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Google unveils a pair of 3D 180° point & shoot VR cameras by YI and Lenovo

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Well, this is pretty cool, a pair of new 3D 180° VR cameras, developed in partnership with Google for their VR180 app. They’re kicking the new VR180 platform with two offerings from Lenovo and YI Technology.  While the hardware is similar to a 360° camera, the configuration makes the final result very different. Instead of having one lens facing forward and one facing back, two stare in the same direction side-by-side.

This setup allows for 180-degree stereoscopic 3D video or stills when viewed back on Google Cardboard or a VR headset. The first camera is the Lenovo Mirage, which has a pair of 13 megapixel fisheye lenses with 4K sensors. Likewise, the YI VR180 also houses a pair of lenses and sensors, but is capable of 16.6MP images and 5.7K video.

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This AI tool makes a 3D model from a single portrait photo

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Creating a 3D model of someone’s face usually requires multiple shots taken from different angles. But researchers from the University of Nottingham and Kingston University have created an AI tool that makes it from a single portrait photo.

The scientists describe the 3D face reconstruction as a “problem of extraordinary difficulty.” However, they’ve managed to use neural networks to turn any 2D portrait into a 3D model. There’s also a free online demo for you to try it yourself.

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3D scanning like a pro

Almost any sensor yields more interesting results if mounted on a moving platform. Remember scanning thermometer? It’s time to mount TOF LIDAR (Time Of Flight / Light Imaging, Detection, And Ranging) on two precision rotary stages arranged for pan and tilt operation. Rig provides real-time position data along with distance to an obstacle. Using simple math we can calculate the position in Cartesian coordinate system. Data is collected point-by- point to reconstruct 3D object model.

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These images may look like CG renders, but they’re actually photographs

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In a world where many CG artists are aiming for photorealism, one very skilled photographer seems to be going the opposite way. These images look like something straight out of 3DS Max or Blender. They’re not, though. They’re actually very carefully designed photographs, created by Norwegian design duo Lars Marcus Vedeler and Theo Zamudio-Tveterås at their studio, Skrekkøgle.

Looking at the final work is pretty surreal, and if nobody ever told you that they weren’t CG renders, you’d never be able to tell. In a way, it kind of makes you redefine “photorealism”. I mean, these are photos, so if your renders look like this, they’re photorealistic now, right?

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Using both Blender and Photoshop can create the most surreal photos

Domenico Sellaro is a rising talent! A young Digital Artist who specializes in Creative Retouching, and Matte Painting. He began to teach himself Photoshop in 2008, but has since taught himself how to use 3D programs like Sculptris and Blender too. During these years he has been selected for international exhibitions, become featured in the Wacom gallery online, and received features in international Photoshop magazines. He is now Founder and CEO at The Creative Dot and he’s working as Freelance Digital Artist for some clients from Europe and other countries.

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Facebook posts its Open Source 3D 360 camera rig and software to GitHub

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Facebook first introduced the world to Surround 360 in April. It’s a 3D 360° camera rig that shoots up to 8K footage per eye. They announced at launch that all the designs and software would be coming to GitHub this summer and it’s finally here.

Built using 17 4MP cameras, it has a total cost of around $30,000. So, it’s not the type of inexpensive weekend project to do with your kids. It will, however, produce significantly better footage than most consumer 360° solutions. At that kind of price, though, you’d expect as much.

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Want to shoot 3D photos and video with your phone for $35? Well, soon you can… maybe

When I first heard the phrase “dual cameras” used in relation to mobile phones, 3D is what first came to my mind.  How disappointed I was to find out that it was nothing to do with recording videos or shooting stills in 3D.

Now, Weeview want to fix that, having announced the Eye-Plug 3D Camera at Computex.  The Eye-Plug gives your smartphone’s camera software an extra lens and sensor so it can see two viewpoints at once.

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Now you can capture 3D Video with a single GoPro for only $50

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Stereoscopic images aren’t new.  In fact, they’re one of the earliest forms of 3D imagery available.  They also seem to be making something of a comeback, now that VR headsets are becoming more inexpensive and easily available.

The Vitrima VR Lens wants to bring this capability to the GoPro.  Describing itself as “The first GoPro lens that records in 3D”, the Vitrima works with a single camera, removing the need for any 3D post workflow.  In fact, you can even stream live in 3D.

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Using Pixelsquid to add 3D Star Wars (and other) objects to your images

I’m always looking for good stock images to use in my photoshop composites. I find them online, or use the awesome Texture Store. Or I make my own. But sometimes its impossible to find the right image that fits your idea.

And if you do find the right image, it’s at the wrong angle or too small, or not lighted the way you want to. So you’ll just end up with a crappy composite, or spending hours of time to get it right.

A while ago I was preparing a workshop and looking into the possibility to teach everyone about using photoshop’s built in 3D options. Photoshop has been developing integration with 3D for a while and you can even get as far as prepare a file for 3D printing now.

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NVidia presents Ansel, “The World’s First in-game camera system”

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For those who hate having to actually get up off their computers and leave the house, photography can be a potentially tricky prospect.  Now, Nvidia have presented the world with a possible solution to this problem in the form of Ansel; An in-game “camera system”.  Ok, so it’s not really photography, but it is quite an interesting technology.

The Ansel photo mode allows you to step outside of the game’s predetermined destiny for your character, and allow you to position your camera and compose your shot with a fully free form camera, with full 360 degree stereoscopic abilities viewable on a range of devices including your mobile phone.

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