How a CGI studio manages 3D projects using the if.team ERP system

In a world of rapidly evolving technology, 3D worlds may seem like a thing of the past. However, we continue to be amazed by the work of CG artists, 3D visualisers and designers who are able to create such realistic architectural objects that are not even in the project yet.

But as wondrous as architectural visualisation may be, it is still about the tangible – careful planning, clear organisation and well-coordinated teamwork. A modern ERP solution helps the artists and designers at the GENENSE CGI studio. Before a new 3D world is created, the manager creates a new project in the if.team system. Want to know what’s next? Then read about the digitisation and modern management of a CGI studio in our business case.

About the GENENSE

Niche: Architectural visualisation and 3D rendering

Company size: 9 people

Time of using if.team: 3 months

GENENSE is a studio that specialises in the 3D visualisation of architectural objects and interior design, or CGI (computer-generated imagery). In reality, however, the ‘computer-generated images’ are created by a talented team of designers, and these processes are managed by the studio’s project managers. It is they who strike the balance between creativity and control over all aspects of the project. Over the 4 years that the studio has been in operation, the number of clients and projects has grown and it has become increasingly difficult to keep track of progress, deadlines and budgets. That’s when the management team expanded their 3D toolset and added an ERP solution for effective project management.

Functionality of the if.team ERP system with simple delivery by a CGI studio

For GENENSE, every project is a work of art that cannot be compromised. And we have to admit that the creative team had a lot of service requirements that are typical for the management of many CGI studios. However, by a happy coincidence, if.team actively works to meet the individual needs of user companies. And while the GENENSE designers embodied their clients’ ideas in three dimensions, the if.team development team successfully implemented 3 important functions.

File sharing for effective communication

Behind every project in the GENENSE wow portfolio is a titanic team effort: CG artists, designers, 3D modellers and video editors. And the quality of the final result, which is nothing less than wow, depends on how well the process is organised and how well everyone works together. The team achieves this effect using the shared if.team workspace, where you can assign and complete tasks: set priorities and deadlines, track time, progress and status, both in terms of the project and an individual iteration.

But for the CGI studio, the most important feature of the task management module is the real-time communication in comments: the ability to tag colleagues and reply to messages, share files and receive notifications about them: in a browser, email or messenger. As a result, the team has access to the latest information on the project at all times and from anywhere.

The file sharing function is key for a CGI studio, as it eliminates the need to search for project layouts in different places. 3D graphics files are usually very large, so the if.team has increased the system’s storage space for GENENSE. Designers can now share large files directly in task comments, not only with the team, but also with clients.

Setting up client access to the system

The process of creating high quality 3D visualizations involves many iterations, each of which requires client approval. As a result, the GENENSE team lacked a flexible project sharing management system to work efficiently. Thanks to if.team, the CGI studio was able to add clients to the ERP system quickly and easily.

It’s convenient that even with many clients, you only need to create a role once and configure the necessary access rights for them. This significantly saves time and allows you to assign roles with a ready-made set of permissions to access the system in one click, not only for clients but for any other involved parties.

For example, clients and stakeholders of the CGI studio GENENSE can not only track the progress of tasks and iterations, but also actively interact with the team in comments to provide timely feedback and approve 3D renderings at different stages of the project. The unified if.team workspace not only simplifies access to project information, but also facilitates the design approval cycle. Such communication between contractors and clients ensures a well-coordinated, transparent process and, inevitably, high quality results.

A task manager combined with if.team’s flexible access management increases a CGI studio’s competitiveness, team efficiency and customer loyalty. And in order to have more satisfied customers: from the first contact to the successful implementation of the project: it is important to manage leads properly.