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MillimeterIntel Software Delivers Interactive, Realistic 3-D Graphics On PC
Oct 14, 2002 12:00 PM
Technology to Enable More Realistic 3-D Games; Better 3-D Scanners
INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, MOSCOW, Russia-- Intel Corporation researchers have released software that allows developers to build interactive 3-D graphics that correctly model the way light reflects off of real objects and surfaces. The software will enable game developers and researchers to bring a level of photo-realism to their interactive 3-D creations formerly reserved for high-end movie special effects.
The software is based on Intel's Light Field Mapping (LFM) technology that efficiently and compactly models the reflective properties of light interacting with 3-D objects and environments -- like a ray of sunlight reflecting off of a bronze statue. It is available at no cost through Intel's Open Source Light Field Mapping tool kit (Open Light Fields), which consists of software for composition of 3-D images from digital photos and code for playback of the LFM objects. Developers can use the code as is or modify it for use in their applications.
"We expect our Light Field Mapping technology to accelerate research in photo-realistic computer graphics and bring the full richness of the visual world to the desktop," said Justin Rattner, Intel Fellow and director of Intel's Microprocessor Research Lab. "Until we introduced Light Field Mapping last year, only high-end movie animators and special-effects developers portrayed the complex reflective properties of light interacting with objects." Accelerating Research for New Uses
In addition to working with leading graphics-hardware suppliers to assure that LFM is compatible with their graphics technology, Intel is working with 3-D image scanning companies to provide an automatic and affordable source for 3-D LFM-compatible scanned images. Intel also is collaborating with Mitsubishi Electric Research Lab on future enhancements to LFM, including the capability to visualize objects with complex geometries, such as those that occur in nature. It is working with Stanford University on technology for compressing and streaming of light fields. Open Light Fields can be downloaded at www.intel.com/research/mrl/research/lfm/.
Open Light Fields is one of Intel's Open Research initiatives, which also includes OpenCV, an open-source computer-vision library, and OpenRT, an open-source runtime platform. Open-source programs enable Intel researchers and thousands of advanced application researchers around the world to collaborate and accelerate their work. This cooperation enables Intel to get feedback on potential requirements for future microprocessors.
The Open Light Fields software team resides at the Intel Russia Research Center (IRRC) in Nihzniy Novgorod, Russia, one of Intel's four international microprocessor research centers. Established in 2001, the IRRC currently employs more than 30 computer researchers who work in such areas as computer graphics, computer vision, media and statistical computing.
Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom
