3D Design & Engineering

Hot Buttered Elves is a product development team consisting of projects managers that nurture your product through the process. Our digital integration allows us to work in all sizes, and in all programs. Our prototyping is a function of 3D modeling, hands-on modeling, engineering, and special effects. In the pictures above, you will see variations of these products.

We manage your projects to coordinate timely delivery at cost. Our creative teams consists of production managers that supervise the project from initiation to delivery. Our in-house facilities are more than enough to handle most projects, and we have a network of outsources to accommodate larger projects.

Our hand sculpting division is on par with the best in the nation. Our artists are known for capturing life-like detail, perfect 2D to 3D character matching, and we guarantee the approval of licensed characters. While most of the character sculpting is handled digitally, understanding how to clean the characters after they are printed or carved out of foam is very important. You don’t want to lose detail. Addition of electronics and moving parts requires reassembly with knowledge of character integrity. We also hand-sculpt for small production runs and premiums, breadboard models, pantograph models, character turn-around models and perfect paint models. The Elves are capable of sculpting in all sizes.

When larger sculpts or products are required, our digital process allows us to take the 3D modeled characters in the STL format, and use them to carve any size object out of foam using a CNC method. We will cut the character into smaller parts, and then CNC these pieces out of foam, and re-assemble. Once these parts are organized correctly, we will apply different hard coatings so that they can be used in commercial locations. Paint and finishings are UV stable, non-toxic, and very durable. Molds can then be made for further reproductions.