Wonder Studio’s New AI, Video-To-3D Animation, Puts The Power Of Pixar In Your Phone

Wonder Dynamics, the AI-driven animation, CGI, and VFX tech company recently acquired by Autodesk, launced Wonder Animation on October 30th. The new tool brings advanced 3D animation capabilities to filmmakers of all skill levels by turning regular video footage into fully editable 3D scenes. The company’s co-founder, Nikola Todorovic, believes this approach could reshape 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,” said Todorovic in a recent interview. “Our technology lets creators work with fewer resources but still get quality results.”

Wonder Animation’s “Video to 3D Scene” technology uses artificial intelligence to analyze video shot from any camera. It then constructs a 3D version of the scene, complete with animated characters, background elements, and lighting data. Traditionally, achieving this level of detail would require multiple tools, a crew, and a sizable budget. But with Wonder Animation, filmmakers can use a single video to create a 3D scene they can later adjust or enhance within industry-standard software like Maya or Unreal Engine.

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

The tech can recognize different shot types—close-ups, wide shots, and even action scenes. If a filmmaker shoots a scene with multiple camera angles, Wonder Animation can detect how the cameras relate to 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’ve been exploring animation to bring stories to life that would otherwise be impossible with limited resources.” Says Director and AI Educator at Mermaid Toast, Ellenor Argyopoulous. “Proof-of-concept films can be expensive, but tools like Wonder Animation can be life changing. They make it possible to articulate our visions affordably, empowering filmmakers like me to dream bigger and push creative boundaries that once felt out of reach.”

Before this release, Wonder Dynamics was known for its Wonder Studio platform, which is focused on integrating CGI characters into live-action footage. Todorovic says the company’s goal is to empower creators by offering a tool that simplifies, rather than automates, the filmmaking process. “There’s a misconception that AI is a ‘one-click solution,’” he said. “But that’s not our philosophy. We want artists to keep control. We’re not just handing over automated outputs—we’re providing a way for artists to shape their vision with fewer limitations.”

Allthough Wonder Animation is easy to use and thus serve a wide range of users, Todorovic explained that their clients fall into three main groups: film, television, and animation studios; gaming companies; and ad agencies. For smaller creators, the technology could mean the difference between shelving an ambitious project or making it happen on a limited budget.

Wonder Dynamics was co-founded by Tye Sheridan, who starred in the movie Ready Player One. In fact, director Steven Spielberg was on the advisory board with director Joe Russo before the Autodesk acquisition. According to Todorovic, joining forces with Autodesk has allowed the company to stay true to its startup spirit and cinematic roots while benefiting from the resources and reach of a larger entity.

For Todorovic, the mission behind Wonder Dynamics is personal. Coming from a visual effects background, he understands the challenges artists face in balancing creativity with limited resources. Originally from Bosnia, he 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, which is a browser-based subscription product, with pricing tiers that start as low as $19 per month for individual creators and scale up to $100 or more for professionals. Enterprise customers, including major film studios, use the platform’s advanced capabilities to streamline their production pipelines.