PHOTOKINA: Where to find 3D?
3D-News Posted: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 (7:00 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Last modified (7th update): September 28th, 9.00 am (local time, Cologne) If you are planning to come to Photokina, there are a couple of companies to visit. Below is a quick overview of some of the companies offering stereoscopic products and/or services. Hall 2.1 / Booth A 14/B 16: Seitz Phototechnik AG Seitz still offers a special 3D-bracket to mount two of its Super 220 VR panoramic camera heads side by side. Stereo panoramas (360 degrees) can be taken. Hall 2.2 / Booth B 30/B D 39: Olympus Imaging A large-format anaglyph print lures visitors to one part of the booth. Red-cyan anaglyph glasses are available free of charge. They also offer a free CD-ROM with Olympus' Master Plus Software, which claims to convert 2D images to 3D. When using it with uther media than SD cards, id soes not work (so they claim), and an update is necessary. However, the quality of the conversions is extremely bad, not justifying to spend any money on this software but rather spend some extra money to buy a second camera to shoot real stereo. Hall 3.1 / Booth B 10/C 19: Lindemanns Buchhandlung Lindemanns, one of the major photographic bookstores, also sells a few stereo-related books, including one on stereo nude photography and also a book with anaglyph phantogram images. Hall 3.1 / Booth D 18/D 16: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Stereoskopie e.V. (DGS) German 3D-Club. There's usually a happy crowd of stereo enthusiasts around to keep you busy. Exhibits this year include Lenticular images by Igor Tillmann, cameras and a digital viewing-box by Jacob van Ekeren as well as a digital stereo projection of still and moving images in HDTV resolution, presented by Werner Bloos. Another unique digital projection, using red/cyan anaglyph glasses, features various phantogram animations by Achim Bahr (robots and fish). Mr. Bahr claims that this is the world premiere of animated phantogram projection. Hall 4.1 / Booth E 31: Cerion GmbH This company generates cubes of optic glass with an embedded portrait. They use a digital two lens stereo camera (a third lens projects strip-patterns and colors on you while the other two lenses take your picture) system to capture the portrait and to computer-generate a "cloud of dots", which will later be burned into the crystal by a laser. Hall 4.1 / Booth H 21: ADF At the ADF booth, H.C. Top Systems distributes the image processing software Zoner Photo Studio 8. One feature: you can take a stereo pair and convert it to an anaglyph image. The software automatically finds identical points in each of the images and supposedly makes automatic corrections. However, the sample images were horrible and the "adjustments" not convincing. Quite disappointing - especially since they have sample images in a separate gallery in Hall 5.2, which were technically and aesthetically much better. Hall 4.2 / Booth B 31 et. al.: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Fuji displays a total of 5 reflective holograms, at two different locations on their booth. This is to advertise Fujifilm's Silver Halide Holographic Film F HL. This film is suitable for most laser types and has a resolution of more than 3,000 lines per millimeter. The largest available size is 1 m by 10 m (1 roll), sheet film is available up to 50 x 60 cm. Hall 5.1 / Booth C 10/D 19: Dr. Gilde System-Kamera-Technologie GmbH The manufacturer of medium format (stereo) cameras is a guest at the Schneider Kreuznach booth. On display, among various 2D cameras, is a stereo camera and two medium-format viewers. Hall 5.1 / Booth C 19: Komamura Corporation Komamura presents the new Horseman 35 mm rangefinder stereo camera. The camera has an electronically-controlled focal plain shutter with speeds ranging from 8 seconds to 1/1000th of a second and takes stereo pairs 24 x 32 mm in size on regular 135 film. The lenses are 38 mm f/2.8 with the closest focus at 0.7 meters. The stereo base is 34 mm - and therefore suitable mostly for close-up photographs. DX-coded films can be used - but the film speeds can also be set manually from ISO 25 to ISO 3200 in 1/3 steps. The film is transported by a motor-drive and there are three shooting modes: S (single), C (continuous) and M (Multiple Exposure). The latter does automatic bracketing. At 166 x 82 x 66 mm, the Horseman 3D camera is fairly compact - but not a lightweight camera at approximately 900 grams. Hall 5.1 / Booth C 20: Facestation Limited Facestation is an integrated image capture and printing system that offers full color 3D animated portraits in real time. The image is captured by 9 cameras, arranged in a section of an arc, then processed digitally and printed on an ink-jet printer. Aligned with a lenticular screen, the final 3D-portrait is ready in less than 5 minutes. The system is ideal to take portraits at amusement parks, or other places of interest with a high visitor frequency. The sample images on display are quite impressive. Hall 5.1 / Booth C 28: Monochrom GmbH This company distributes two stereo system: the lower budget "Loreo" Stereo Camera and viewer, plus the new Chinese Medium Format Stereo Camera by Hangzhou 3D World Photographic Equipment Co. (see separate entry, below). Apart from that, Monochrom sells archival products, including acid-free and buffered cardboard boxes to store antique stereo views. Hall 5.1 / Booth D 21: Lee Filters Numerous plastic and gel filters are available from Lee Filters - also suitable for making anaglyph glasses. Hall 5.1 / Booth D 19: Fotoman Camera The Hong Kong-based company produces affordable medium format panoramic cameras. A person from the USA has created a stereo lens panel for the camera, and Fotoman will modify cameras so they can accept a septum in the back. They will also add a second film-counting window. However, Fotoman will not market the camera themselves - this will be done by that aforementioned individual - who can be contacted through Fotoman. Hall 5.1 / Booth H 14: Hangzhou 3D World Photographic Equipment Co., Ltd. This company offers a twin-lens reflex viewfinder camera for medium-format (120 film). The separation of the f/2.8, 80 mm focal length lenses is 63.5 mm and the focus is manual from 0.8 mm to infinity. Shutter speeds range frome one second to 1/500th of a second, plus B. The complete system includes a camera, a mounting-jig (for both 54 mm and 52 mm version of stereo slide mounts), a hand-held "steal-the-light" medium-format stereo viewer and ten pairs of stereo slide mounts. Hall 5.2 / Area near C/D 22: Anaglyph exhibition A large exhibition of numerous anaglyph images is on display. Images were taken by Karl-Heinz Georgi and Katrin Schmidt. The stereo pairs were then converted to anaglyphs with the software Zoner Photo Studio 8 (see report about it in the Hall 4.1 section) Hall 7 / Booth E 51 A: Tohkay Sangyo Co., Ltd. The company from Tokyo offers the Peak stereoscopes, well-known since many years. Hall 7 / Booth E 69 E: Kelika Digital Science Co., Ltd. Lenticular conversion software and large format lenticular screens are sold by this Chinese company. The sizes are up to 1.25 x 2.5 meters. with prices ranging from 2 Euro to 14 Euro per square meter. Hall 10.1 / Booth D 29: Contento Another company producing cubes of optic glass with an embedded portrait made of a "cloud of dots", burned into the crystal by a laser. A small key-ring image is produced and sold for 15 Euro, larger glass cubes sell for 40 EUR. Hall 10.1 / Booth E 20: Breuckmann GmbH Breuckmann offers a digitizing 3D camera, using two lenses to capture two views, and another lens in the center to project a strip-pattern on the object. Later, a computer will calculate a 3D model from the two views to produce a solid model, made of wood, plastic or plaster. Hall 10.2 / Booth C 18: Kinetronics Another company selling the Peak stereoscope. Hall 10.2 / Booth C 64: Dinamix Amimated lenticulars, which are moved by an electro-mechanical device to change the images even to a stationary spectator. However, no 3D-images are offered. Hall 10.2 / Booth D 11: Maco Photo Products They still sell 127 roll films in various styles (200 ISO Color Negative and 100 ISO Black & White Negative). Some historic stereo cameras (Nordetta etc.) used this film. The 100 ISO Color Slide film has recently been discontinued, but they hope to offer a replacement in the not too distant future. These are the companies tracked down so far. Updates will be published regularly, approximately twice daily. For "up-to-the-minute" 3D-information and questions, we can be reached by mobile e-mail (use the e-mail address published at http://www.stereoscopy.com/contact) and we will try to reply within one hour during regular Photokina hours.

