FIN Design + Effects has once again proven its VFX prowess with their groundbreaking work on Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Building on their experience from the Knuckles series, a team of 110 artists delivered 310 shots over 12 months, crafting some of the film's most memorable sequences.

The project's scope was ambitious from the start. Much of the film takes place in fully CG environments, with FIN tackling complex challenges like the Thames-emerging Eclipse Cannon sequence and the visually striking Chaos Storm. The studio's technical expertise shone through their innovative use of GPU rendering and the RenderMan denoiser, allowing them to manage the extensive workload efficiently.

One of FIN's standout contributions was their work on Shadow's introduction sequence. This fan-favorite character's Prison Island escape demanded intricate fur simulations, wet fur effects, and dynamic wind interactions. Working closely with director Jeff Fowler, the team ensured every moment of Shadow's debut had maximum impact.

The studio's role expanded significantly throughout production, with their workload tripling in scope—making them the only vendor to experience such growth. Their contributions included designing new assets like nanotechnology-based creatures and creating fully digital environments to seamlessly integrate CG characters with the real world.

"This was a huge undertaking that required the expertise of our entire team," reflects FIN Head of Visual Effects Alastair Stephen. "From character animation to complex water and conceptual effects, every department played a crucial role in bringing this world to life. We're incredibly proud of what we've achieved."

‍