Sounds like there are a lot of good resources for this type of work – thanks to all that sent in recommendations. I’ve compiled them below roughly in order of applicability to my specific application and enthusiasm of endorsement.

--dm

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We do exactly this kind of thing, especially for electromechanical and pharmaceutical applications.

http://brodkeywillow.com/moviepages/Alza.htm

http://brodkeywillow.com/moviepages/Nanomuscle.htm

Also:

http://brodkeywillow.com/

click on "interactive" link - Echelon demos.

Thanks.

Justin Willow

Truc Designs Inc.

290 Division St.

Suite 401

San Francisco, CA 94103

http://www.brodkeywillow.com

415-613-9939

(ed. note: also got a recommendation from Chuck McCall for this one)

(edit Feb 09 - we went with Truc and were very satisfied with the result - high quality, high value)

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This is your man:

Kenneth Woodruff

Berkeley

415-505-5068

2D/3D animation and motion graphics

www.kennethwoodruff.com

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Infuse Medical in Salt Lake City is doing work for my company. They specialize in medical and are doing our animated surgical techniques. So far it has been excellent quality. http://www.infusemed.com

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Chuck Love (from the now defunct Converge Medical) put together a real slick animation of their implant that he always played for us. It was done by On Point Productions, 1535 Cabrillo St, SF, CA 94118. (415) 221-4400

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I have a good resource. His name is David Bottoms. He lives and works in San Francisco. I've worked with him in a number of different capacities over the years when I was doing interactive design. The only problem is that he's often busy. If you do contact him, you can tell him I referred you. (Tom Maiorana)

http://www.dbottoms.com/

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You can try Flashpoint out of Salt Lake City. They primarily do web content, but I know they are capable of product illustration/motion.

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This might be on the "less slick" end of things but it's in the general realm. Probably on the less expensive side of things, too, for those with budgetary issues.

http://www.inventiondemos.com/

The company is local - down in the South Bay I think. I haven't worked with them, so no guarantees.

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I have a friend who works for a firm like this in Portland -- it's http://www.nc3d.com and his name's Aubrey Pullman. (Though you probably won't talk to him, he's a renderer, not a salesperson.)