	Solid Look Robotic Stereo Vision
3D-News Posted: Thursday, September 21, 2006 (6:36 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Today's robots can perform human tasks during difficult or dangerous operations while the operator is located in a safe place. However, they require very high skills in order to be handled correctly and accurately. The existing robot vision based on bi-dimensional cameras and often the lack of image accuracy require the operator to take decisions without sufficient information during delicate time-stressed operations. Measurements of images - distance between elements or dimensions of objects - are usually provided as post-capture functionality. Nevertheless, a robot operator needs this information in real-time in order to quickly locate a potential danger. A robot operates in a rugged environment and the camera vision needs to be stabilized in order to provide a smooth vision to the operator. In addition it usually operates in a hostile environment and most of the time the images captured by the cameras are classified or reserved and need to be preserved securely and with high confidentiality. A legal evidence of integrity and authenticity together with presence in time and confidentiality of the captured images are a post-capture requirement for many customers, agencies and private companies in order to bring the video incident as a proof. To address and solve these problems, Solid-Look has been designed and developed as an advanced complete stereoscopic solution to see, store and operate robot vision as if the operator was in the robot's place, using in particular: Flat panel stereoscopic monitor – the operator will see in three-dimensions without the need of special wearable or glasses. Stereoscopic cameras - multiple choices of stereoscopic cameras (Infra Red, Forward Looking Infrared, Color Thermal, visible spectrum, X-RAY …). Eye and head tracking – using the eye/Head movement the operator will position/zoom the camera (hands-free). Stereo images stabilization – when the robot travels on an uneven surface, both images are synchronized and will be stabilized according to the parallax. Real-time measurement – allowing the operator to know distances and volumes of objects, Strong identification and authentication of the operators – each operator needs to identify himself before starting to operate robot vision. High-end central processor unit and boards with reliable software – Very sophisticated main board and CPU to allow the integration of the previous and perform accordingly. Authentication, encryption and timestamping - to store and preserve securely all the stereoscopic images in order to play them back assuring evidence of integrity, confidentiality, presence in time and verification of authenticity. Solid-Look can be used in multiple industries from Homeland Security to pharmaceutical including research, forensic and underwater inspections. The main applications that can take great advantage using Solid-Look are: UAV-UGV-UUV (Unmanned Aerial-Ground-Underwater Vehicles). Robot for IED (Improvised Explosive Device) disposal. Underwater inspection. Microscopic measurement. Surgical Operation. Chip and Pipeline Inspection. IR, NIR, FLIR Vision. Forensic Photogrammetry. Tactical Surveillance Systems / Law Enforcement. Computer Aided Design. Hazardous and nuclear materials handling. Advertising. For detailed technical information visit http://www.andxor.com/stereoscopic.html

