The PhoneScope 3D from Spatial Vision and Design offers
high-resolution magnified 3D scanning that can have applications for
users ranging from forensics specialists to CGI animators. But its
developers mostly just want people to have fun with the iPhone add-ons.
After years in development, PhoneScope 3D is now raising funds on Kickstarter.
The PhoneScope 3D differentiates itself from other iPhone 3D scanning
apps and attachments with a macro lens that magnifies the iPhone’s
camera view by up to five times. A light lens attachment clips onto the
lens and uses ultra-bright LEDs diffused through glass developed by
Spatial Vision and Design to distribute light evenly and reduce coning.
The lens clip, designed to have a low profile and fit over an iPhone
bumper, is made from plasma-polished stainless steel, while the light
lens attachment is built from aircraft-grade anodized aluminum. The
light lens is placed directly over the object being scanned, which means
that although there are size limitations, the subject can be rendered in greater detail. The PhoneScope 3D is meant to be used with specially designed desktop software and scans can be turned into 3D prints.
Developer B.J. Rao
says his aim with the PhoneScope 3D is to build awareness of 3D
scanning. Potential users include “a dermatologist or forensics
specialist who now has greater means to examine, review and store visual
information,” said Rao. With its affordability and ease of use, the set
is also a fun introduction to high-resolution 3D scanning.
Spatial Vision & Design,
a startup with locations in St. Louis, Amsterdam, and Seoul, develops
mobile software and hardware focusing on vision technologies. B.J. Rao
said that he and partners Vijay Rao and Lazlo Kleczewski have wanted to
create an app and hardware combination for the iPhone since it was first
released by Apple, but the project was put on hold several times over
the years because of lack of funding. The trio’s prior hardware
experience includes developing and calibrating photolithography
machines. B.J. Rao has worked with institutions such as the Museum Gouda in Amsterdam, where he helped develop a 3D scanning technology for an exhibit that allowed visitors to interact with fragile artifacts without handling them.
PhoneScope 3D software is currently available for Windows only, but Rao says their target for OSX support is April or May 2013.
Pre-orders begin at $39 for the early bird special, which comes with a
lens clip. The team’s goal is to raise $50,000 on Kickstarter before
January 8, with a target delivery date of March 2013 for the lens clips
and April 2013 for the sets with the lens clip and light lens
attachment.
source: http://techcrunch.com by Catherine Shu
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