preVision Company – How it started
The first experiment with 3D rendering for one of Tom’s designs, 1994.
Tom Macie, President and Principal Model Designer
Served as Professor of Theatre Design and Production at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, from 1986 to 2004.
He received grant funding in 1994 to explore the possibility of making digital renderings of theatre set designs from computer-drafted plans. During this exploration, Tom tested various combinations of drawing, painting, CAD, and 3D modeling software products.
It quickly became apparent that it would be possible to combine all of these tools to make a photorealistic picture of a set design. At the time, various software packages were not designed to interact with one another. Photorealism was just emerging in 3D software development. An additional challenge was that many theatre designs were composed of abstract shapes, therefore, using software designed to make models conform to contemporary architectural forms would ultimately prove unsuccessful.
Finding the best combination of software programs to allow for precise previsualization was not an easy process. Tom was looking for the ideal blend of programs that would allow him to create a wide variety of shapes, exacting control of textures, a dynamic range of lighting control, and the ability to produce high-resolution images at any size.
After several years of experimentation with a variety of techniques and software combinations, Tom abandoned his hand drafting and watercolor perspectives in favor of 3D computer model renderings. He used these models to show theatre producers and directors an exact representation of his designs during the development process. One of the many advantages was that the models could be updated during the design process, allowing the production staff to efficiently explore variations of the design.
A 3D model used for design planning for the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre Production, Medea, designed by Tom Macie, 2003
Production photo of the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre Production, designed by Tom Macie, Medea, 2003
Tom’s ultimate goal was to integrate CAD and 3D modeling into the theatre design and production curriculum at UNC Wilmington as a classroom tool to aiding theatre design instructors. The administration at UNC Wilmington saw additional applications of these tools and commissioned Tom to help create 3D renderings for two grant proposals along with 3D visualization assignments for a number of on-campus projects. Two such initiatives involved grant proposals from the US Congress to seek funding for the Center for Marine Science Research at UNC Wilmington, for construction of a new marine mariculture center in Wilmington, North Carolina, and the rehabilitation of a coral reef research facility in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.
3D Conceptual image of the (then) proposed mariculture center at UNC Wilmington. Massing and building concept by Tom Macie, 2002
3D Conceptual image of the (then) proposed coral reef laboratory in Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands. This 3D model was made from hand-drafted plans combined with aerial photographs of the site. 2003
Next, Tom made several presentations of his interactive process at state, regional, and national theatre conferences. He eventually used it to design scenery and multimedia productions with professional opera and theatre companies who saw this as an accurate and cost-effective method of designing productions.
The gallery below is a small sampling of Tom’s 3D designs and production photographs.
Tom began to show his work to friends in the real estate and building industry. His first commercial commission was for the Bellamy Mansion Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina (with the working title for his new company, “Pixel Sharpeners”). The museum was embarking on a fundraiser for rebuilding the carriage house and slave quarters that once stood behind the mansion. Tom worked with then director Jonathan Noffke to prepare several images for inclusion in promotional materials.
3D model view of the Bellamy Mansion Carriage House Reconstruction fundraiser, 2003.
Now doing business as preVision Company, Tom and his team have created hundreds of 3D rendering and visualizations of future ventures representing hundreds of millions of dollars in investments. His team’s skills and tools are used for the same purpose, to help people understand the true physical nature of a project – before it exists.
