Volume 01
More than just 3D: Alex. in conversation with Christian Kuntze about the versatile possibilities of Ventuz.
Alex: Hello Christian, nice of you to take the time to answer my questions today. Could you briefly introduce yourself?
Christian: Of course! I'm Christian Kuntze and Head of Interactive Media at SIGMA System Audio Visuell. My team takes care of immersive experiences, exhibit construction, web integrations and interactive programming. We bring innovation and creativity together so that our customers get the best experiences for their projects.
Alex: Christian, Ventuz is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and I believe you've been using the software almost since the beginning. As a professional, I'd like to ask you about that. Ventuz is often seen as complicated and expensive and is considered a pure 3D tool. Is that really the case?
Christian: I've been working with Ventuz since 2006 and have realised projects of all types and sizes with it. From simple image carousels and interactive touch applications to really complex trade fair exhibits with database connections - the spectrum is huge.
But the important thing is that Ventuz is very quick to programme. I often use it to build an initial prototype, even for projects that may later be realised with other software.
Alex: Exciting! What distinguishes Ventuz from other visualisation programs?
Christian: A decisive advantage is the real-time visualisation. Ventuz makes it possible to edit and display content in real time. With traditional rendering programmes, you often have to wait hours or even days for an animation to finish rendering. With Ventuz, on the other hand, we can see changes live immediately, which is extremely valuable, especially in projects with tight deadlines. Ventuz is also designed to remain stable and performant even with complex requirements, which makes it ideal for large events and trade fairs.
Alex: That sounds ideal for live events. Can you give us an example from practice?
Christian: Sure, one example is our last project for the Düsseldorf Economic Development Agency at Expo Real in Munich. There we developed a trade fair loop for a 40 metre long LED strip with 200 images and logos running seamlessly through it. The animation was created directly in Ventuz. What is really impressive is that the content - i.e. images and text - was automatically loaded from an Excel file and a defined folder structure. Ventuz enables us to work particularly efficiently, even allowing dynamic updates during the event.
Alex: Impressive! Despite its performance, however, there are always those who find Ventuz complicated and expensive. How do you feel about that?
Christian: I often hear that. Ventuz certainly seems complex for beginners at first, and it's not the cheapest software on the market. But the learning curve quickly pays off. For companies that regularly work with visual content, the investment pays off, as Ventuz offers a high degree of flexibility and sustainability. Content can be created once and then easily maintained and updated via Excel, folder structures or even a web-based input mask - without any programming knowledge. Ventuz also offers options for different budgets with its different versions, from freelancers to large companies.
Alex: Which functions do you think are particularly valuable?
Christian: There are many! In addition to real-time visualisation, Ventuz offers outstanding integration capabilities. The software can be easily connected to other programmes, whether for data integration via SQL databases, for real-time data from Excel or for the integration of live feeds and social media content. There are also modules for interactive elements such as touchscreens and VR, which greatly expands the application possibilities. This versatility enables customised, immersive solutions for every project.
Alex: Wow, that opens up an incredible number of possibilities. Do you also offer some kind of introduction or overview so that interested parties can better understand Ventuz?
Christian: Absolutely. It's especially important for new customers to get a first impression of the features and possibilities. I like to invite interested parties to a coffee to talk about Ventuz in a relaxed atmosphere. You can then try out the software straight away and better understand the possibilities. If you don't have time for a face-to-face meeting, you can also get in touch with me online - either in the comments or by message.
Alex: What a great offer! Anything else you'd like to say at the end?
Christian: Gladly. I would like to emphasise that Ventuz can be scaled for any project, from small presentations to large interactive events. It's not just about technology, it's about making sure the content resonates with the audience and leaves a lasting impression. I look forward to every enquiry and to exciting projects that are yet to come. See you soon.
