How To Generate GIFs from 3D Models with Python

Complete Tutorial to Automate 3D Data Visualization. Use Python to convert point clouds and 3D models into GIFs & MP4s for easy sharing and collaboration The post How To Generate GIFs from 3D Models with Python appeared first on Towards Data Science.

Feb 24, 2025 - 22:29

How To Generate GIFs from 3D Models with Python

As a data scientist, you know that effectively communicating your insights is as important as the insights themselves.

But how do you communicate over 3D data?

I can bet most of us have been there: you spend days, weeks, maybe even months meticulously collecting and processing 3D data. Then comes the moment to share your findings, whether it’s with clients, colleagues, or the broader scientific community. You throw together a few static screenshots, but they just don’t capture the essence of your work. The subtle details, the spatial relationships, the sheer scale of the data—it all gets lost in translation.

Comparing 3D Data Communication Methods. © F. Poux

Or maybe you’ve tried using specialized 3D visualization software. But when your client uses it, they struggle with clunky interfaces, steep learning curves, and restrictive licensing.

What should be a smooth, intuitive process becomes a frustrating exercise in technical acrobatics. It’s an all-too-common scenario: the brilliance of your 3D data is trapped behind a wall of technical barriers.

This highlights a common issue: the need to create shareable content that can be opened by anyone, i.e., that does not demand specific 3D data science skills.

Think about it: what is the most used way to share visual information? Images.

But how can we convey the 3D information from a simple 2D image?

Well, let us use “first principle thinking”: let us create shareable content stacking multiple 2D views, such as GIFs or MP4s, from raw point clouds.

This process is critical for presentations, reports, and general communication. But generating GIFs and MP4s from 3D data can be complex and time-consuming. I’ve often found myself wrestling with the challenge of quickly generating rotating GIF or MP4 files from a 3D point cloud, a task that seemed simple enough but often spiraled into a time-consuming ordeal.

Current workflows might lack efficiency and ease of use, and a streamlined process can save time and improve data presentation.

Let me share a solution that involves leveraging Python and specific libraries to automate the creation of GIFs and MP4s from point clouds (or any 3D dataset such as a mesh or a CAD model).

Think about it. You’ve spent hours meticulously collecting and processing this 3D data. Now, you need to present it in a compelling way for a presentation or a report. But how can we be sure it can be integrated into a SaaS solution where it is triggered on upload? You try to create a dynamic visualization to showcase a critical feature or insight, and yet you’re stuck manually capturing frames and stitching them together. How can we automate this process to seamlessly integrate it into your existing systems?

An example of a GIF generated with the methodology. © F. Poux

If you are new to my (3D) writing world, welcome! We are going on an exciting adventure that will allow you to master an essential 3D Python skill. Before diving, I like to establish a clear scenario, the mission brief.
Once the scene is laid out, we embark on the Python journey. Everything is given. You will see Tips ( Read More