	Cyviz announces a New Single Channel HD Stereo Solution
3D-News Posted: Thursday, September 21, 2006 (6:31 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Cyviz announced a New Single Channel HD Stereo Solution, the Viz1080 . The unit is based upon the Projectiondesign Cineo 1080 , and it enables the viewer a true 1080 Stereo experience (2.1 mega pixel resolution, 1080x1920, 16:9 format). With the patented Cyviz technology, the user can add and switch between up to 16 different sources. In the standard configuration the user can display 1 sources as PiP's (Picture in Picture) in addition to the main source. The unit is delivered with motorized filters for use in both Mono and Stereo 3D. For additional information on the viz1080 visit http://www.cyviz.com/viz1080.htm

	United States Patent Office Grants Patent to Visual Industries, Inc. for a 'No Glasses Required' Full Motion, Electronic 3D Image Display
3D-News Posted: Thursday, September 21, 2006 (6:24 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Visual Industries, Inc. announced that the United States Patent Office has granted a patent protecting a full motion, electronic 3D image display system that can be viewed without the use of glasses or other intrusive devices. This patent protects one facet of the display system, registration of a plastic Lenticular Lens that can be placed in front of most monitors. Additional patent applications are being submitted to protect the Intellectual Property associated with the 3D system. The monitors project 3D effects similar to those provided by static, non-electronic 3D images. Potential applications include electronic 3D displays for video games, movies, gaming machines, cell phones, advertising, simulators, and computer graphics. "The Visual Industries team has produced and demonstrated prototypes that are light years ahead of all current competition," said Randall McCoy, CEO of Visual Industries. "We are confident that their abilities will also be instrumental in providing products for such a high demand market. The recent acquisition of Sterling World Wide Entertainment and the addition of several collaborative agreements with The Halsey Group, LLC will only strengthen our ability to lead this innovative sector of the market. The market demand for superior polycarbonate reflective optics and 3-D imaging is a multi-billion dollar endeavor and we have full confidence that our products far exceed the quality and effectiveness of current competitors." For more information see http://www.vual.net

