How to create 3D objects using a cellphone

The project:

Did the 3D action in 'Avatar' excite the animator in you? Well, you could do just about the same jig with your very own cell phone replacing the expensive equipments used in the making of the movie. This has been made possible by Microsoft with the launch of its latest application. The software allows for a photo realistic 3D model which approves of viewing from all angles. The model draws upon the overlapping snapshots captured on the cell phone.

3d images using cellphone

The process just involves photographic a particular object from the inbuilt cell phone camera from all angles. The photos are then sent over the server for processing. Further, the photo realistic 3D model of the same can be downloaded and easily viewed with the swipe of finger on the phone screen. Capturing a car in 3D style might require round about 40 pictures however smaller objects like a cake might just settle down as 3D object in 25 images.

Difficulty Level:

The product can be rated as moderate on the scale of difficulty and requires basic knowledge to handle software.

Time required:

The process, beginning with photographing, sending it over the server and extracting and downloading the 3D model, would approximately require 25 to 30 minutes of your time.

Resources required:

The software can be accessed by any one possessing a cell phone or a digital camera as all it involves is taking photographs.

Instructions:

The primary step involves photographic the chosen objects from all angles. The next step towards your very own photo realistic 3D model would include sending the images to a cloud server in order to process it. The application then proceeds with a download of a photo realistic 3D model easy to be viewed with just the swipe of finger.If you prefer camera over cell phone, the photos have to be processed on a computer for obvious reasons.

Additionally, the creators have also added a web browser plug in to the software in order to make it possible to share images online. Moreover, it is claimed that the 3D model consumes even less bandwidth than a video and is as interactive as video.

When the pictures are sent, the software is programmed to figure out the 3D space. A similar technology was applied in an earlier project which lend a sense of 3D while shuffling between different views of the images. The project was called Photosynth.

Quick tips:

The software makes use of overlapping images. The development of web browser plug in is another added feature which makes it possible to share online. Also, the use of less images comparatively to work out the model is the reason why the model has a less bandwidth.

Things to watch out for:

The number of clicks that need to be made to extract a 3D model for an object is to watched out for. An estimate should be made for the number of clicks need to be made.

Another thing to make not of is that if a conventional camera is utilised, computer is needed to upload images.

Via: Technologyreview