Objet 3D Printers Used in Stop-Motion Animation for 'Coraline'

By DE Editors

Three of Objet Geometries Ltd.’s 3D printing systems, the Eden260, Eden500V and Connex500, were used in the development and production of the animated feature film, “Coraline.” 3D printing was used in many of the stop-motion animations used in Coraline’s characters and sets.  

The character Coraline unlocks a door and enters into an alternate reality. This story required the use of thousands of high-quality 3D models, ranging from facial expressions to doorknobs and food spreads, which were printed using the Objet systems. The systems transformed CAD drawings into high-quality models in precisely and in very little time.

Where Objet technology was used was in the facial animation of the characters. Artists at LAIKA employed Objet systems to create hundreds of models with individual facial expressions that were exchanged on puppet characters to create the illusion of numerous actions and emotions, from talking and smiling to laughing and crying. The character of Coraline could potentially exhibit over 208,000 facial expressions.

For further information, visit Objet Geometries, Ltd.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.