Wonder Studio's new AI, video-to-3D animation, brings the power of Pixar to your phone

Wonder Dynamics, the AI-driven animation, CGI and VFX technology company recently acquired by Autodesk, launched Wonder Animation on October 30. The new tool offers filmmakers of all skill levels advanced 3D animation capabilities by converting regular video footage into fully editable 3D scenes. The company's co-founder, Nikola Todorovic, believes this approach could transform animation by making high-quality visual effects more accessible and flexible. “We wanted to break down the barriers between ideas and what filmmakers can actually create,” Todorovic said in a recent interview. “Our technology allows developers to work with fewer resources and still achieve high quality results.”

Wonder Animation's Video to 3D Scene technology uses artificial intelligence to analyze videos captured by each camera. A 3D version of the scene is then created, complete with animated characters, background elements and lighting data. Traditionally, achieving this level of detail would require multiple tools, a team, and a significant budget. But with Wonder Animation, filmmakers can create a 3D scene from a single video that they can later customize or enhance in industry-standard software like Maya or Unreal Engine.

When describing how the technology works, Todorovic explained: “We use over 25 different AI models to analyze the video, from understanding body movements to light sources and camera positioning. This allows us to translate a 2D video into 3D space and capture every detail of the original footage.”

The technician can recognize different types of shots – close-ups, wide shots and even action scenes. When a filmmaker shoots a scene from multiple camera angles, Wonder Animation can see how the cameras affect the characters and settings. It then recreates all of this as 3D data, making it easier for artists to go back, edit and experiment.

“As an independent filmmaker, I have dabbled in animation to bring stories to life that would otherwise be impossible with limited resources.” Ellenor Argyopoulous, director and AI instructor at Mermaid Toast, says: “Proof-of-concept films can can be expensive, but tools like Wonder Animation can be life-changing and push creative boundaries that once seemed unattainable.”

Prior to this release, Wonder Dynamics was known for its Wonder Studio platform, which focuses on integrating CGI characters into live-action footage. Todorovic says the company's goal is to empower filmmakers by offering a tool that simplifies, rather than automates, the filmmaking process. “There is a misconception that AI is a 'one-click solution,'” he said. “But that is not our philosophy. We want the artists to remain in control. We don’t just deliver automated output – we give artists the ability to create their vision without limitations.”

Although Wonder Animation is easy to use and therefore caters to a wide range of users, Todorovic explains that their customers fall into three main groups: film, television and animation studios; gambling companies; and advertising agencies. For smaller developers, the technology could mean the difference between putting an ambitious project on hold or implementing it on a limited budget.

Wonder Dynamics was co-founded by Tye Sheridan, who starred in the film Ready, player one. In fact, before the Autodesk acquisition, director Steven Spielberg served on the advisory board along with director Joe Russo. According to Todorovic, working with Autodesk allowed the company to stay true to its startup spirit and cinematic roots while benefiting from the resources and reach of a larger company.

For Todorovic, the mission behind Wonder Dynamics is personal. With his experience in the visual effects field, he understands the challenges artists face when balancing creativity with limited resources. The Bosnian native sees Wonder Animation as a way to lower the barriers for storytellers.

The new Wonder Animation tool will be available as part of Wonder Studio, a browser-based subscription product with pricing tiers starting as low as $19 per month for individual developers and rising to $100 or more for professionals. Enterprise customers, including major film studios, are leveraging the platform's advanced features to streamline their production pipelines.