Saturday, February 10, 2007

Virtual Dog on a real couch

So, we are really into ways to integrate the virtual world with real physical space. Im not talking about things like Second Life, but things like our Virtual Dog. Basically, this is just an example of a single channel starter kit for what we refer to as "Augmented Reality" (AR).

When we use AR, it is acutally the opposite of the type of thing that a lot of people are used to. People like T-Immersion map 3D graphics into a video feed in real time using tracking software to maniuplate the video feed.

We like to use AR that is visible to the naked eye, and actually fools people to make them ask "did you just see something over there?"

The next step for this type of application is to map an entire space in projection and then build interactive projected elements into the space. Applicaitons for this type of technology are unlimited and luckily, we are kind of leading the charge for bringing this type of thing out of the lab, and into practical applications.

check it out



Oh, and that is Fortune, our Jack Russell.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Blend of art and conference room table

Ever wonder what happens when you map your boring old conference room and map it with HD video? Well, this is what we came up with.

The real trick to this is where the projector is placed. We are able to hit the table at such an angle as to not cause shadows.

Monday, February 5, 2007

Ultimate Video Environment

So, one of our favorite corporate clients, Symantec, came to us and asked us to build something that would blow their clients away as they came into their conference. We thought about it and came up with the concept of a video tunnel. The problem was, well, there were many:

1. How do we build a perfect surface to project on? Answer, you dont. solution: fabricate a tunnel screen that is as taught is it can be, and then calibrate the projectors to match the surface.

2. How do you design video to span a 4,000 pixel screen that has both sag and tension in different areas? Answer: pre-design the space in 3D then remap the video to the new mesh. Complex? you bet.

3. How do you fly 4 16,000 lumen projectors at different heights, at different angles and with different areas of coverage for the screen and expect a seamless image? Answer: you dont. That is where the Obscura magic comes in.

Check it out: