Press release

ZEISS CinCraft Mapper – lens data for more efficient VFX workflows

With CinCraft Mapper, ZEISS Cinematography is introducing its first service of the new CinCraft ecosystem for the digital application of lens looks into the compositing and matchmoving workflows.
3 May 2022

Oberkochen, Germany | 3. May 2022 | ZEISS Consumer Products

With CinCraft Mapper, ZEISS presents a new digital service that quickly and easily provides frame-accurate lens distortion and shading data for the visual effects (VFX) industry. This data is essential for digital compositing and matchmoving in order to achieve a cinematic result that is as realistic and precise as possible.

“Normally, lens grids must be recorded and processed in order to obtain this data – a process that is not only very time-consuming, but also error-prone and limited in scope,” explains Jonathan Demuth, Product Manager, Digital Cinematography at ZEISS. “With just a few clicks, CinCraft Mapper now provides this data directly on the basis of the metadata (lens type, focus distance, aperture) captured during film production. Lost clip metadata can also be added without difficulty. For compositing and matchmoving artists, this means that they can be sure they are not only receiving accurate data without having to rely on the preceding capture and workflow procedures, but also that the entire VFX process will be simplified and accelerated. The VFX studio also benefits directly from the more efficient workflow,” continues Demuth.

Mapper is just the beginning for our CinCraft ecosystem. We are already looking forward to being able to offer even more services in the future, which will provide a broad range of aspects of lens looks for VFX and other applications.

Christophe Casenave Product Manager Digital Cinematography at ZEISS

Frame-accurate lens data for complex shots

ZEISS CinCraft Mapper delivers precise, frame-accurate lens data with which complex shots with multiple and dynamic focusing distances, such as car chases, can be edited more easily, quickly and completely, without the need to make assumptions due to incomplete data. “CinCraft Mapper expands on the ZEISS eXtended Data (XD) technology that we introduced with the ZEISS Compact Prime CP.3 and have subsequently integrated into each new cine lens family,” adds Christophe Casenave, responsible for Cinematography Products at ZEISS. “VFX artists no longer have to rely only on eXtended Data generated by lens and camera equipment on set. Now additional and historic lens family shading and distortion data can also be provided by the CinCraft Mapper service. At the same time, the service is also compatible with the existing XD technology.” CinCraft Mapper delivers industry standard ST Maps for distortion and Multiply Maps for shading. These can be used directly in compositing and matchmoving software such as Nuke, Flame, and 3DEqualizer.

Press photos

Further information and availability

You can now find further information about ZEISS CinCraft Mapper and the possibility of testing the service with a free start budget at cincraft.zeiss.com/mapper.

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology company in the optics and optoelectronics industry. The ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling around 11 billion euros in its four segments Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (updated: 30 September 2024).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces, and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for life sciences and materials research, as well as medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Industry 4.0 as well as a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping technological progress and, through its solutions, is extending the horizon of the world of optics and associated areas. ZEISS' significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 14% of its revenue in research and development work – ZEISS has a long tradition of high expenditure in these areas. This also represents the company's investment in the future.

With more than 46,555 employees, ZEISS operates in around 50 countries with more than 60 sales and service sites, 40 research and development sites and 35 production sites worldwide (as of 31 March 2025). The headquarters of the company, which was founded in Jena in 1846, is located in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of Germany’s largest foundations committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

About Photonics & Optics

ZEISS, a leading provider of optical and optoelectronic technologies, brings together business units outside of its segments in the strategic business urea of Photonics & Optics, based in Oberkochen and Jena. This area offers customers worldwide a wide range of optical and photonic technologies in highly specialized markets: Mobile Imaging, Hunting & Nature, Cinematography, Microoptics, Spectroscopy, Planetarium, and Simulation Projection Solutions. By bringing these various business areas together under one roof, ZEISS creates a home for these highly specialized businesses, allowing them to focus entirely on their technology and market development and the success of their customers.