Dreamwall software suite: agility & open source

In an increasingly interconnected production ecosystem, fluid exchange has become the sinews of war for animation studios. To meet these technical and human challenges, Dreamwall develops its own software suite. This approach aims to facilitate file sharing between artists, remote work, and production tracking, while simplifying client integration into our environment and creative processes. Faithful to an open-source philosophy, Dreamwall shares as many of its tools and code libraries as possible with the entire community. This commitment to transparency not only standardizes inter-studio exchanges but also actively contributes to the evolution of industry standards.

DwPicker: Ergonomics at the service of animators (Open Source)

Widely used across the industry, this animation picker for Autodesk Maya stands out for its accessibility, ergonomics, and functional richness. DwPicker is designed for both independent animators and large-scale animation studios. Its great flexibility allows for integration in varied contexts, and it is particularly optimized for collaborative work. By offering this tool as open source, we enable artists to handle complex rigs with increased efficiency, while providing studios with a solid base to customize their work interfaces according to the specific needs of each project. The tool simplifies character selection and control, allowing animators to focus on the essential: performance and movement.

Embarker: Review software developed in Python (Open Source)

Embarker is a video player dedicated to review. Compact yet powerful, it does not seek to revolutionize the field, but stands out as the first review software entirely developed in Python, featuring an open and particularly accessible API. It allows for simple or advanced customization, meeting the specific needs of studios and Technical Directors (TDs). Embarker scrupulously respects current industry standards, notably Python 3 and Qt. As we did on the 2D series project Sacré-Cœur, this tool covers the entire validation chain. It ensures that artistic feedback flows without technical friction, regardless of the pipeline used by co-production partners. Its open API allows for the automation of recurring review tasks, making the exchange of visual information smoother and less prone to interpretation errors.

Bongo: The nerve center of production tracking

While DwPicker and Embarker are open to the community, Bongo constitutes Dreamwall’s internal performance engine. It is a comprehensive production tracking software that centralizes all project management via its own database. Bongo allows for precise control over every aspect of manufacturing:

• Data Centralization: Management of tasks, users, shots, assets, casting, and time tracking.
• Traceability and Dependencies: It ensures rigorous tracking of produced files and their dependencies, guaranteeing total data integrity throughout the manufacturing chain.
• Web Architecture and Remote Work: Designed around a web server, Bongo allows access to files remotely, including on user machines outside the studio.

This architecture is fundamental to our vision of the modern studio. It facilitates remote work without resorting to screen sharing (remote desktop). We thus avoid the sub-quotas generated by lag and bandwidth limitations. This allows us to attract and collaborate with senior and middle profiles located across Wallonia, Belgium, or Europe, while offering them a stable and responsive work environment. Bongo offers direct integrations with leading CGI software on the market: Maya, Nuke, Guerilla, Rumba, Toon Boom Harmony, Photoshop, or Substance, while remaining open to future integrations thanks to its modular structure.

A proven collaboration methodology

Beyond tools, Dreamwall’s software suite carries a rigorous methodology to guarantee the success of 2D and 3D productions. For us, agility relies on standardized delivery and verification processes. This "pipeline intelligence" transforms an assembly of diverse technologies into a coherent and transparent suite for teams.

1. Standardization of Exchanges: Produced data is exchanged via a delivery system in dated folders, with content standardized for inter-studio exchange.
2. Automated Quality Control: A standalone compliance verification script is implemented by department (naming conventions, scene hierarchy).
3. Universal Formats: Partners use standardized formats like JSON, CSV, MOV, or MP4 for status updates and media.
4. Tracking Precision: For series, we prioritize a breakdown by sequence (episode -> sequences -> shots) rather than by global episode, ensuring the granularity essential for daily management.

This manufacturing workflow is systematically proven by a full technical test at least two months before production launch, thus guaranteeing pipeline integrity before the production rush.

Conclusion: Expertise at the service of creation

By developing this software suite and sharing part of its tools as open source, Dreamwall reaffirms its commitment: putting software engineering at the service of visual storytelling. Whether improving animator ergonomics in Maya or securing complex deliveries for our partners, our technology is the guarantor of our agility and technical excellence. The strength of our approach lies in the ability to simplify complex technical concepts for the benefit of the artist, ensuring that technology remains a lever for creation and not a constraint.

Technical Information: Find DwPicker and Embarker on our GitHub space to integrate them into your own workflows.