Tag Archives: 3D

Surface recognizes the third dimension

Technology, Video, , ,

Microsoft Surface learns a new trick with the Lumino Project.  Surface has always been able to recognize physical objects when they are placed down.  With the newly constructed (and still being tested) Lumino blocks, Surface can recognize when a number of blocks are stacked on top of each other, and these various three dimensional orientations can correspond with different outcomes.  Watch the video above to see examples.  Though these examples may seem juvenile at the moment (re: checkers), the researchers can see this kind of technology being implemented in the future by architects and engineers.

[Via Gizmodo]

FIFA World Cup matches to be broadcast in 3D (read: not in America)

News, Sports, Technology, Television, , ,

FIFA has teamed up with Sony to broadcast 25 matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa in high-definition in-your-face 3D.

FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke: “This propels the football fan into a whole new viewing dimension and marks the dawning of a new era in the broadcasting of sport.  We are proud that the FIFA World Cup can serve as a platform for advancing technology and the viewing experience, and are truly fortunate to have Sony as a partner in this endeavour.”

The 25 games will be broadcast live in the following cities around the world: London, Berlin, Mexico City, Paris, Rio De Janeiro, Rome, and Sydney.  I mean, who watches soccer in the US anyways, am I right?

[Via Gizmodo; FIFA]

Virtual Autopsy Table brings life to the dead

Technology, Video, , , , , ,

Virtual Autopsy Table.  Developed by Norrköping Visualization Centre with CMIV.

Have a look at the inside of a human being. In this installation, with the help of an easy to use multi touch interface, the user can freely interact with stunning volumetric 3D datasets of real scanned human bodies.

The datasets in this demo have been created with state of the art techniques within medical imaging; Dual Energy Computed Tomography. The data has been imported straight from the scanners and has not been edited or modified before rendering, what you see is not a 3D model, it’s a full volumetric description of a human body.

The visualization techniques used in this table is already utilized successfully as a compliment to the conventional autopsy. Apart from avoiding cutting in the body the medical experts, such as coroners, can see things that are difficult to discover in a conventional autopsy. Furthermore, the technique opens up for new opportunities in countries where autopsies are not accepted due to cultural reasons. The technique will revolutionize the traditional health care in many areas.

Basically the Virtual Autopsy Table is a multitouch surface that allows you to manipulate 3D images of human bodies.  How exciting and so very cool.  Doctors (or more specifically, morticians) all around the world must be shaking their medical coats right now.

[Via Engadget; vimeo page]

3D renders of cities created from thousands of Flickr photos; awesome!

Architecture, Art, Images, science, Technology, Video, , , , , , , , , , ,

Scientists from the University of Washington’s Graphics and Imaging Laboratory, with the help of over 150,000 Flickr users, managed to create 3D digital models of three different cities.  According to PopSci.com, “each video includes clusters of small diamond shapes, which represent each photographer and his or her vantage point.  ..  The team built a new algorithm that proceeds in two steps — first, by matching the photos by what they had in common, puzzle-style, and then by determining the scene and each photographer’s pose.”  One of the scientists, Steve Seitz: “This is one of the main intellectual challenges here.  We want to see how much of the city can be reconstructed from people’s tourist photos.”

Their next task: to create a 3D rendering of an entire city using at least one million photographs.  So keep taking pictures people, and upload them to your Flickr accounts.  Check out more 3D renderings the team is working on at their YouTube page.  Cool stuff, huh?

[Via Gizmodo; Popsci]

3D coming to PS3 in 2010?

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There has been a lot of news lately about 3D technology.  You may surprised to hear that all the news does not just surround the movie industry.  3D is coming to a TV near you, and the expected date for this technological evolution is 2010 (that’s next year!).  TV manufacturers such as Toshiba and Sony plan on embedding 3D tech inside their TVs that will allow broadcasts, DVDs and Blu Rays, and video games to display in glorious three dimensions, making for a more immersive experience in entertainment.  The latest news comes from Sony; a representative told Engadget that a future software update for the Playstation 3 will allow “all” existing games to display in 3D.  Today, though, Sony has stepped back and told Joystiq that they are “conducting a technological investigation” into the matter and that “there is no plan for the market launch of this at this time.”  So, although 3D TV tech is coming soon, a reality with 3D video games may be a bit farther in the future.  At least we know they are “investigating” its potential.  I’ll just wait over here with my 3D glasses until it all comes true.

[Via Engadget; Joystiq]

3D Etch-a-Sketch

Images, Technology,

Sketch-3D is an interactive, integrated software/hardware system that enables users to create their own anaglyphic 3D drawings. By using a ubiquitous interface metaphor (the “Etch-A-Sketch “), Sketch-3D allows anyone to participate in generating stereoscopic imagery in a way that is simple and engaging. In addition to the personal experience, Sketch-3D can be scaled to work with any output device from large scale projection to plasma displays to an integrated LCD. This versatility allows for Sketch-3D to be tailored to fit a wide array of installation environments.

Freakin’ cool, yeah?  Check out additional images of this marvel below.

[Via Gizmodo; Thisandagain]

 

Tachyon XC brings 3D recording to the masses

Technology, Video, , , , , ,

The 2010 Tachyon XC camera system by Tachyon packs a ton of tech.  It is a shock/waterproof system; it records onto SDHC cards (ranges 4GB-32GB of storage); it has a 90mm lens; and the battery lasts up to 12 hours.  The Tachyon camera is meant to be placed on your head (via a bulky mount) and record your surroundings.  Here’s the cool part: the user has the option of combining the power of two cameras and the head mount to record 3D video!  The entire package (including the two Tachyon cameras, a head mount, 3D glasses, and editing software will cost you $379.99.  The single camera package costs 179.99.  Not too shabby for an innovative camera package that enables creatives to shoot and edit 3D video, right?  Tachyon plans on shipping out the camera system no later than September 16.  With YouTube now experimenting with user-created 3D video and film-makers like James Camerson utilizing 3D effects in their movies, this 3D-recording technology might just catch on in the near future.

Check out the video above titled “New York in 3D.”  3D glasses are required for the intended effect, though a trippy, psychadelic adventure can be had as well without the glasses.  The creator: Here is a video I did in NY with the new 2010 Tachyon XC cam and its amazing 3D technology. I put it together with Final Cut, and had a blast with all the 3D footage. The camera is actually 2 2010 XC’s out together with the Tachyon XC 3D mounting system. Tachyon has also produced its own 3D editing software to align the files as well as its own 3D glasses. I was amazed with the footage from the Times Square night scenes, the clarity and color was amazing. The 2D footage as well is fantastic, thanks to the new light sensor in the cam.  Also, check after the break for a second video captured in 3D by the camera.

[Via Gizmodo, here & here; Businesswire] Continue reading Tachyon XC brings 3D recording to the masses →