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Modernized Legacy Tool for Visual Effects Studio

Services Covered:

Custom Software Development
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Industry
Industry

Arts, Entertainment & Recreation

Duration
Duration

1 month

Budget
Budget

10K - 49K

Start Date
Start Date

1 July 2017

Team Size
Team Size

1-5

Engagement Model
Engagement Model

Offshore

Project Capability Score (PCS)

gauge meter
71/100
Good

Project Capability Score (PCS) estimates how capable STX Next is of successfully delivering a project like this, based on its past experience, track record, and ability to handle similar work. Learn more about PCS

Client

Pixomondo

mapLos Angeles, United States of America

Project Summary

STX Next modernized a proprietary, legacy command-line tool for a global visual-effects studio by developing a PySide-based desktop UI and recoding and extending functionality in Python. They designed a flexible, plugin-based architecture and conducted extensive user testing during a short, five-week outsourcing engagement. The client reported improved usability, reuse of the architecture across projects, and time savings when using the new tool.

Key Challenges

  • Small internal team (5–10 developers) with limited bandwidth
  • Need for experienced Python developers to build a proprietary tool
  • Requirement for a highly flexible, plugin-based architecture tailored to visual-effects workflows
  • First experience with outsourcing, necessitating a reliable partner

Project Deliverables

  • UI built with PySide (desktop application)
  • Proprietary tool written in Python
  • Plugin-based (extensible) architecture
  • Recoded existing functionalities and added new features
  • Extensive user testing

Project Solution

STX Next rebuilt and extended a proprietary in-house tool by recoding existing functionality and adding new features in Python. They implemented a PySide-based desktop UI tailored to the client's visual-effects requirements and designed a plugin-based, flexible architecture. The vendor proposed architectural improvements, performed extensive user testing, and delivered the work through a small, three-person team during a five-week engagement.

Project Outcome

  • Improved user experience compared with the previous command-line interface
  • Flexible plugin-based architecture that enabled extended functionality and reuse
  • Tool used across multiple high-level shows and locations (Los Angeles, Toronto, Frankfurt)
  • Significant time savings for the client and extraction of architecture into reusable libraries

Platforms

  • DesktopDesktop

Tech Stack

  • PythonPython

Client Endorsement

Overall Review Rating

4star

Timeliness

Cost Rating

Willing to Refer

Quality of Deliverables

“The plug-in system is extensible in terms of functionalities, making for a highly useful and profitable tool. STX Next communicated well despite unclear requirements at times, and they worked efficiently in collaboration through an outsourced model. Overall, they left a favorable impression.”

Sebastian Kral

Global Head of Pipeline

Note: This endorsement is based on publicly available client feedback from external review sources.

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