AT: John W.C. Robinson
CINCINNATI, Ohio — In the amusement industry, theming and scenic design are essential. Park signage, ride scenes, special events, walkways and more all tend to need that special unique touch that helps visitors escape from everyday life and enjoy a day at the park. That is exactly why 3dx Scenic (3dx) of Cincinnati, Ohio, specializes in all of the above.
Originally existing as the scenic fabrication division of L!VE — a full-service production and AV rental company — 3dx has since expanded its offerings and evolved into its own entity. The company now provides custom scenic design options for campgrounds, theme parks, theatrical productions and promotional events.
“It really was an organic shift,” said Nate Thieme, 3dx’s VP of scenic experiences. “In the early 2000s, we were continuing to build more elaborate and large sets for live events. Many of the early employees came from the scenic fabrication division at Kings Island.
“We networked with our friends in the [amusement] industry to begin fabricating items outside of live events. In 2006 a more concentrated marketing effort outside of live corporate events was undertaken and we attended our first IAAPA Expo in Orlando in 2010.”
3dx believes in creating relevant experiences and giving rise to remarkable expressions. As such, its team of engineers, riggers, carpenters, welders, seamstresses and storytellers work together to create unique expressions for the company’s clientele. This rare collaboration between modern technologists, skilled tradespeople and creative artists help to creat scenic experiences that reflect and express unique and vivid imagery.
The company’s first foray into the amusement industry happened locally. “We had hired a shop manager who came from Kings Island early 2000,” explained Thieme. “He brought several projects along with him for the theaters within the park as well as some smaller scenic items.”
However, that local relationship has been maintained, with 3dx recently creating several parade floats for the popular Grand Carnivale event held at multiple Cedar Fair parks, including Kings Island. Unique among parade floats, 3dx creations are driven by a hidden vehicle rather than towed from in front of the float.
“Our parade float chassis are manufactured by Lawless Industries,” offered 3dx Senior Account Executive Mark Rosenzweig. “Lawless custom fabricates each chassis to meet the load demands for each float’s scenic elements.”
Cedar Fair reached out to 3dx even more recently to create parade floats for the Cedar Point‘s upcoming 150th birthday celebration. Originally planned for 2020 but delayed by the park as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 3dx’s creations will now debut in 2021. The massive floats were created at 3dx’s Cincinnati workshop, then dismantled and shipped to the park in Sandusky, Ohio.
“For the six parade floats we recently delivered to Cedar Point for their 150th Anniversary Parade, we had two team members on site for five days to assist and oversee a local crew from the park for the assembly and handoff to the client,” said Rosenzweig.
From conception to stunning completion, the creations from 3dx are realized via a mutlitude of in-house methods. Sculptors and carpenters create with their hands and old school tools. Large format printers tackle signage and other two-dimensional needs. One of 3dx’s most powerful tools is its 3D printing/scultping robot arm, a seven-axis CNC router. The robot uses digital design files to create whatever 3dx artists or their clients’ imaginations can dream. Plus, it aids in quickly reproducing identical scenic elements when needed.
“Once a 3D digital file is created, the robot does not deviate from that file and can cut exact copies repeatedly, much faster and more accurate than hand sculpting,” explained Rosenzweig.
3dx works to ensure that its designs are not just visually stunning, but also long-lasting and structurally sound.
“Our floats are designed and crafted to be as weather resistant as possible, however they are not sealed up and protected like a vehicle,” said Rosenzweig. “They are stored indoors when not being used in a performance and typically do not run in inclement weather. However, if a project is needed to be continuously outdoor year-round, additional efforts are taken to account for that.”
“For SeaWorld Parks and Attractions, 3dx has produced 30 parade floats that are featured in the Sesame Street Parades at SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Diego,” detailed Thieme. “The San Diego floats will be getting refurbished over the winter and moved down the road to the new Sesame Place park in Chula Vista, California, set to open in 2022.”
Innovation and imagination combine with talent, skills and technology at 3dx Scenic. The result allows for no boundaries in the future of amusement industry theming.
This article appears in the
DECEMBER 2020 issue
of Amusement Today.
View the entire issue for FREE with our digital edition!
