KHARICUT CANAL: 3D ANIMATION ON DRONE FOOTAGE

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) embarked on an ambitious project to revitalize the Kharicut Canal in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, with Phase 2 focusing on comprehensive development. This project aimed to address several key urban challenges, including traffic congestion, inadequate public spaces, and environmental degradation. The primary aim is to transform a neglected and often-overlooked urban space. The existing Kharicut Canal, in its current state, is a largely underutilized and often polluted area. By transforming this "dead" and "dirty" space into a functional and aesthetically pleasing multi-utility recreational corridor, the project seeks to enhance urban mobility, improve environmental quality, and create a vibrant public space for the citizens of Ahmedabad.

Multi Media Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (MMCPL), the project consultant with prior experience in the Phase 1 Development of the Kharicut Canal, was responsible for the structural design. The Urban Lab, as the urban planner, focused on designing a vibrant public space with a Green Zone, Food Zone, Vendors Zone, Multi Utility Zones, and Foot Over Bridge, transforming the canal into a thriving green corridor with recreational opportunities.

Our assignment was to create compelling 3D Visualizations, including an Animated Video and high-quality rendered Images, to effectively present the proposed development to the Commissioner and the honourable Chief Minister. This project posed unique challenges because we had to composite the 3D Model onto Drone Footage provided by MMCPL. The challenge was primarily in accurately tracking and compositing the 3D models onto challenging drone footage. The constant stabilization and centering of the drone within the canal's dynamic environment, coupled with the unknown drone footage specifications, significantly increased the complexity of the tracking process.

Furthermore, the project required attention to detail in matching the lighting of the 3D models to the existing lighting conditions captured in the drone footage. These accurate colour grading and lighting adjustments were crucial to ensure seamless and realistic integration of the 3D elements within the real-world environment.

Despite these challenges, we successfully delivered a captivating 5-minute video and high-resolution images without requiring any revisions or rework, highlighting the high level of expertise and carefulness throughout the project. The successful completion of this high-profile project, intended for direct presentation to the highest levels of government, further emphasizes our commitment to delivering exceptional results.