Blog – STEVEN VAN DE STAAK – VIDEO 3D PHOTOGRAPHY COPY

SAP Vision video – VR Hand prop production

8th May 2026 by Steven

For a company vision video of SAP Software solutions, we’ve created a hand module showing the tracking of hand movements in a physical space. The director (Arjen Schotel) wanted to have a futuristic looking hand part that could fit multiple stiff tubes.

The biggest challenge around this part was a custom fitting for the actor. As we weren’t able to do a custom 3D-scan, it had to fit perfectly on the spot. For this reason we used plain PLA to print the part. The big benefit of this material is that it starts to get soft around 60 degrees °C. The part was printed flat, heated and shaped around the hand of the user for a custom fit. Initially I used my own hand as a reference. On the set, the part was still adjustable with the use of a simple hairdrier or some warm water. However, the initial fit was perfect for the job.

See full video (Arjen Schotel website)

Why sharing your success story is important

8th May 20261st April 2026 by Steven

How we work changes all the time. Whether you work in manufacturing, a medical facility, or product development. Sharing innovation and optimizations is important, and has many great benefits. At STMEDIA, these are the kind of stories we love to visualize. Here’s why.

When you think of innovation, you might think of new technologies or new products. But even the smallest change in a process can have huge impact. For example:

Breakthrough in research and development
Introduction of a new machine/technology
Introduction of new software
Opening of new work facilities
Insourcing work
Introduction of a new team, or people with new skills/responsibilities
Introduction of a new (optimized) part used in equipment
Change of process/workflow

And the list goes on. Any type of change can bring success, and can have benefits to share with others.

Many people are modest and feel their achievements are just “part of their job”. And while sharing these stories might feel like tapping yourself on the shoulder, there actually is a very beneficial practical side to it. The first thing you have to decide is if you want to share your story internally, or also externally. This depends mostly on confidentiality and business goals.

(Intranet, internal newsletters, meetings)

Acknowledgement of people involved
Awareness of significance of efforts/investments
Inspiration for other teams to innovate
Awareness of other teams to adjust collaboration
Connecting to unaware relevant teams/people
Increase workplace pride

(Website, Youtube, Linkedin, Instagram, Facebook, blogs, magazines, conferences)

Acknowledgement of people involved
Increase brand awareness
Increase brand image
Attract new talent
Attract new business partners
Increase workplace pride

While there are many benefits, it’s also important to turn the question around. What happens if you don’t share your story? Will other teams miss crucial information? Will decision makers not be aware why resources for your team are essential? Sharing progress is not just “shining”, but a powerful way of informing and inspiring colleagues.

A proven story formula

While no story is the same, usually we start with the same framework. On top of these points, we can ask what else is relevant. When we have all this information, we create a plan of what should be in the main video, and what is supplementary information that can be told in an additional article, or even small additional videos.

Introduction of company, team, people
The challenge to overcome
What has been done
What was the result/effect
Way forward, end quote

Keeping it human, not just numbers

We like to share the human side of the story as well. How did the challenge affect the employees? And how did the result make employees feel? How does the customer notice these changes? Adding the human side turns a business case into a story we can relate to. Not just sharing facts to convince, but also sharing feelings to inspire.

Some examples

Ultimaker – Lifting an armored vehicle using a 3D printed hook

Trivium: Replacing metal parts using 3D printing

Royal Netherlands Navy: On-Demand spare parts anywhere

InMotion: Turning a LeMans LMP3 car electric

Tell your story

Questions, or curious if a success story is right for you? Let’s have a chat.

Author:
Steven van de Staak

Fixturemate 3D fixture design generator

Meike Cine FF 105mm lens Sony E-mount to Canon EF

Ultimaker PVA Removal Station Commercial

Ultimaker – Lifting an armored vehicle using a 3D printed hook

Blackmagic Pocket HD OG Veluwe Test

DJI Mic 2 1/4″ to magnetic mount

10th February 20265th February 2026 by Steven

DJI’s Mic 2 is an incredible kit for video production. The tiny wireless microphone can record clean 32-bit float audio stand-alone, or send audio directly to a camera or phone. It’s designed to be worn on clothing. It’s so good that it can even be used as a traditional microphone—though you’ll need to mount it on a tripod or arm.

Custom 3D printed mount

While mounts are available, I wanted to design a part specifically for testing. Most existing designs use a clip to snap the microphone into place, which feels like a missed opportunity—especially since the microphone already comes with a magnet. That’s why I designed a custom part.

The block I designed in roughly 15 minutes includes a cavity for the microphone’s magnet, allowing it to snap neatly into place. To connect the block to the standard 1/4″ thread used on tripods or magic arms, I used a brass insert. After printing the block, you simply place the insert over a slightly undersized hole and gently press it in using a hot soldering iron. The heated brass insert melts its way into position. Once everything cools down, the result is a solid, permanently bonded part.

Final design and benefits

The final mount costs less than €0.50 to produce and prints in roughly half an hour. More importantly, it allows me to place mounts exactly where I want to use the DJI Mic 2 on a regular, temporary basis. In my studio, I can hang two slightly above my desk for a podcast setup. They can also be mounted on tabletop tripods for on-the-move podcasting.

In the end, this part saved me a full day of delivery time and roughly €40. On top of that, it’s actually more practical than the commercially available options.

Download the design for free

Got a 3D printer and a need for this part? Download the STL file for free and let me know how it turned out.

Download design

Author:
Steven van de Staak

Ultimaker – CC Printcore introduction

Royal Netherlands Navy: On-Demand spare parts anywhere

Ultimaker – Application presentations

Trinckle: explaining fixturemate’s essentials

Blackmagic Pocket HD OG Veluwe Test

Vestingmolen Bourtange

29th January 202629th January 2026 by Steven

If you have the chance to visit Bourtagne, be sure to take this chance. The small and old fortified town is an absolute jewel in the far North-East of the Netherlands. The town probably has more defensive structures than actual houses, and its old style make it incredible to walk through.

As someone who loves technology, I was mesmerized by the old mill. In the Netherlands, mills are used for various applications. Many are known for pumping water out of area’s, but this was used to turn grain into flower. Today, the mill is still maintained and can be enjoyed in full working order.

During my visit to this pitoresque town, I brought my Blackmagic Pocket OG. This cinema-camera is was released in 2013 – and feels like from the same area the mill was built. But while this tiny camera only delivers HD video quality, it’s colors are truly beautiful. I installed a tiny portable microphone on top, which I wanted to test. So, I asked the miller if he’d have a minute to tell something about the mill, and he did. So without further ado, enjoy the result of this little test.

Author:
Steven van de Staak

2mm screwdriver is needed
T6 Torx tool is needed
Align new EF metal piece that has a hole on the bottom with the white dot on the bottom of the lens
Actual EF mount has a red dot, look in my video how to align it.
Use shims when focus is slightly off (set lens 1m from object, set focus on 1m, check if accurate)

Good luck!