CASE STUDIES
Laser Scanning, Photogrammetry & 3D Modelling for BBC News General Election Coverage 2024
The BBC News Design team oversees all virtual reality, augmented reality and real-time graphics for the BBC News. Having worked on projects for the team previously, the 3D department at SUMO was asked to produce a 3D model of BBC News Studio B, to enable the motion design team at the BBC, to pre-visualise and design augmented reality features and virtual productions in the studio space.
Following our successful collaboration with the BBC News Design Team, SUMO was commissioned to carry out detailed surveys of several iconic UK locations for the BBC’s 2024 General Election coverage. The data we collected supported both Virtual Production and Projection Mapping workflows, enabling accurate and visually compelling broadcast environments.
Surveyed sites included:
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No.10 Downing Street – the official residence of the UK Prime Minister
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The House of Commons Chamber at the Palace of Westminster
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BBC Broadcasting House, London
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BBC Cymru Wales’ New Broadcasting House, Cardiff
Virtual Production at BBC News Studio B and BBC Cymru Wales, Cardiff.
Our laser scanning, photogrammetry, and 3D modelling services enabled the BBC News Design Team to deliver an immersive storytelling experience — seamlessly blending physical sets, virtual environments, augmented reality graphics, and projection mapping for their 2024 UK General Election coverage.
SUMO’s 3D model of Downing Street featured prominently during the crucial Exit Poll results segment.
Above : SUMO’s 3D model of Downing Street used as an augmented reality set extension during the Exit Poll results inside BBC News Studio B. (Image courtesy of BBC News Design Team).
Above : 'Cat Scan’ - SUMO Surveyor Cat Purcel laser scanning the façade of No.10 Downing Street, observed by Larry the Cat.
In addition to laser scanning at each location, we also conducted photogrammetry for both daytime and nighttime versions of Downing Street, as well as for the House of Commons Chamber. The laser scan and photogrammetry data were merged into a seamless dataset consisting of several hundred million polygons. Our 3D team used this to create optimised, real-time-ready 3D models with high-quality textures derived from the photogrammetry.
Above : Jeremy Vine presents the election forecast inside SUMO’s 3D model of the House of Commons Chamber, at BBC Cymru Wales.
(Image courtesy of BBC News Design Team).
On election night at BBC Cymru Wales’ New Broadcasting House, the BBC News Design Team used GhostFrame Technology - combining chroma keying, XR virtual production on an LED stage, and frame-multiplexing - to display different images to multiple cameras while giving Jeremy Vine a dedicated presenter view. This allowed him to interact in real time with the augmented environments and graphics.
Above : SUMO laser scanning at BBC Cymru Wales New Broadcasting House.
Above : SUMO 3D model of BBC Cymru Wales New Broadcasting House.
Above : Jeremy Vine presents the election results while walking along SUMO’s 3D model of Downing Street, at BBC Cymru Wales.
(Image courtesy of BBC News Design Team).
The BBC reported that 8 out of 10 UK adults turned to its coverage for the 2024 election results, and 1.9 million accounts accessed election video content via BBC iPlayer and BBC News online overnight.
Above : SUMO’s 3D model of Downing Street used as an augmented reality set extension in BBC News Studio B.
(Image courtesy of BBC News Design Team).
Above : SUMO’s 3D model of the House of Commons Chamber used as an augmented reality set extension in BBC News Studio B.
(Image courtesy of BBC News Design Team).
Projection Mapping at BBC Broadcasting House, London
The BBC News Design Team requested that SUMO produce a flattened (squared-off) 3D model of the curved façade of BBC Broadcasting House for projection of the Exit Poll results. To achieve this, we first modelled the façade accurately with its natural curvature, then unfolded it to create a flattened version suitable for projection alignment.
Above : SUMO 3D model of BBC Broadcasting House — shown with and without curvature.
Above : SUMO’s 3D model of BBC Broadcasting House was used for projection mapping the Exit Poll results.
(Image courtesy of BBC News Design Team).
Recognition
The BBC News Design Team’s UK General Election coverage was shortlisted in the 2024 Broadcast Tech Innovation Awards for Best Use of Graphics. SUMO is proud to have supported their team and looks forward to continuing our successful partnership.
Get in Touch
If you’d like to discuss how SUMO’s services can support your project — whether in broadcast, virtual production, projection mapping, or 3D modelling — please get in touch.
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