Bring Bollywood dreams to life with rapid prototyping

From the imagination to the big screen, see how we empower Bollywood filmmakers to create captivating cinematic worlds.

 

Call 000-800-040-2543 (9:30 AM to 5:30 PM India local time) if you need our assistance.


Image courtesy of Hadynyah

Working with rapid prototype model

What is rapid prototyping?

Rapid prototyping is the process of quickly creating physical models from digital designs to test ideas and improve them faster. Using tools like 3D modelling software and 3D printers, designers can turn concepts into physical objects in hours instead of weeks. This approach saves time and money by allowing for multiple test versions before final production.

The key benefits of rapid 3D prototyping include speeding up the design process, reducing costs by using cheaper materials, and allowing for quick iterations to perfect the product. It also encourages creativity by letting filmmakers experiment and innovate without wasting resources.

covering on event with a video
Image courtesy Rommel Gonzalez

The challenge of modern filmmaking

Taking an idea that exists only in your head and bringing it to life is no small feat. Whether you’re working on an ad, video, or a feature-length movie, directors and production designers are often required to create something out of nothing including props and costumes to sets and, sometimes, entire worlds.

Technological advances (US Site) like 3D printing are impacting the way teams, artists, and filmmakers create and distribute media, challenging professionals to find better, faster ways to bring their stories to life and achieve creative goals. But it’s all for the better. Props that used to take weeks can now take advantage of rapid prototyping 3D printing to turn a sketch into a physical object.

Indian young woman at city palace Jaipur in Rajasthan state, India
Image courtesy of CR Shelare

Embracing 3D prototyping: A close-up on Bollywood

Bollywood is one of the most prolific film industries worldwide, producing an estimated 1500 to 2000 movies every year. These movies are famously known for their colourful aesthetics, heightened dramatics, musical numbers, and dance. They are fantastical yet culturally rich, telling stories about people, romance, legacy, and action. 

For a typical Bollywood production, set designs and visual effects play a big role. Early on, filmmakers relied on practical effects teams to manually sculpt or fabricate props, often at a considerable cost of time, money, and resources. These days, the rise of digital tools and computer-aided design (CAD) has transformed the process, making it possible to realise creative visions faster, more affordably, and with better quality. 

Instead of building physical scale models for set construction, filmmakers can save production time and effort with access to 3D prototype printing software like Autodesk’s FusionMaya, and 3ds Max. These tools are increasingly used in Bollywood films, improving overall quality and experience and enabling collaboration with skilled professionals across the world.

Rapid prototyping in filmmaking examples

Let’s look at how Autodesk helps conceptualise and execute ideas, including examples of how the software can be used in recent Bollywood hits.

Costuming

In the Bollywood Adventure Epic, Kalki 2898 AD, a city fights against maxi-sized competitors for a chance at a better future. Autodesk’s Fusion can be used to design its futuristic armour and costumes. With Fusion’s generative design (US Site) capabilities, the production team could simply input desired parameters for any object—such as weight, materials, and strength—and let the software generate multiple design alternatives so you get the perfect look before printing.

 

Miniatures

Creating an immersive, large-scale environment is expensive. Fusion could help you realise your dreams and stay within budget through miniatures. By prototyping and 3D printing your fantastical cityscapes and towering structures at a fraction of the size, you can simulate large-scale battles and expansive scenes without needing full-size set builds. It’s not only cost-effective but also allows you to film scenes that fit your movie’s aesthetic and meet practical requirements like functionality, stability, and mobility.

 

Propmaking

Using Fusion, you can transform everyday objects into futuristic designs or period pieces. A basic helmet, for instance, can be redesigned to resemble a sleek space explorer's headgear with carefully placed 3D-printed modifications. The vehicles in Kalki 2898 AD can be designed by overlaying mechanical elements and unique textures on a base model. Once the design is finalised, the add-ons are 3D printed with materials that make it easy to fashion lightweight, durable props that work and look realistic in action scenes.

 

Get started

Are you crafting intricate gadgets for a sci-fi thriller, designing period-accurate costumes for a historical drama, or simply looking to flex your creative muscles in a new way? 

 

Autodesk helps you push the boundaries of creativity while ensuring functionality and practicality in the physical world. Dream big and take a step with Autodesk today.

 

Call 000-800-040-2543 (9:30 AM to 5:30 PM India local time) if you need our assistance.

Featured rapid prototyping software

Cloud-based 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software for product design


3D modelling, animation and rendering software for games and design visualisation.


3D animation, modelling, simulation and rendering software for film, games and TV.


Generatively designed part designed in Fusion and 3d-printed prototype is shown

From parametric modelling to rapid prototyping with Fusion

Autodesk Fusion helps turn simple sketches into a physical model. Its parametric modelling features transform your idea while simulating the prop or object’s functionality. This ensures moving parts work as you expect before physical assembly begins, saving a lot of production time and ensuring it looks and works the way you, the crew, and the actors need.

Dark angel by Surajit Sen
Image courtesy of Surajit Sen

3ds Max and Maya for film and VFX

3ds Max and Maya can help artists and filmmakers design and animate digital characters, environments, and other visual effects. The 2024 Bollywood horror comedy Stree 2, directed by Amar Kaushik, is the sequel to the 2018 hit Stree. Starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, the film follows Vicky and his friends as they confront a new supernatural menace in the town of Chanderi—a headless ghost known as Sarkata. 3ds Max and Maya can be used to bring this dark presence to life and model the haunted village to set the movie’s atmosphere and environment.

Working in the offices of the Autodesk San Francisco Technology Center using Fusion 360.

Bring your Bollywood vision to life with collaborative cloud capabilities

Used together, Fusion, 3ds Max, and Maya enhance your and your team’s capabilities on-set. With them, you can create fictional worlds that immerse your audience and feel real.

With cloud-based collaboration, designers and engineers can work together no matter where they are. Designers can share their Fusion models with directors, producers, and other team members, who can view, comment on, and even modify the designs in real-time. This speeds up production, reduces miscommunication, and ensures everyone is working from an aligned vision.

3D prototyping free resources

Find out everything you need to know about prototyping, from its necessity for your product to non-negotiable steps and potential production costs.

 

Get all the details about 3d printing rapid prototyping with Autodesk’s Fusion and understand all the ways Fusion can support you through the development cycle. 

 

Get familiar with Autodesk Fusion and its powerful extensions that offer a suite of tools for prototype 3D printing, including electronics design, automated modelling, simulation, generative design, latticing, rendering, and more.

 

Rapid prototyping frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is rapid prototyping and how does it work?

Rapid prototyping is a process of creating physical models from 3D computer-aided design (CAD) data. It works by using additive manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing.

How does rapid prototyping benefit the product design and development process?

Rapid prototyping allows for quick iteration, testing, and refinement of designs, reducing time to market and development costs. Designers can test concepts in physical form, making it easier to spot flaws and make adjustments.

What industries commonly use rapid prototyping?

Industries like automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics (US Site), healthcare, and entertainment (such as films and video games (US Site)) widely use rapid prototyping for design and product development.

How does rapid prototyping differ from traditional manufacturing methods?

Rapid prototyping is faster, more flexible, and less labour-intensive than traditional manufacturing, focusing on design validation rather than large-scale production.

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