ENLIGHTEN3D

By Joshua Koopferstock

Reaching from 3D displays, web-based 3D, and 3D modeling to new advanced computer vision algorithms, the 3D world is vast and moving at an incredible pace. Innovation abounds in the 3D world, and if you don’t lower your head and sprint along with it, you’re probably going to see it pass you by.

Think of us as your new pair of running shoes. Our goal with the ENLIGHTEN3D blog is to explore the diverse reaches of the 3D industry and bring together sectors that have been drifting far apart. We’re doing this because we believe, for example, that the algorithms created by Noah Snavely (lead researcher on PhotoSynth) have an impact on the business of Linden Lab (founders of Second Life virtual world), and we want to talk about it. We see companies using some of the simplest 3D technologies to make a disproportionately big splash (think Apple’s iPod album scrolling), and other companies trying to use cutting edge 3D tech and not making the splash they’d hoped for (poor My Virtual Model).

We’re going to discuss how they did it, why it’s working or it’s failing, and where it might lead. And we’re doing it both from a business and technology slant. The ENLIGHTEN3D blog enlists the contributions of two authors, mashing together their respective technical know-how and marketing savvy.

This blog is for anyone who is constantly amazed by the world of 3D and its potential. We certainly are. If you are a computer vision specialist, this blog is for you. If you’re like me and programming code means nothing to you, then this blog is for you too. We are going to discuss 3D business and technology in a way that any geeky business person or literate programmer (just because you can read C++ doesn’t mean you can read. Zing!) can understand. We hope that our readers come with diverse backgrounds and will set us straight when we get too tech-speak or our business ideas start to enter the “only in Star Trek” realm.

That blur that just passed you was the whole field of 3D, so lace up those new shoes and get running! If you’re falling behind the pack, don’t worry; we’ll be here to poke you in the rump and get you up to speed.