Creator of ProFORMA 3D scanning system talks details, availability
By Donald Melanson 
posted November 27th 2009 4:49AM
posted November 27th 2009 4:49AM
Still a bit curious how the ProFORMA system developed at Cambridge University can turn any old webcam into a fairly advanced 3D scanner? Then settle in for a few minutes, as the researcher behind the project, Qi Pan, has taken a bit of time to chat with the Shapeways blog about the how the system came to fruition and its potential availability to the public. Interestingly, he actually started out trying to model outdoor scenes, but moved to smaller objects after discovering that the processing power required was beyond his reach. That led to about a year and half of work on the current system, which works in two stages: the first being a tracker that works out the position and orientation of the object relative to the camera, and the second being the reconstruction stage, which seems to be as effortless to use as it is complicated to explain. Perhaps the best news, however, is that Qi says he soon plans to release a Linux-based demo to the general public, and a Windows version shortly thereafter.
That's pretty cool. I can imagine it becoming more accurate and streamlined over time, people who make mods or even video game developers could make tons of 3d assets from real objects quite fast and easily.
Yep, he's going to pass his PhD viva.
@LondonConsultant I wonder how his defense will work. Will judges provide him with a random object to scan?
@bigcow05 a mirror?
@(Unverified) or a clear glass sphere
what kindof webcam is that Logitech pro 9000 or vision pro?
I really, really hope that Qi Pan has an eye to commercialisation of this and will earn not just his Ph. D. but some financial rewards as well.
I'm looking forward to the demo and happy to pay money for a full version, it's one of the more practical pieces of research I've seen.
Qi Pan if you read this ... thank you and well done.
Can't wait to try this out
With all the limitation it seems like stuff that's not that innovative, more something a hacker would present on his webpage.
@Wwhat
"What" is an appropriate name... it's what I was thinking when I read your post.
@Wwhat Keep in my that these algorithms require lot of horse power for now, but if this thing goes open source it could keep getting better. Also with computers getting faster and faster this could get even more powerfull and mainstream as well.
I've seen things like this before a couple years ago. Is this any better?
Score another point for Linux!
come on, bring it to Mac.
Amazing news. Imagine what could be done, especially by an average person. Someone who makes flash games could integrate many many things into this.
Qi Pan u r brilliant
"was beyond his reach." - let's sponsor him.