	3D television edges closer to reality
3D-News Posted: Friday, September 15, 2006 (5:04 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
It could bring a whole new meaning to the term "reality television". After the introduction of colour displays and high definition images, 3D promises to be the next revolution in visual technology. 3D television offers users an infinitely richer and more entertaining viewing experience without the need to wear headache-inducing special glasses. The Information Society Technologies (IST) sponsored project 3DTV is at the forefront of European efforts to bring the promise of three-dimensional moving images closer to reality. Made up of a consortium of 19 partners, the primary goal of 3DTV is to serve as a network of excellence and to harmonise the expertise of researchers working in fields such as imaging and computer graphics, signal processing, telecommunications, electronics, optics and physics. Project massive in size and scope The consortium is the largest of its kind in the world of 3DTV, both in terms of number of contributing researchers and in terms of its technical scope. Now almost midway through its 4-year project duration, 3DTV has already built up strong momentum in pooling the resources of its various partners, through activities such as technical meetings, joint research work, exchanges, dissemination activities and establishing a common research infrastructure. "Coordinating the research work of about two hundred people from nineteen institutions in seven countries is a continuing challenge," says Levent Onural of Bilkent University, Turkey, coordinator of the 3DTV project. In terms of technical results the team has finished many of its intermediate tasks. "The project technical results so far have been published in about one hundred and forty papers in journals and conferences," Onural explains. "We have working lab prototypes of 3D video capture using multiple cameras. We can process and represent 3D scenes from the captured multi-video sequences, and our proposal for compression of multi-view 3D video data is leading the related ISO-MPEG4 standardisation activities. Furthermore, we can stream stereo-video through the internet, and we have various types of 3D display device prototypes in place." Multiple applications for 3D As well as changing the way television is viewed, the type of imaging technology being developed by 3DTV could have applications in many other fields. Example areas are medicine, dentistry, cultural heritage, air-traffic control, military technologies, entertainment and computer games, to name but a few. While the 3DTV team believes that the project timing is perfect in terms of the current technological environment and consumer demand, they acknowledge that there is still some way to go before viewers will be able to see and directly interact with 3D images in their living rooms. "Dynamic holographic displays for satisfactory holographic motion pictures are still far away," stresses Onural. "Another decade might be needed before they become a commercial reality. However, basic research to investigate these high-end 3D displays is moving forward with considerable momentum." The 3DTV research consortium has already developed and tested several different auto-stereoscopic displays (essentially displays that need no special glasses for viewing 3D images) and has also experimented with holographic techniques using spatial light modulators. In theoretical issues such as digital processing and the generation of holographic and other diffraction-related signals, the team plans to integrate these across the different technological components to achieve end-to-end 3DTV operation. No overnight success "On the technical side, further significant improvements in all technical building blocks of 3DTV can be expected," Onural says. "Stereoscopy-based 3DTV and 3D cinema are expected to be a common form of mass communications in a few years. However, high-end performance and technologies based on holographic techniques probably need another ten years of intensive and extensive research," he adds. While 3DTV is scheduled to complete in 2008, Onural has no doubt that the research and technology advanced by the consortium's network of excellence will endure well into the future. "One of our targets was to achieve a durable integration of researchers. We therefore expect to continue our collective efforts well beyond the lifetime of this project. We expect many spin-off projects, using the current collaboration as a platform, after the 3DTV project ends," he says.

	PHOTOKINA 2006 - What's in it for 3D?
3D-News Posted: Thursday, September 14, 2006 (6:33 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Imaging is more - photokina is more: Starting on September 26, 2006, photokina will once again be setting the standard as the global information and communication platform of the imaging sector, with the latest techniques, products, applications and services. It is the wide range of products on show, which cover the entire scope of the complex imaging market that makes photokina unique. At the same time, the leading trade fair is presenting itself in a new light: The modified concept of the "new photokina" and the premiere in the new Cologne exhibition center ensure that even regular visitors to the show are eagerly awaiting this year's event. It's already clear that photokina will live up to its reputation as the global sector highlight once again this year. The trade fair distinguishes itself in the booming global imaging market by its unique competence in imaging - expertise built up over decades. It is highly regarded by consumers and professionals alike. The fair's popularity among renowned exhibitors is correspondingly high. Around 1,600 suppliers from 50 countries will be presenting at this year's "World of Imaging," with more than 60 percent of them coming from outside Germany. Around 160,000 visitors from 140 countries - mostly professional users and dealers - are expected in Cologne. As in 2002 and 2004, "Stereoscopy.com 3D-News" will be present in order to keep you informed about the latest developments in the 3D-Imaging sector. Regular updates will be published on the website, listing all the 3D-exhibitors, in ascending order by hall number, row and booth/stand number. For "up-to-the-minute" 3D-information and questions, we can be reached by mobile e-mail (use the e-mail address published at http://www.stereoscopy.com/contact) and we will try to reply within one hour during regular Photokina hours.

	Jane Russell to Attend Rare Screening of "The French Line" at the World 3D Film Expo II in Hollywood on Friday, September 15, 2006
3D-News Posted: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 (7:04 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
It was announced last night at the World 3D Film Expo II that Jane Russell has graciously agreed to attend this Friday night's screening of "The French Line" at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. This will be the first time she has seen the film in 3D since its original release. The Expo is running the only surviving 3D print of the film. This print is in dye-transfer ("3-strip") Technicolor and is the very rare uncensored version. Screening is at 9:45 PM, this Friday, September 15th. Tickets are available only at the Egyptian Theatre Box Office. The Box Office opens at 5 PM on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and at 9 AM on Wednesday. Tickets are not available online or by telephone or fax. In other Expo news: The only "Golden Age of 3D" director still alive is Roy Ward Baker ("Inferno"). The organizers have videotaped a new interview with Mr. Baker in London, and this will be shown before this Wednesday's screening of the film at 9:45. The Expo is running the only surviving dye-transfer 3D print of "Inferno". "Kiss Me Kate" will be heard in its original 3-track magnetic stereo sound configuration (as opposed to Dolby Stereo or mono). This will be the first time the film has been seen and heard in its original release format in Los Angeles in over 50 years. This only surviving dye-transfer Technicolor print is also being shown in wide screen, again for the first time in years. The "buzz" of the Expo has been: What is being run for the very special "Rarities" show on Sunday afternoon at 1 PM? The Expo never announces its Rarities program in advance, with the exception of one title (and this year, that title is "Thrills For You", a 1939 film not seen since it was shown at the San Francisco Exhibition, and considered a lost film since then). But it has been strongly suggested that 3D History is likely to be made during the show; in fact, the 3D History books will need some re-writing after the screening. Expo website: http://www.3dfilmfest.com

