more info at austin.siggraph.org

Realviz Image Modeler (Image courtesy of Autodesk, 2011)

The ability to use software to construct/construe 3D geometry from nothing but multiple photographs (with multiple points of view) of the same scene or object is not new. For the past decade, CG artists and others have used this approach (called “photogrammetry” to create virtual objects for any number of purposes.

Computer software can analyse multiple, different views (at least 3 different views/angle are required, although dozens of angles/views are used when a more accurate representation is required) of a space or object. The software is given (traditionally by the end-user) common “target” points that can be seen across each of the images. With enough of the same target points defined on each of the photos, the software then analyses the images and can neutralize (calculate) parallax shifts and differences in scale and distances -and then “automatically” build a polygonal 3D geometry based on these calculations and visual cues.

Additionally, the software tools can then allow for processing the original photographs into “texture maps”. These texture maps, once processed to match each other in terms of color, sharpness, etc are overlaid onto the plain 3D geometry and blended to add a level of photorealism to the virtual object or scene.

While usually faster than having a 3D artist model & texture the geometry from scratch using tradiionl 3D design tools, this process has typically been fairly “hands-on”, requiring many manual adjustments of individual images in the software toolsets and/or painfully long algorithmic/automatic processing that took hour or days to complete. Only after this cold the basic virtual objects be viewed and manipulated in a 3D “space”.

New implementations of recently-refined processing algorithms are now allowing large-scale, automated reconstruction of entire city blocks using literally thousands and thousands of images scattered. Unlike image-based 3D modeling technology of the recent past, these new implementations are virtually automated, and can process the required calculations much much more quickly than before.

If you consider the billions of images on the internet, the possibilities of this technology are kinda amazing.

There is an awesome video and intrview with Steve Seitz, a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus discussing their latest technology platform.

Check it out:  http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/virtualrealitymaps.jsp

Information Graphics (or just “infographics”) is the art and science of visually representing complex information or data so that it can be more easily understood and analysed by humans. This is, arguably, the same basic definition that’s given to the term “data visualization”

So are there any appreciable differences between the two disciplines? Apparently there are -although nobody seems to be able to agree exactly what they are. There is a very interesting thread over at Quora with people smarter than I arguing the finer points.

http://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-a-data-visualization-and-an-infographic

(image copyright digitalsurgeons.com 2010)

IF YOU SEE THIS CAMERA, CALL RED HQ AND THE POLICE!
(Photo: RED Camera Company)

If you know about the RED Camera Company, then you may know about the RED Epic, a soon-to-be-released high-resolution (5K), ultra-high dynamic range camera package they recently announced.

The Epic camera (serial #06) – the only known unit in existence – had been undergoing field testing by RED Fan #1, Mark Pedersen of Off Hollywood Pictures in NYC. At some point last night, thieve(s) entered the chalet where he and his family had been staying. Fortunately, nobody was hurt. Unfortunately, the thieve(s) made off with the new camera, as well s cash and other items.

The DSMC (digital still/motion) camera camera, is widely rumored to offer an astounding 18 STOPS of dynamic latitude and 5K horizontal resolution. It also reportedly offers high-speed 120FPS (@2K) shooting modes that will enable extremely high-quality slo-motion recording.

As this was the only known RED EPIC camera in existence, the gravity of the news is being felt throughout the RED film-making community. With its advanced feature set and ultimate drool-factor, there could be countless motives for someone stealing EPIC #06. There is no shortage of companies and individuals who could want the unit for their own purposes.

I wish Mark as well as Jim, Jarred and the team at RED my best hopes and wishes for recovering the camera intact and prosecuting the perpetrators involved.

Mark, I have a feeling you can probably get a replacement at some point.  ;)

You can follow the “official” thread here:http ://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53549

In the weeks, months and years to come, I will be adding to this collection in ways I’m sure I can’t even comprehend right now.

Have a warm and lovely holiday season.

-Adam