Re: <documenta X><blast> more jeopardy surfaces (fwd)

{ brad brace } (bbrace@wired.com)
Wed, 23 Jul 1997 08:50:58 -0700 (PDT)

Cyberware Announces Major Breakthrough In 3D Technology

Whole Body Scans in Seconds

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Monterey, CA - no date assigned - A major advancement in 3D digital
technology was announced today by David Addleman, President of Cyberware,
with the development of the world's first whole body 3D scanner.

... provides highly detailed, three-dimensional images of the entire body
in digital form for display and manipulation at computer graphics work
stations, is the first of its kind.

EG&G Idaho, specialists in optical data techniques for the Idaho National
Engineering Laboratory, has purchased the first model of the Cyberware
Whole Body Scanner to do evaluation for the United States Air Force. The
USAF expects benefit from the innovative scanners' use in equipment
design; projects ranging from form-fitting flight suits to space helmets
that have to fit within hundredths of a millimeter can be improved by the
technology, according to Vance Deason of EG&G Idaho.

Cyberware, of Monterey, California, pioneered the use of 3D color scanners
for special effects animation and design work with scale models. Cyberware
scanners have made possible the digitized special effects seen in dozens
of films including "Jurassic Park", "Batman Returns",... the first to be
internationally respected by doctors, engineers, researchers,
manufacturers and artists.

0 to 60,000 In One Second

The Whole Body Scanner is as accurate as it is fast. The scan produces up
to 60,000 3D measurements per second and can cover the human form in just
twenty seconds, thus making antiquated anthropologic measurements
obsolete. Mounted on vertical towers, optical heads scan a cylindrical
volume with a diameter of 1.2 meters and a height of two meters. The
multiple scans are then "zippered" to create a highly-detailed, color 3D
model. "We're going from a few point measurements to a few million in just
a very short time," noted Vance Deason of EG&G Idaho. "We expect there
will be numerous applications."

As with other Cyberware rapid 3D digitizers and software tools, the Whole
Body Scanner is as practical as it is powerful. In a variety of work
environments, the scanner can dramatically improve efficiency, accuracy
and cost effectiveness of projects. The Whole Body Scanner will be on
demonstration at Cyberware in the Fall of 1994. First orders are scheduled
for delivery in January 1995.

Cyberware manufactures a variety of user-friendly hardware and software
products for rapid 3D color scanning. Cyberware products, which will
digitize virtually any object, are being used by doctors, engineers,
researchers, manufacturers, artists and film makers worldwide.

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<< I'm currently arranging the means to have myself scanned -- an
expensive process at $2500/hr/one-hr-minimum. >>

--
brad brace <bbrace@wired.com>
prepress specialist
wired magazine, sfo