	JVC and SENSIO join forces to present the future of 3D TV at the 2006 edition of CEDIA
3D-News Posted: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 (6:49 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
SENSIO Technologies Inc. announced that it will be joining forces with JVC, one of the world's leading consumer electronics giants to present the DLA-HRM3D, a rear-projection television set powered by SENSIO(R) technology. Designed for the professional market, the DLA-HRM3D technology will be used as the platform for future 3D television sets. Its premier launch will take place at the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association ("CEDIA") exhibition, to be held at the Denver Performing Arts Center - Ricketson Theater, in Denver, Colorado from September 14 - 17, 2006. The CEDIA EXPO brings together 30,000 industry professionals from over 100 countries. The President of SENSIO, Nicholas Routhier, expressed his pleasure at once more collaborating with JVC for this new edition of CEDIA. "JVC is undoubtedly one of the leaders in the ongoing race to develop tomorrow's 3D television, and SENSIO is proud to be associated with such an innovative company. The DLA-HRM3D requires a very specific format to deliver 3D images. For SENSIO, this was a new challenge that we thoroughly enjoyed meeting, and has allowed us to once again demonstrate SENSIO's great versatility." For his part, the spokesperson for JVC, Mr. Rod Sterling, Chief Engineer for JVC North America R&D Center declared that he was "delighted and very proud to be able to take the opportunity of such a major environment as CEDIA EXPO to introduce JVC's most cutting edge technology, a technology that will provide professionals with a solution of exceptional quality, in strategic alignment with our future products."

	Sharks 3D Hits the $20 Million Mark
3D-News Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 (6:13 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Three million viewers experience a close encounter with the lions and tigers of the ocean at IMAX theatres with 3D Entertainment's latest adventure 3D Entertainment Ltd. is announced that SHARKS 3D, presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is accelerating its roll-out at IMAX theatres around the world and has been licensed at 71 locations in 17 countries to date. The film has drawn 3 million viewers worldwide so far, with box office revenues standing at $20.1 million ($11.9 million domestically), and established itself as the second-highest grossing IMAX theatre documentary film released in 2005. SHARKS 3D offers audiences, for the very first time in 3D on an IMAX screen, an astonishing up-close encounter with these wild, fascinating and endangered animals that have been in existence since a million years before the dinosaurs roamed the earth. The film has been described by the Houston Chronicle as "an upbeat ecological lesson about maintaining nature's balance" and by the Chicago Sun-Times as the "impressive work of director Jean-Jacques Mantello and a crew of daredevil underwater cinematographers led by Gavin McKinney." "We are particularly proud of the film's fast growing popularity, especially in light of the fact that we announced the film surpassed the 2 million viewers mark just five months ago," said 3D Entertainment's Chairman François Mantello. "Both the final month of the school year and the summer season represented strong attendance peaks with 725,000 tickets sold. These spectacular results were achieved thanks to both the continuous commitment of current clients such as Boston's New England Aquarium, Galveston's Moody Gardens, the Tennessee Aquarium and the Virginia Aquarium, as well as highly-successful and popular launches at IMAX theatres in Dallas (TX), Omaha (NE), Prague (Czech Republic), London, Bristol and Bradford (UK), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Osaka (Japan) and Garza Garcia (Mexico)." SHARKS 3D is available in 3D, 2D and specially re-formatted Dome versions. It has already been shown at 58 IMAX theatres and will soon open domestically in San Antonio (TX), Charleston (SC), West Nyack (NY), Raleigh (NC), Indianapolis (IN) and Fort Lauderdale (FL). The film is also scheduled to be launched internationally in Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and Oviedo (Spain), Cuajimalpa (Mexico D.F., Mexico), Lodz (Poland) and Sofia (Bulgaria). "I am thrilled that our film continues to receive such acclaim from audiences from all corners of the globe. My purpose in making this documentary was to lead people to think differently and positively about sharks," said the film's director, Jean-Jacques Mantello." This film makes a very strong and compelling argument for shark conservation by shedding new light on the urgent need to protect these endangered animals." For Jean-Michel Cousteau, the film's ambassador, "Sharks deserve our attention and protection, as they can't survive this onslaught. If even a handful of the three million moviegoers to have seen this film have come away with a heightened awareness of the importance of marine conservation, the oceans will be better off." SHARKS 3D is the second instalment in 3D Entertainment's inspiring trilogy of marine-themed stereoscopic films for IMAX theatres. The first episode, OCEAN WONDERLAND 3D, which sheds light on the crucial function of the endangered coral reef system, was released in February 2003 in association with UNEP and the WWF. The film has grossed over $26 million in revenue and is still playing at select IMAX theatres in the US, Western Europe, Japan and Australia. DOLPHINS & WHALES 3D (wt), the third and final episode in the series, is currently being shot at various locations around the world. SHARKS 3D is produced by 3D Entertainment and McKinney Underwater Productions Inc. Directed by Jean-Jacques Mantello, filmed by Gavin McKinney and executive produced by Francois Mantello, SHARKS 3D features an original score composed by Christophe Jacquelin and performed by the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra. SHARKS 3D is distributed worldwide by 3D Entertainment in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme and is endorsed and supported by Ocean Futures Society, Reef Check and PADI's Project Aware. SHARKS 3D is recommended for general audiences and has been rated "Universal" by the British Board of Film Classification (equivalent to a MPAA "G"rating ). Official website: http://www.sharks3D.com

