It’s hardly the first 3D scanner (and it certainly won’t be the last) but this giant sphere builds stunning 3D models of nearly anything you care to place inside, and it does so completely automatically. The Orcam Orbital Camera System has seven cameras and loads of lightulbs inside to illuminate and capture objects from many angles at a time, and its creators at Germany’s Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) claim the resulting 3D geometry is accurate down to the submillimeter. Really, though, the results speak for themselves. Just take a look at the texture and reflections cast by a gorgeous digitally reproduced urn in the video below. If only we had as accurate a 3D printer to go with it, so our Star Trek replication dreams could be fulfilled.
Orcam sphere digitally reconstructs 3D models of priceless artifacts (video)
The Orcam Orbital Camera System has seven cameras and loads of lightulbs inside to illuminate and capture objects from many angles at a time, and it builds stunning 3D models of most anything you care to place inside.
The Orcam Orbital Camera System has seven cameras and loads of lightulbs inside to illuminate and capture objects from many angles at a time, and it builds stunning 3D models of most anything you care to place inside.
is a senior editor and founding member of The Verge who covers gadgets, games, and toys. He spent 15 years editing the likes of CNET, Gizmodo, and Engadget.
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