CMU School of Drama


Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Ubisoft Turns to 3D Printing to Create Futuristic Costumes in Just Dance 2023

3Dnatives: As mentioned, the coaches in Just Dance are known for their extravagant and beautiful costumes. But contrary to what you may believe, these cannot just be made on screen. In fact, in order to get the correct movements for the game, Ubisoft needs to have actual dancers perform the movements in front of a green screen.

3 comments:

Cyril Neff said...

Just Dance has always been a really innovative video game series when it comes to using technologies such as motion capture and virtual tracking mechanics, so it is absolutely no surprise that they have taken their character costuming a step further in motion-tracking. 3D printing as a modern technology is extremely useful for creating complex shapes and designs without the hassle it takes to create these materials by hand. Especially in design aesthetics, 3D printing can really come in handy when it comes to creating designs that fulfill certain characteristics of different time periods and other physicalities relating to different areas. Overall, 3D printing is a really innovative way of creating 3D costume pieces that are not fabric-based. As someone with experience in creating costumes using EVA foam, it is sometimes really complicated and time consuming to build costume pieces by hand, and 3D printing eliminates the complex creation process of making accessories.

John Alexander Farrell said...

Ubisoft's decision to incorporate 3D printing into its production process is a sign of its commitment to innovation and experimentation. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve and new technologies emerge, it is essential for companies to stay at the forefront of these changes and adapt to the shifting landscape.

The use of 3D printing also has implications beyond just the entertainment industry. It has the potential to revolutionize manufacturing and production processes across a wide range of industries, from medicine to architecture. As the technology becomes more accessible and affordable, we can expect to see even more creative and innovative uses of 3D printing in the years to come.

Ubisoft's use of 3D printing to create futuristic costumes for Just Dance 2023 is a fascinating example of how technology can be used to enhance and elevate the entertainment experience. It is a reminder of the importance of innovation and experimentation in the entertainment industry, and a glimpse into the exciting possibilities of 3D printing in the future.

Jordan Pincus said...


I adore Just Dance, as do many others. I played the very first one when it came out, and was addicted to it for a very long time. I think it is such a fun niche of design and choreography. Like, the costumes at this point are consistently wild, and sometimes there are things you can only physically do with 3D printing. When I went to the Broadway costume exhibit in New York, there was a display of beautifully intricate 3D printed headpieces. Everyone was saying that 3D printing really is the technique of the future, or in modern costume design for sure. It makes me want to talk about the specific requirements of dance costumes in general. As a big Dance Moms fan and a former competitive dancer, there are certain hallmarks of dance costumes that make the designs unique to this subgenre. Figure skating costumes also have to function very similarly. Bit confused at the mention of a “villain of Just Dance”? I haven’t played it in a while, and I don’t know what’s changed there…