Hooch Tan
11-25-2009, 11:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/11/amazing-software-turns-cheap-webcam-into-instant-3d-scanner/' target='_blank'>http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009...ant-3d-scanner/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"It’s called ProFORMA, or Probabilistic Feature-based On-line Rapid Model Acquisition, but it is way cooler than it sounds. The software, written by a team headed by Qui Pan, a student at the Department of Engineering at Cambridge University in England, turns a regular, cheap webcam into a 3D scanner."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//dht/auto/1259180240.usr20447.png" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>I am sure some of you would consider this to be in the "Why? Because I Can!" category, the ProFORMA software actually looks like it could have lots of practical uses. The speed and detail at which is accomplishes a 3D scan of an object is impressive, and I can see how combined with the right CAD software, and a 3D printer, or a company like Shapeways, you could come up with really neat designs. Come to think of it, it could also be used to image and archive a lot of stuff around the house as well. After watching the video, I was reminded of two other, possibly related technologies. Augmented reality, which instead of creating 3D models, uses the fast image acquisition tech to "enhance" what you can see through a camera. The other technology is Microsoft's Photosynth, which stitches together various photos into one large quasi-picture. This seems to do the same thing, but a much more specific purpose.</p>