Lynx Laboratories Launches 3D Camera

Startup company Lynx Laboratories [1] has launched what it claims to be the first 3D capture device, the Lynx A Camera, which can digitize both the shape and motion of what it sees.

It's not a conventional camera, but it's like a camera -- particularly when it comes to learning curve and ease of use. If you can use a point-and-shoot Nikon, you'll find the Lynx even easier to use. Instead of outputting 2D images, it produces 3D models of whatever you point it at.

The camera does three things: scene modeling, object modeling, and motion capture. The goal is to capture high-quality content that would otherwise be made by hand today, much like what the 2D camera did for oil painting: five hour 3D modeling tasks can be done in just seconds, animators can have a motion capture studio in their backpack, reducing the total amount of time required to animate, and directors can use accurate 3D models to plan shots during pre-visualization. People who are into 3D printing (makers) will also have a new way to gather 3D models -- capturing them. Imagine a 3D scanner next to every printer, allowing you to image and replicate objects without touching modeling software.

Take a look at some of the features of the Lynx A camera in the video below:

With a price point roughly equal to that of full-framed DSLR camera, the Lynx device could be a serious value for small outfits and innovators trying to break into these technologies.

Most of the folks at Lynx Laboratories are students at the University of Texas at Austin, and the technology came from research conducted by the group at the university. The team is comprised of former UT students and one college professor, with over a combined 15 years of expertise in computer vision. Each person on the team is involved with customer projects and communities, talking to VFX artists, architects and makers daily. The company has also launched a Kickstarter campaign [2] in support of the project, which kicked off today.

Source: Lynx Laboratories