Case Study: Siemens & Advids - B2b Visualization Video For Visualizing Internal Product Mechanisms

1. Engineering the Invisible: 3D Visualization for Complex Construction Assemblies

Summary

In the high-stakes world of architectural construction, the smallest components often ensure the greatest stability. Mapei, a global leader in building materials, needed to demonstrate the precise installation and function of their Perimeter and Wall Clips—vital accessories for raised flooring systems. Advids engineered a high-fidelity 3D Industrial/Technical Animation that stripped away the complexity of the job site, delivering a pristine, photorealistic guide that communicates installation protocols with absolute clarity to contractors and architects worldwide.

The Challenge: Visualizing the Hidden Infrastructure

The core challenge was the "Visibility Paradox." The product—metal clips—is designed to be hidden beneath heavy concrete tiles once installed. Furthermore, the installation process requires specific, destructive modifications to the support pedestals (cutting) that must be executed with precision. A live-action video would struggle to capture these micro-interactions clearly amidst the visual noise of a construction site. Mapei required a solution that could isolate the mechanical action, demonstrate the precise "snap-fit" tolerance, and validate the stability of the system, all while maintaining a premium, architectural aesthetic.

The Advids Solution: The Precision Visualization Workflow

We deployed our Advids Precision Visualization Workflow, a specialized pipeline designed for industrial and technical storytelling. By converting engineering data into photorealistic 3D assets, we created a virtual installation environment. This approach allowed us to use "impossible cameras"—angles and cuts that would be unachievable in reality—to show the clips interfacing with the pedestals and walls. The result is a language-neutral visual asset that serves as both a marketing tool and an instructional guide.

Client Profile

• Client: Mapei
• Industry: Construction Materials & Adhesives
• Headquarters: Milan, Italy (Global Operations)
• Objective: To drive adoption of raised floor accessories through clear, high-quality technical education.

Branded Workflow Overview

Workflow Module: 3D Industrial/Technical Animation

Brand Name: The Advids Precision Visualization Workflow

Technical Focus: Computer-Aided Design assembly handling, Physically Based Rendering of industrial materials, and kinetic simulation of installation mechanics.

Project at a Glance

Project Timeline & Key Milestones

• Week 1: Data Ingestion & Optimization
  • Received raw manufacturing files (Mapei_Pedestal_ASM_v04.stp).
  • Advids Action: Tessellated heavy engineering geometry into animation-ready polygon meshes.

• Week 2: Previsualization (The Blocking Phase)
  • Created Animatic_Install_Seq_v02.mp4 to establish pacing and camera angles.
  • Internal Quote: "We need to slow down the cutting sequence. The user needs to see exactly where the blade makes contact." - Advids Technical Lead

• Week 3: Look Development (Material Science)
  • Created Physically Based Rendering shaders for "Porous Concrete" and "Brushed Marine Steel".
  • Artifact: Texture_Concrete_Diff_4k.png.

• Week 4: Technical Animation & Simulation
  • Animated the angle grinder toolpath and the clip "snap" mechanism.
  • Feedback Loop: Client requested the "Wall Clip" gap be more distinct.

• Week 5: Lighting & Environmental Design
  • Implemented Image-Based Lighting using a "City Skyline" High Dynamic Range Image to create realistic reflections on the glass and metal.

• Week 6: Rendering & Compositing
  • Generated final frames at 1080p resolution.
  • Composed text overlays for key technical specifications.

• Week 7: Final Mastering
  • Audio mixing of sound effects (grinder, click, snap) and final color grading.

The Production Deep Dive

Stage 1: Data Ingestion and The Geometry Optimization

Goal: To convert precise but density-heavy manufacturing data into manageable 3D assets.

Process: Mapei provided the clip and pedestal models in standard engineering formats. These files are mathematically perfect but geometrically heavy. Advids utilized a retopology process to optimize the mesh density.

Action: We reduced the polygon count of the pedestal threads by 60% without losing visual fidelity, ensuring the animation rig remained responsive during the complex "height adjustment" sequences.

Stage 2: The Critical Juncture – Simulating the "Cut"

Challenge: At timestamp 00:25, the installation requires the installer to cut the plastic head of the pedestal with an angle grinder. Visualizing a destructive action in 3D is complex because it involves changing the topology of the model mid-animation.

Solution: Advids utilized a Boolean Animation technique. We created a transparent "negative" geometry shaped like the cutting path of the grinder. As the 3D model of the grinder moved across the pedestal, the negative geometry subtracted the plastic material in real-time. This allowed for a clean, precise visual of the cut, free from the dust and debris that would obscure the view in live-action footage.

Artifact: Sim_Pedestal_Boolean_Cut_v03.c4d

Feedback Loop: Defining the Metal Aesthetic

Client: "The clips look a bit too chrome-like in the V1 render. They are stainless steel, but they have a matte finish, not a mirror finish."

Advids: "Understood. We reviewed the physical sample photos. We will increase the roughness value in the Physically Based Rendering shader to diffuse the reflection and add a subtle anisotropy map to simulate the brushed metal texture."

Result: The final render accurately reflects the industrial finish of the steel, enhancing the perception of durability.

Stage 3: Visualizing Stability (The Interface)

Goal: To demonstrate the seamless fit of the clips under the tiles.

Process: At timestamp 00:36, we needed to show the clip interacting with both the pedestal and the tile.

Action: We employed a "Ghosting" technique. As the tile is lowered onto the clip, we maintained a calculated camera angle that allowed the viewer to see the clip's flange engaging with the tile's edge before it was fully covered. This verified the "straight, uniform perimeter gaps" promise made in the on-screen text.

Visual Asset Strategy

Synergy Analysis: Human Expertise vs. Technology

While high-end rendering engines (like Redshift or Octane) provided the raw power to calculate light and shadow, the project's success relied on human engineering insight.

• Technology: Calculated the complex light refractions on the glass balcony and the ambient occlusion shadows between the paved tiles.
• Human Expertise: Advids animators understood the weight of the concrete tiles and the torque of the angle grinder. We manually keyed the easing and timing of the movements to ensure they felt heavy and deliberate, rather than weightless and floaty—a common pitfall in automated or lower-tier 3D animation.

Outcomes and Strategic Learnings

The finalized visualization successfully bridged the gap between complex engineering and on-site application.

• Clarity Achieved: The "exploded" and "cut" views eliminated ambiguity regarding the installation process.
• Global Applicability: By relying on visual demonstration rather than voiceover, Mapei could deploy this single asset across multiple international markets without localization costs.
• Brand Elevation: The photorealistic environment placed the product in a premium context, appealing to high-end architects and developers.

Strategic Next Step:

Would you like us to analyze your existing technical product manuals to identify other complex assemblies that could be simplified through a similar 3D visualization workflow?

Final Video