	High-precision chassis measurement: A new kind of optical axle measurement system from Bosch receives worldwide BMW approval
3D-News Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 (6:02 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Bosch and BMW have cooperated closely on the development of the "KDS new generation", a new and innovative optical axle measurement system. The system has now been approved by the BMW Group for worldwide use by the servicing operations for the BMW, mini and Rolls-Royce brands. It is the first optical axle measurement system that records the wheel position through contact-free 3D imaging technology, and simultaneously measures the vehicle height in real time. A system is now therefore available to authorized BMW Group workshops which supplies the highly precise measurements needed for the accurate adjustment of modern car chassis in a very short time. Information is available on the Internet describing the technology and advantages of the KTS new generation at the dedicated website that has been set up at http://www.optischundschnell.de and at http://www.bosch-diagnostics-oes.de. It is planned to introduce the optical axle measurement system to the independent aftermarket in the second half of 2007. Thanks to the short setup time and easy handling, the time needed for axle measurement using the KTS new generation is significantly shorter than on conventional systems. The axle measurement system acquires the data describing the chassis geometry without contact, using stereoscopic measurement and 3D imaging. For this reason, its mechanical parts are not subject to wear. As a result, the highly precise measurement offered by the system, and the reproducibility of its results, are retained throughout its entire service life. The KTS new generation works with the aid of chassis marks that are both easy to apply and to remove again, instead of the sensitive wheel sensors that are used on conventional systems. The chassis marks are attached along all the wheel housings and to each wheel using magnetic adapters. The setup time for the axle measurement is extremely short. In order to take the measurement, the vehicle drives slowly past the four measuring pillars that are located around the measuring bay. Meanwhile, two high-resolution video cameras for stereoscopic measurement on each measuring pillar record the chassis and wheel marks. Within a fraction of a second, the computer at the heart of the measuring system processes the image data, so that the kingpin angle and the tracking have been measured by the time the measuring bay has been entered. Compensation for the rim edge is also integrated into the input measurement. In addition, the height of the vehicle is measured automatically, and the corresponding required values are calculated. If the height changes, the required values are automatically updated, and the system compensates automatically for any inclination of the lifting platform.

