In Syldavia, while flying over Lake Pollishoff on their way to visit Professor Calculus, the plane transporting Tintin and Captain Haddock crash lands in the mountains. Rescued by a couple of young Syldavians, Tintin and his friends arrive at the Villa Sprog where Professor Calculus shows them the result of his latest work: a machine that can create three-dimensional objects! But as always, wherever Professor Calculus sets up his laboratory crooks quickly follow, keen to steal his ideas...