, preserving natural textures, lighting and the unique characteristics of the location. Our in-house workflow allows us to capture, process and optimise Gaussian splats for integration into Unreal Engine, creating highly realistic digital environments without the extensive manual 3D modelling traditionally required. These environments can then be used for LED virtual production, pre-visualisation or as VFX assets for post-production.
Actual Gaussian splatting scan
How is Gaussian Splatting Changing Virtual Production?
Gaussian splatting is becoming one of the most powerful tools for capturing real-world environments and transforming them into highly detailed digital worlds. At Silvertown Studios, we use in-house Gaussian splatting technology to create photorealistic 3D environments that can be integrated directly into Unreal Engine and virtual production workflows.
Gaussian splatting allows us to capture real locations with incredible levels of detail, preserving the natural textures, lighting conditions and unique characteristics of a space. Unlike traditional 3D modelling workflows, which can require extensive manual asset creation, Gaussian splatting provides a faster and more efficient way to digitise real-world environments while maintaining a highly realistic appearance.
Actual Gaussian splatting scan
How Does it Work?
Our team can travel to capture locations anywhere in the world, creating bespoke digital environments tailored to each production. From architectural spaces and natural landscapes to complex industrial environments and unique filming locations, we transform real places into flexible virtual assets, ready for use on LED volumes or within real-time rendering workflows.
Once captured, the environments are processed and optimised by our in-house Virtual Art Department, ensuring they perform efficiently within Unreal Engine. This allows filmmakers, agencies and brands to explore real locations virtually, adjust camera positions and have creative freedom without logistical difficulties linked to a traditional shoots.
Actual Gaussian splatting scan
Why Silvertown Studios is an Ideal Partner for Gaussian Splatting for VP/VFX?
By combining Gaussian splatting, Unreal Engine expertise and our purpose-built virtual production stages, Silvertown Studios provides a complete solution for creating highly realistic digital environments. We have developed a robust in-house workflow for capturing, processing, optimising and integrating Gaussian splats directly into Unreal Engine, ensuring they are production-ready for real-time rendering and virtual production applications. From here, we can transform real-world locations into flexible digital assets that can be seamlessly used within LED volumes, pre-visualisation workflows or as VFX assets for post production.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A Gaussian splat can be created from almost any real-world subject or location. This could be an interior or exterior environment anywhere in the world, as well as individual objects and assets such as cars, buildings, trees, furniture or other props. This makes Gaussian splatting particularly useful for capturing real-world spaces and objects and bringing them into a digital environment while preserving their natural detail and appearance.
We also provide the technical team required to operate the LED screen and manage content playback during your shoot. Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden production costs - everything you need for the studio day is included upfront.
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We usually allow around one to two weeks for the pre-production and planning of a Gaussian splat scan, depending on the location and complexity of the project. A location that requires international travel will naturally take longer to organise than a local scan in the UK. The size and complexity of the environment also affects the timeline - scanning a small office will be considerably quicker to plan and capture than a large shopping centre or complex exterior location.
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Gaussian splatting can be useful across almost every stage of a production. In pre-production, directors, DP’s and pre-vis teams can capture and visualise real-world locations in Unreal Engine using a virtual camera, helping them explore shots, camera positions and creative ideas before arriving on set. During production, the captured environment can be brought into Unreal Engine and used as a digital background for LED virtual production, allowing crews to recreate real locations without having to shoot on location. In post-production, the same scans can be used by VFX teams as highly detailed digital assets for compositing, set extensions, environment work and other visual effects. This makes a single scan useful from the initial planning stages through to the final image.
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The cost depends mainly on the location, size and complexity of the scan, as well as the amount of travel and preparation required. As a general guide, the price typically ranges from £2,000 to £4,000 + VAT per location. A smaller and more straightforward location, such as a small interior, would usually be towards the lower end of this range, while larger or more complex environments such as large buildings or extensive outdoor locations would require more time to capture and process. Locations requiring significant travel, particularly international travel, may also increase the overall cost.
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