News Stories

What’s the marketing potential from Apple’s recent patent for iPhone 3D camera technology?

5.15.2012

[Techi]

…So how would this new 3D camera technology work in the real world? Well according the patent, it would combine radar, laser, light-detection and ranging (LIDAR) and various other sensors to enhance depth and the intensity of color accuracy. The language also indicates that it would enable cameras to detect facial expressions and gestures ranging from a grin to a grimace. It is being speculated that the detection aspect could work by detecting parts of the face such as a person’s eyes, nose, and mouth, and then matching it with a range of expressions and gestures stored in a database.

 

Marketing potential of 3D camera technology

Should Apple’s 3D camera technology come to life, the marketing potential behind it could be virtually unlimited. We can see it being particularly useful for software and video game developers, companies that provide services to the entertainment industry, and others that exist to create strong visual experiences for end users. Such a concept may sound farfetched, but it isn’t when you consider that the 3D boom has already arrived. In addition to the growing number of 3D-friendly TVs, monitors and mobile devices, the popularity of Hollywood hits like Avatar and Clash of the Titans prove that there is indeed a market for Apple’s concept.

Believe it or not, but a 3D camera-enabled iPhone wouldn’t be the first of its kind in the smartphone space. In fact, that credit actually goes to the HTC Evo 3D, which officially broke the barrier by allowing users to snap pictures, record three dimensional videos, and view the captured content without needing a pair of special glasses. However, what Apple has in store could lend itself to even more exciting possibilities, mainly because of the rich capabilities of its iOS devices. …

See the full story here: http://www.techi.com/2012/05/whats-the-marketing-potential-from-apples-recent-patent-for-iphone-3d-camera-technology/

3D Printing: Personalized Production for the Mass Market with MIT/Stanford VLAB

5.15.2012

[Shapeways website]

This past April, our CEO Peter Weijmarshausen sat on a panel at MIT/Stanford VLAB about the future of 3D printing. They discussed the future of the industry and the impact 3D printing will have on entrepreneurs, design, and personalized production.

Watch Pete chat along with leaders from 3D Systems, Autodesk, and London College of Fashion, and MAKE Magazine:

 

 

See the original post here: http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/1367-3D-Printing-Personalized-Production-for-the-Mass-Market-with-MITStanford-VLAB.html

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Specification for Naming VFX Image Sequences Released

ETC’s VFX Working Group has published a specification for best practices naming image sequences such as plates and comps. File naming is an essential tool for organizing the multitude of frames that are inputs and outputs from the VFX process. Prior to the publication of this specification, each organization had its own naming scheme, requiring custom processes for each partner, which often resulted in confusion and miscommunication.

The new ETC@USC specification focuses primarily on sequences of individual images. The initial use case was VFX plates, typically delivered as OpenEXR or DPX files. However, the team soon realized that the same naming conventions can apply to virtually any image sequence. Consequently, the specification was written to handle a wide array of assets and use cases.

To ensure all requirements are represented, the working group included over 2 dozen participants representing studios, VFX houses, tool creators, creatives and others.  The ETC@USC also worked closely with MovieLabs to ensure that the specification could be integrated as part of their 2030 Vision.

A key design criteria for this specification is compatibility with existing practices.  Chair of the VFX working group, Horst Sarubin of Universal Pictures, said: “Our studio is committed to being at the forefront of designing best industry practices to modernize and simplify workflows, and we believe this white paper succeeded in building a new foundation for tools to transfer files in the most efficient manner.”

This specification is compatible with other initiatives such as the Visual Effects Society (VES) Transfer Specifications. “We wanted to make it as seamless as possible for everyone to adopt this specification,” said working group co-chair and ETC@USC’s Erik Weaver. “To ensure all perspectives were represented we created a team of industry experts familiar with the handling of these materials and collaborated with a number of industry groups.”

“Collaboration between MovieLabs and important industry groups like the ETC is critical to implementing the 2030 Vision,” said Craig Seidel, SVP of MovieLabs. “This specification is a key step in defining the foundations for better software-defined workflows. We look forward to continued partnership with the ETC on implementing other critical elements of the 2030 Vision.”

The specification is available online for anyone to use.

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