	ASSIMILATE and Cobalt Entertainment Deliver First Real-time Stereoscopic 3D Digital Workflow
3D-News Posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 (6:24 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Filmmakers can reduce the 3D post process from months or weeks, to days or hours 3D is bringing an impactful and magical experience back to feature films, recapturing audience excitement and making a contribution to the bottom lines of filmmakers/studios within the entertainment industry. ASSIMILATE with SCRATCH and Cobalt Entertainment have teamed to offer a powerful, real-time stereoscopic/3D digital workflow and pipeline capability, running on a BOXX workstation, that potentially reduces the 3D post process from months or weeks to as little as days or hours. The companies will debut their joint effort at the first public demo during IBC 06. The compelling, high-performance DI demo for stereoscopic/3D is matched by its price/performance value that meets the budgets of both large studios and independent filmmakers, enabling more audiences to experience the thrill of 3D. Why Stereoscopic 3D Now? New digital tools are the solution to everything that did not work with earlier attempts at creating and exhibiting stereo/3D images. The past limitations of 3D production included extremely heavy equipment, excessively long production schedules, noisy cameras, long set-up procedures, and days if not weeks to assemble and view dailies. Cobalt's digital 3ality Systems™ cameras are lightweight and silent, utilize advanced image processing, are digitally synchronized, provide instantaneous dailies, and enable production schedules that match a standard 2D schedule. Prior attempts at theatrical 3D exhibition were severely compromised by projector misalignment, synchronization problems, and color/density mismatches between the two projectors. In the new digitally equipped cinemas, 3D images are projected from a single DLP projector, which projects both 2D and 3D content with the same ease. The single projector solution completely eliminates registration, color, and sync issues, thereby guaranteeing an optimal audience experience. ASSIMILATE's SCRATCH Data-Centric Workflow Solution at Work SCRATCH™ is the only DI software solution that is capable of providing 3D screening directly out of the system without any additional processing. By utilizing the dual-DVI outputs on the nVidia Quadro FX cards and the functionality of the SCRATCH CONstruct, users can create a timeline with right-eye material on one layer and left-eye material on another. The two clips can be edited as a single instance and color grading, or other effects data, can be easily applied and copied. Once any editorial fine-tuning and color grading has been applied, the dual-stream stereo imagery can be output directly from SCRATCH to the screen for review. Jeff Edson, CEO of ASSIMILATE, explains, "This new 3D capability is a big win for SCRATCH users. Filmmakers and post houses need high-performance digital tools that keep them at the forefront of industry trends like 3D for viewing audiences, and they can no longer pay an arm and a leg to get them. These users are looking for streamlined solutions that work together, allow them to create and experiment, deliver quality output, and enable a profit. Together with Cobalt Entertainment, we're making this a reality for stereoscopic 3D today." SCRATCH stereoscopic/3D: Viewing of stereoscopic material immediately without the need for additional post-processing Simultaneous editing of left/right eye clips, minimizing errors and simplifying the conform process Apply and copy color grading and other manipulations to both eyes quickly and easily Instant stereo editing and dailies Cobalt Entertainment's 3D Imaging Tools To provide a totally new capability within the film industry, Cobalt is expanding its 3D image processing tools to seamlessly integrate within SCRATCH to deliver an efficient, real-time 3D post-production suite. Cobalt's client list includes major motion picture studios and indies, all who will benefit from the efficiency of this new 3D post-production tool suite, as well as the real-time review of dailies and on-the-fly color correction in the Cobalt 2k viewing suite. Steve Schklair, CEO of Cobalt Entertainment, notes "Being at the forefront of enabling quality 3D films is a continual adrenaline rush. We have several great projects in development that are going to wow audiences worldwide. Our business is making 3D easy for filmmakers so that they can expand their creativity and deliver a high-resolution film or digital product, and it only gets better from here. We are completing construction of a new 20,000 square foot studio in Burbank, which will make real-time 3D post and viewing simpler."

	Shanghai Media Group plans to launch 3D TV channel
3D-News Posted: Friday, September 8, 2006 (8:39 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Shanghai Media Group (SMG), the second largest broadcaster in China, is planning to launch China's first 3D TV channel to expand its presence in the country's TV market. "We are applying to the SARFT (State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television) for a license that allows us to operate a 3D TV channel," an SMG official said. However, as the license is still pending, there is no definite timetable for commercial launch. According to the official, there are currently three types of 3D TV technologies available. The first one is paste special membrane on TV screen, the second way is the use 3D enabled TV sets, and the third option requires TV viewers to wear glasses. "We are in talks with several foreign technology vendors and we have not decided which technology we are going to use," the official said. The 3D channel, once it is up and running, will be a new pay channel under Shanghai Interactive Television (SiTV), a pay TV operating platform under SMG. SMG is the first Chinese company to win IPTV and mobile TV licenses from the SARFT. At present, SMG operates a series of new media services including IPTV, mobile TV, and broadband TV, in addition to its traditional TV production and supply. "We have been actively looking at new technologies and new opportunities for future growth," the official said.

	Boeing KC-767 Tanker Advanced Camera System Improves Aerial Refueling Safety
3D-News Posted: Thursday, September 7, 2006 (12:54 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
With two aircraft flying about 50 feet apart at hundreds of miles per hour, aerial refueling, even under the most ideal conditions, is an exacting maneuver. Boeing's KC-767 Tanker recently demonstrated technology that will improve safety for tanker aircrews and the airplanes receiving critical fuel. Using a series of cameras mounted on the tanker's fuselage, the KC-767 Remote Vision System (RVS) provides high-definition stereoscopic imagery to the aircraft's boom operator stationed behind the KC-767 cockpit. Boeing flight crews recently activated the RVS while on a test flight and evaluated the system using a Cessna Citation in the receiver's position. "This advanced technology will give KC-767 aircrews wingtip-to-wingtip visibility behind their aircraft," said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president for Tanker Programs. "In addition to improving safety, RVS will enhance all- weather, day/night refueling capabilities for military forces around the world." Following the RVS flight, Boeing KC-767 crews flew to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where they completed two weeks of takeoff performance testing and certification required by the Federal Aviation Administration. Since its first flight in May 2005, the KC-767 Tanker has logged more than 120 flights and 360 hours. Boeing is building tankers for both Italy and Japan, with delivery to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in February 2007, followed by delivery to Italy in mid-2007. In addition to flight-testing the KC-767 for international customers, Boeing is competing for a contract to build the U.S. Air Force's next- generation tanker aircraft.

