6Sight 2012: Imaging and Augmented Reality

Our own Jeff Franklin joined analysts, innovators, and experts in imaging and Augmented Reality in New York City for the 6Sight Conference. Jeff was part of a panel that discussed Augmented Reality and intelligent imaging – being able to determine various types of information from an image such as object and facial recognition – and image context. Image context includes being at a dinner party and photos from the party are searchable with information related to the dinner party. The purpose of intelligent imaging is that people take a large quantity of pictures, so information is attached to the images for quick retrieval when searched. This is a fast moving field and full of emerging technology, so expect to hear more! What were hot topics at the conference? They included mobile cameras improving in quality, being able to share pictures easier (think a “connected camera”), intelligent imaging, and, of course, augmented reality.

Jeff Photo

Jeff Franklin (center) on the Imaging and Augmented Reality panel at 6Sight (photo courtesy Joe Byrd).


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Shaderlight Cloud Rendering for SketchUp Now Available!

Limitless and ArtVPS, the makers of Shaderlight for SketchUp, are pleased to announce that the award-winning Shaderlight Cloud Rendering is now available! The Shaderlight Cloud is the first, and only, SketchUp rendering plug-in to use the power of the cloud to deliver high quality photorealistic renderings fast without tying up your desktop. If you are not yet a Shaderlight user, there is a 14 day free trial available to test it out.

Shaderlight Scene

A frame from a Shaderlight Cloud Rendering animation, courtesy of Shaderlight (please click for full 720p image).

We have been in beta testing for a while with some great SketchUp users before going live. Landscape architect Daniel Tal was one of our testers and noted that the cloud reduces animation render times, “The system is also ideal for rendering animations – putting them in reach for most companies and SketchUp users. Using the Shaderlight Cloud Rendering service allows designers to generate beautiful rendered animations clearly articulating design themes and ideas.” Eric Schimelpfenig, specialist in 3D solutions for kitchen and bathrooms and founder of Sketchthis.net, observed that the addition of cloud rendering to Shaderlight is a big speed improvement. In his own words: “This new version of Shaderlight takes your ordinary machine and straps a rocket pack to it. Renders have never looked so good, so fast.”

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