VizWorld.com

Eugene Liscio, our favorite Forensic Graphics Artist, has just written a new piece of Forensic Magazine on the potential of using Microsoft’s Photosynth tool to reconstruct 3D Geometry from 2D images.

These “points” define accurate features in 3D space that are common between photos and by taking enough photographs of an object, it is possible to construct a point cloud from the “synthed” images. In effect, this makes it one of the only free 3D scanners that can be utilized to get relative distances between point features of an object.

via Forensic Magazine® – Making Teamwork Really Work for You.

Science forensic, liscio, photosynth

Microsoft has integrated their PhotoSynth software into Virtual Earth, allowing users to flip between overhead satellite imagery and photographic stitches.

“The integration of Microsoft Photosynth into Virtual Earth marks an important step in enabling businesses to use Photosynth in a relevant, customer-friendly way,” said Jeff Kelisky, general manager, Mapping and Local Search at Microsoft. “With the integrated capabilities of Photosynth and recently added Silverlight API, our Virtual Earth partners have great tools for creating, sharing, viewing and embedding synths across multiple platforms, and building engaging experiences.”

via Microsoft Photosynth Integrates Into Virtual Earth, Marking Commercial Availability of the 3-D Photo Technology: NASA and VisitBrighton put new Photosynth release to work in Virtual Earth and outer space..

Science microsoft, photosynth, virtualearth

NASA has collaborated with Microsoft’s Virtual Earth Team to offer up some pretty 3D photographs on their website.  The photographs include the Space Shuttle and Space Station and the Mars Rover.  Not simulations or renderings, the images are from standard digital cameras used by the astronauts.

“Photosynth brings the public closer to our spaceflight equipment and hardware,” said Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “The space station pictures are not simulations or graphic representations but actual images taken recently by astronauts while in orbit. Although you’re not flying 220 miles above the Earth at 17,500 miles an hour, it allows you to navigate and view amazing details of the real station as though you were there.”

They’ve also integrated a kind of digital scavenger hunt, with a list of hidden items buried in the photographs.

Requires a Silverlight install to use.

via NASA – NASA Releases Interactive 3-D Views of Space Station, New Mars Rover.

Science 3d, microsoft, nasa, photosynth, silverlight