Provalis - In2it diabetic blood analyser interactive operational guide.
This diabetic test device was supplied from a SolidWorks model from DCA Design International Ltd. From here it was converted so that photo-realistic images and animations could be created. Animating LCD screens and blood samples being taken from a human hand wasn't possible using SolidWorks.
All lighting, texturing and animations were created and approved remotely, via e-mail. This formed part of a DVD marketing tool and as an animated 'user-guide' instructional CD that is shipped with the device. With healthcare products relating to diabetes, it is important the instructions are clear and concise. Working to a strict story board, the animation shows the unit's operation and test procedures step by step. The whole presentation was provided via FTP for the video editors. Timing the animations to fit the story-board and correspond with the actual product's operation was also crucial.
In2it blood analyser cartridge insertion
Shot of the unit animating the drawer opening and insertion of the test cartridge.
For the animation, I was able to supply the output in such a way that the whole thing could be composited onto any background. The sequences had to be set up so that the same animation could be output as anamorphic DVD frame size and rate, as well as a CD and Web-compatible format.
Using a small 'render farm', each animation frame can be processed by an individual machine - one of a small number of computers working together on a network. This allows for small alterations and re-renders to be made without re-rendering whole sections, which is cost-effective for the client. This also means the highest image quality is available for outputting in different formats.
In2it blood analyser - cartridge and package holder
This clear plastic cartridge is the main test chamber for the diabetic device.
As with the test device, the cartridge was also supplied as a 3D CAD solid model from SolidWorks. I was able to take the initial prototype design and covert it to enable me to produce the animations (even though the final model version wasn't approved.) Once the final product design had been signed off for manufacture, I was able to simply drop the new model into all the set-up animations with very little effort. This enabled the client to approve the work while the product was still in development.
Taking blood sample -
Blood key takes drop of blood from finger. Image from the animation sequence showing how to take a blood sample.
Calibrating with test control -
Blood key takes drop of control test liquid from tray. In order to calibrate the unit and ensure accuracy it is important to use a control liquid to test the machine is operating normally.
In2it blood key and cartridge
The blood is held within the tip of the key by capillary action.
When the key is inserted into the cartridge it pierces a piece of foil and mixes with a liquid test solution. The key grip is then twisted and snapped off before the cartridge is inserted into the test device for analysis.
A crucial element to a correct blood test procedure, this information had to be clear for all users of the product to understand.
In2it keypad graphics
The keyboard is another peripheral device which attaches to the analyser unit.
This keypad was created from an actual existing product which had to be made in 3D. The keypad supplied was not the final version, so we were asked to present using the same plastic material as the main unit. We were also able to show the keypad with different logos, branding and keypad numerics to aid the product branding team.
In2it bar-code scanner
As with the keypad above,
I was only supplied with an existing product of
the scanner, which wasn't the final production model.
Slight variations to the cable and colour were made,
along with placement of company logo, to make sure
it was as close as possible to the final product.
In2it thermal printer
As with the other bought in products,
this was a slight variation of an existing real-world object
created in 3D and then branded to match the client's
final production item. This helped the client decide
which colours to use for the different plastic components.
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