Steve Weinrebe's Mode Studio

Today Microsoft* released Photosynth, software that allows the user to blend multiple still images to map a “networked” 3D view of the scene. Using the Seadragon technology brought to Microsoft via an acquisition, users can upload small quantities (20) or large quantities (up to 300) of still images, taken with varying degrees of quality or at differing times of day, and blend them into a browsable 3D image of the scene. Check out the video at the Photosynth blog site to see this in action, it is truly amazing to watch. Similar to the convergence of still and video technology, still and 3D are clearly being blended in interesting ways (as they have already been in Photoshop, though not in this way [think Zoomify, Photomerge, and Vanishing Point rolled into one!]). Shared images of a scene can be blended with Photosynth to create a wholly new and synergistic image. Link here to download Photosynth (as of this writing the Photosynth download site is terminally overloaded). (Via DPReview.)

*P.S. Oh, and did I mention this was developed by Microsoft? Besides relying heavily on the graphics processing unit (GPU) in your computer, Photosynth is Windows only. The good news for Mac users is that you can run it with Boot Camp if you have Windows installed in a partition on one of your Intel Macs. Otherwise be patient, a Mac version will be forthcoming.

Posted by Steve Weinrebe