TECHVIS in Virtual Production: How Mach Uses It to Pre-Plan the Impossible

A Lwt Group Company

“Measure twice, shoot once”—but in 3D.

In traditional filmmaking, planning a complex shoot often meant whiteboard sketches, storyboards, and guesswork. But in virtual production, guesswork can be costly. That’s where TECHVIS comes in.

At Mach, we’ve taken Techvis to the next level by creating a full 3D scan of our chroma studio—allowing us to pre-visualize every camera angle, lens choice, and light placement before we ever roll. The result? Faster shoots, zero surprises, and pixel-perfect alignment between physical and virtual worlds.

🛠 What Is TECHVIS?

Techvis (short for technical visualization) is a process where the technical side of a scene—like camera placements, lens choices, lighting rigs, and actor movement—is pre-visualized in 3D. Unlike storyboards or animatics (which focus on narrative), Techvis is about execution.

It answers critical questions like:
- Will this crane fit in our set?
- Can this wide-angle lens capture the virtual skyline we’ve designed?
- Where do we hang that key light without spilling on the green screen?

Think of it like a flight simulator for filmmakers—testing every maneuver before you go airborne.

🛰 How Mach Uses TECHVIS with a 3D Studio Scan

At Mach, we’ve scanned our entire studio into a 3D model, accurate to the inch. This virtual replica includes:
- Floor and wall measurements
- Chroma spill zones
- Lighting grid layout
- Green screen edges and safe zones
- Camera and equipment paths

We import this scanned environment into Unreal Engine and use it as the base for all our Techvis planning. From there, we simulate:
- Camera movements and tracking paths
- Lens choices and field-of-view checks
- Virtual set extensions and 3D overlays
- Safe distances for lighting gear
- Chroma spill reduction zones
- Actor movement, blocking, and sightlines

🎯 Why It Matters

Here’s how Techvis makes a difference:

✅ Prevents costly on-set errors
By simulating your entire shoot in advance, you avoid last-minute surprises like rig clashes or bad framing.

⏱ Speeds up production timelines
You walk onto set knowing exactly what to do, saving hours of trial and error.

🧠 Informs creative decisions
Directors can explore lensing options, while cinematographers can test lighting rigs—all without lifting a single C-stand.

💸 Saves budget
Fewer reshoots, better planning, and optimized crew movement = lower costs.

✈️ What’s Possible with Techvis at Mach?

With our real-world 3D studio scan integrated into our pipeline:
- We test Unreal environments against real lens data before final builds
- We plan complex tracking shots that merge real and virtual set pieces
- We optimize lighting to avoid green spill and light mismatches
- We preview camera lineups in virtual previs using actual studio geometry
- We assess whether large props or equipment can fit and function within our space

In short, Techvis helps us fly with precision.

👨‍🎓 Gen Z Creators, Here’s Why You Should Care

If you’re a creator trying to shoot big with a small crew or a student filmmaker looking to make Hollywood-level content, Techvis gives you the confidence to plan like a pro. It’s like doing your shoot in VR before you hit record.

No more guessing. No more mess-ups. Just clean, efficient creation.

📣 Final Call: Plan Smart. Shoot Smarter.

At Mach, we don’t just shoot—we simulate, visualize, and execute with technical clarity. Our Techvis pipeline ensures every virtual production shoot is pre-planned down to the pixel.

✈️ Let’s pre-visualize your next big idea.
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