	Happy Feet to be shown in 2D instead of IMAX 3D
3D-News Posted: Thursday, September 7, 2006 (12:35 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Warner Bros. Pictures has scrapped its plans to release George Miller's upcoming animated musical comedy "Happy Feet" in IMAX 3D. The movie, which hits conventional theaters on November 17, will now play in IMAX 2D on the same date instead. IMAX Corporation announced last October that the film would be digitally converted into IMAX 3D. Warner Bros. tells us that the reason for the change is that there is not enough time to convert the film to 3D by November 17. However, the film might still get a 3D release at a later date. Happy Feet is set deep in Antarctica. Into the land of Emperor Penguins, where each needs a heart song to attract a soul mate, a penguin is born who cannot sing. Our hero Mumble, son of Memphis and Norma Jean, is the worst singer in the world - however, as it happens, he is a brilliant tap dancer. The movie is voiced by Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Hugo Weaving.

	Single Lens Single Chip DLP 3D Projector
3D-News Posted: Tuesday, September 5, 2006 (18:41 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
digital IMAGE is presenting a new single lens single chip DLP 3D projector at EUROGRAPHICS2006 in Vienna, Austria. The unit is based on a projectiondesign F1 projector and presents stereo images at a 1400x1050 Pixel resolution at 120 Hz. Its dual input design allows maximum 3D performance. Since shutter glasses are used, no special screen is required. Thanks to its single lens design, the images are perfectly aligned, bright and crisp because no filters are used and 100% of the light is used for image generation. Channel separation is 100% since DMD Mirrors swap with more than 10kHz. Detailed datasheets are available at http://www.cube3d2.de. The projector is available now, starting at 27,000 Euro, plus tax.

	Annual Holo-pack•Holo-print Conference to be Held in Vienna in November 2006
3D-News Posted: Monday, September 4, 2006 (18:49 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Holo-pack•Holo-print is more than just a conference. It is also a tradeshow, the venue for the AGM of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA), and the opportunity for the presentation of the annual Excellence in Holography Awards takes place. As the definitive annual event for the holography industry organised by Reconnaissance International, it provides the only forum where designers, manufacturers, suppliers and users of holograms and hologram production equipment and materials suppliers, can gather together to discuss, inform and investigate the latest technologies and commercial developments in the dynamic and fast-growing holography industry. There were over 250 participants at Holo-pack•Holo-print 2005, making it the largest yet, since Reconnaissance International first began running these annual events 16 years ago. Over one third of these delegates were from China, where the industry is growing fastest and is now the second largest producer in the world after the US. Information about this year's Holo-pack•Holo-print has been distributed in Mandarin in response to requests from Chinese producers, who now want to attend regularly to stay up to date with the latest information. There were also a record number of sponsors and exhibitors – including, again, a substantial number from China who took the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and technologies to their counterparts from elsewhere in Asia and the world for the first time. The products and techniques from both these and the other exhibitors from the US, Europe and India, ranged from origination technologies and systems to production and application equipment, base materials and films. This year, the hologram industry's annual conference and tradeshow will take place at the Hilton Am Stadtpark in Vienna on November 15-17, 2006. As in previous years, the conference will focus on new technologies and markets for holography across the spectrum of authentication, brand enhancement and industrial applications. Specific areas of interest include the re-emergence of silver halide and display holography, the return to classical holograms for security, government applications for holograms, dealing with counterfeits, new optical security technologies and the growth of the industry in Eastern Europe. The programme will also feature updates on some of the groundbreaking developments in holography presented at previous Holo-pack•Holo-print conferences. Alongside the conference will be the tradeshow of new technologies, equipment and products - an annual feature of Holo-pack•Holo-print that is growing in size and stature to provide a yardstick of innovation in the industry as well as an opportunity for suppliers to showcase and make sales of their latest developments. A record number of companies have already reserved their space, including Chinese companies, ensuring that this tradeshow will again provide valuable information on the latest in hologram production equipment and materials. For additional information on the Holo-pack•Holo-print Conference and Trade Show in Vienna, please visit http://www.holopackholoprint.info

	Russel Wright View-Master Reels available
3D-News Posted: Monday, September 4, 2006 (18:45 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
One of the most important innovators of industrial design for the home, Russel Wright (1904-1976) designed his own residence in Garrison, New York, on the edge of a reclaimed granite quarry. The house, known as Dragon Rock, and the surrounding woodland garden, Manitoga, were designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006 and are documented in this packet of seven full-color 3-dimension images in the View-Master® format. "Russel Wright: Dragon Rock" is currently available by direct order from View Productions, complete with black Model L View-Master viewer ($25 postpaid) or as a stand-alone packet only without viewer ($15 postpaid). To order by mail, send a check or money order to View Productions, PO Box 11835, Knoxville TN 37939. Specify quantity and shipping address. To order by PayPal, go to http://paypal.com and use orders@viewproductions.com as a pay address. The packet will also be available from http://www.3dstereo.com/ and http://www.berezin.com/3d/

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