Vantage's rendering speed ensures RenderAtelier gets fast approval and meets tight deadlines on TESVOLT's gigafactory project

Find out how RenderAtelier employed Vantage to create an animation for the TESVOLT gigafactory project, meeting deadlines thanks to swift rendering speeds.

Summary:

• RenderAtelier, a Berlin, Germany-based visualization company, was established in 2011.
• The company was commissioned to create an animation for TESVOLT’s gigafactory, which will produce stationary battery storage systems.
• Alongside its regular workflow using 3ds Max and Corona, RenderAtelier took the opportunity to use Vantage—its first in-depth experience with the tool.
• With a tight deadline, Vantage enabled the team to create quick previews, secure fast storyboard approval, and meet the one-month deadline.

In 2011, Dimitri Klein founded RenderAtelier.net to bridge the gap between architectural design and visual storytelling. Since then, the company has grown into a team of 10 professionals working on projects that have won numerous competitions and awards for a client base across Germany and Europe.

When it comes to project selection, Dimitri proudly states, “There are no impossible tasks for us.” He explains that their close collaboration with architects from the early stages of a project allows them to create compelling images and animations for marketing campaigns.

After being tasked with visualizing TESVOLT’s gigafactory, RenderAtelier saw an opportunity to integrate Vantage into its regular 3ds Max and Corona workflow. Using Vantage allowed the team to generate quick previews and secure quick approval on the storyboard, ensuring they could meet their tight one-month deadline.

The pressure is on: creating an animation in just one month

TESVOLT develops sustainable energy solutions, producing lithium battery storage systems that enable businesses, industries, and renewable energy projects to store electricity from solar panels or wind turbines for later use. Whether on farms, in factories, or at EV charging stations, TESVOLT's efficient and eco-friendly systems are making a significant positive impact. 

To manufacture these systems, TESVOLT is building a gigafactory in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany, which will run entirely on renewable energy. This state-of-the-art facility will allow TESVOLT to scale production while remaining committed to sustainability. To showcase the gigafactory’s potential, RenderAtelier was commissioned to create compelling images and, later, an animation of the facility. The company planned to use these assets to attract investors and spark public discussion on the importance of green energy. However, as Dimitri explains, there was a major challenge: "The deadline was one month from the creation of the storyboard to the final result."

Although RenderAtelier thrives on challenges, this was a particularly tight deadline. So, they opted to use Vantage as their primary animation engine to ensure they could complete the project on time and to their client's specifications.

Using Vantage to iterate and execute quickly

Once the challenge was set, RenderAtelier quickly got to work using its standard workflow using 3ds Max and Corona. "First, we created still frames: one exterior, two bird's eye views, and one interior," Dimitri explains. After delivering the initial visuals to their client, they requested an animation. The team then developed a storyboard to ensure all the necessary scenes and angles were covered. "We divided the animation into a beginning, middle, and end and found inspiring ideas for each part," says Dimitri. "We also selected visual references for the fly-throughs."

With such a tight schedule, fast client approvals were critical. This is where Vantage became a game-changer. "We used the convenient Gray Render mode to create quick previews for storyboard approval," Dimitri shares. The result was clear to the client, and we quickly agreed on this stage." 

After just two iterations, RenderAtelier and the client finalized the direction of the animation. From there, the team spent several weeks refining the project while their sound designer created music for the animation. Vantage proved to be a crucial asset, particularly for lighting adjustments. "The most convenient feature is saving the scene state. It turned out to be really convenient and simplified the process of setting up and agreeing on the lighting," Dimitri explains. "We also noted the convenience of creating masks and managing HDRI from Vantage."

Delivering a high-impact animation on time

Throughout the project, RenderAtelier found that Vantage’s real-time rendering speed and intuitive interface significantly streamlined their workflow. Ultimately, the team met their deadline and delivered an engaging, high-quality animation for TESVOLT—one that effectively showcased the gigafactory’s vision to investors and the public.

With a workflow that often requires iterating on multiple ideas before landing on the best one, RenderAtelier places high value on tools that enable speed and flexibility. As Dimitri explains, "The most important thing is speed. With Vantage, it was fast and easy."

Now, having completed their first in-depth experience with Vantage, the team was left thoroughly impressed," says Dimitri. "Vantage's seamless integration with 3ds Max and exceptional rendering speed made it the optimal choice for our animation needs," Dimitri concludes.

Discover more of RenderAtelier’s projects on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Behance.