Our Animation Process

A transparent, collaborative approach to creating high-quality 3D medical animations for your surgical procedures and medical devices

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Overview1. Storyboard2. Quote3. Greenlight4. Prep5. Alpha Review6. Beta7. Final RenderFAQ
Overview

How Medical Animation Production Works

We follow a structured, milestone-based process designed to ensure clarity, accuracy, and satisfaction at every stage. Here's what you can expect when working with us:

01Storyboard DevelopmentPlanning & Concept 02Quote & Budget AgreementTransparent Pricing 03Greenlight & Asset TransferCAD files & materials 04Prep & Initial SetupCreating the skeleton 05Alpha ReviewRefine & review 06Beta RefinementPolish 07Final Render & DeliveryIt's go time

marks a milestone you approve before the next phase starts. Four of the seven.

Phase 1

Storyboard Development

Every successful medical animation starts with a clear storyboard. This phase establishes the foundation for your entire project.

Included

What You'll Do

  • Complete our storyboard template (provided) or use your preferred format
  • Outline the key scenes, surgical steps, or product demonstrations
  • Define voiceover script and on-screen text
  • Identify critical visual details and technical accuracy requirements

What We'll Do

  • Review your storyboard submission
  • Schedule a consultation call to clarify details and answer questions
  • Ensure alignment on project scope, timing, and technical requirements
Interbody cage on its inserter, from a surgical technique guide

Voiceover Recommendations

We strongly recommend including a professional voiceover in your animation. Voice narration helps us achieve optimal timing and pacing. We work with experienced medical voiceover talent, though you're welcome to provide your own. Pro tip: Read your script aloud at a moderate pace. The reading time typically matches your final animation length.

Animation Length Guidelines

Most medical animations range from 2-4 minutes. Some clients opt for longer animations that can be edited into multiple shorter segments for different platforms and audiences.

Music Selection

Background music is optional. If desired, we defer selection to you since music preference is highly subjective. We recommend Audiojungle.net for affordable, royalty-free medical animation music.

Ready to Start your Project?

Download our storyboard template and begin planning your project today

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Phase 2

Quote & Budget Agreement

After reviewing your storyboard, we provide a detailed quote based on project complexity, animation length, and required deliverables.

You sign off hereIncluded

Our Pricing Philosophy

  • Transparent, quotes based on your specific needs
  • Flexible options to work within your budget
  • No hidden fees or surprise charges
Important: If project scope changes after approval (design modifications, additional scenes, or expanded requirements), we'll communicate any additional costs upfront before proceeding.
Phase 3

Greenlight & Asset Transfer

Once scope and budget are approved, it's time to gather all materials needed to bring your animation to life.

Included

Required Assets

  • CAD Files (Preferred Format: .STP)
  • 3D models of surgical instruments, implants, and devices
  • Laser markings, measurements, and guide markings must be included in CAD files
  • If CAD files aren't available, we can recreate models (additional fee applies)

Reference Materials

  • Product demonstration videos or phone footage
  • Links to animation styles or references you like
  • Product brochures and marketing materials
  • High-resolution images of devices and instruments
  • Anatomical positioning guidelines
  • Surgical technique documentation
Instrument render built from the client's CAD file
Critical: Adding laser markings after the fact costs extra and won't be as accurate as original CAD data. Ensure your engineer includes all markings in the .STP files.

What Happens Next?

Once we receive your assets, we'll confirm receipt and schedule the initial setup phase. The more complete your reference materials, the faster and more accurate the process.

Have Questions About Required Assets?

We're here to help you prepare everything needed for a smooth production process

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Phase 4

Prep & Initial Setup

This critical phase establishes the foundation for anatomical accuracy and proper device placement.

You sign off hereChanges later may incur charges

What We Create

  • Initial 3D setup showing device placement with anatomy
  • Verification of scale, positioning, and spatial relationships
  • Product configuration in surgical context

Approval Process

  • We schedule a screen-sharing video call to review the setup together in real-time. This allows for immediate feedback, questions, and adjustments.
Initial 3D setup: pelvic fixation placed against anatomy
Critical Checkpoint: Changes to the approved setup made later in production may incur additional charges. Take time to ensure everything is accurate at this stage.
Phase 5

Alpha Review

With the setup approved, we create the first complete draft of your medical animation.

You sign off hereEasiest place to change

What to Expect

  • Rough animation showing complete flow and sequence
  • All major surgical steps or product demonstrations
  • Timing, pacing, and camera movements
  • Initial lighting and basic rendering

Feedback & Revisions

  • Review the video through our secure upload platform
  • Leave timestamped feedback and comments
  • Notify us when all feedback is submitted
  • Schedule a call to discuss and prioritize changes

This phase may require multiple revision rounds for complex animations. Changes are easiest and most cost-effective to implement during Alpha.

Phase 6

Beta Refinement

The animation is nearly complete, with focus shifting to polish and minor corrections.

You sign off hereSmaller scope, faster rounds

What's Included

  • Refined rendering and lighting
  • Final materials and textures
  • Polished camera work and transitions
  • Text overlays and annotations
  • Voiceover integration and audio mixing

Review Process

  • Same feedback process as Alpha, but with faster turnaround due to smaller scope of changes. Most projects complete Beta in 1-2 rounds.
Refined render with final materials and lighting
Phase 7

Final Render & Delivery

Once you've approved the Beta version, we proceed with final high-resolution rendering.

Post-render changes cost extra

Final Deliverables

  • High-definition animation (1920x1080 HD)
  • Optimized file formats for your intended use
  • Complimentary still images extracted from animation

Complimentary Still Images

  • HD images (1920x1080) from any frame of the animation
  • Transparent backgrounds available
  • Text overlays and effects can be removed
  • Print-ready resolution (6.5" x 3.5" at 300 DPI)
  • Perfect for websites, trade show graphics, and marketing materials
Final render with a complimentary transparent-background still
Final Render Policy: Changes requested after final render completion will incur additional costs unless the error originated on our end.
FAQ

FAQs

Got some more questions? Contact the team

How long does the entire medical animation process take?
Timeline varies based on animation complexity and revision rounds. Most 2-4 minute medical animations complete in 4-8 weeks from storyboard approval to final delivery.
What if I don't have CAD files for my medical device?
We can recreate 3D models from reference photos, technical drawings, or physical samples. This service requires additional time and budget, which we'll discuss during the quote phase.
Can I make changes after final render is complete?
Yes, but post-render changes require additional fees for re-rendering and compositing. We encourage thorough review during Alpha and Beta phases when changes are more cost-effective.
Do you provide voiceover services?
Yes, we work with professional medical voiceover talent. You can also provide your own voiceover recording if preferred.
What file formats do you deliver?
We deliver HD video in standard formats (MP4, MOV) optimized for your intended use, web, presentations, trade shows, or social media. Still images are provided as PNG or JPEG.
How many revision rounds are included?
Revisions during Alpha and Beta phases are included in your quote. The number of rounds depends on project complexity and feedback scope. We'll discuss this during the initial consultation.
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Let's Create Your Medical Animation

Our proven process ensures accuracy, efficiency, and exceptional results

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