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PC 'rebuilds Rome in a day' using pictures from Flickr | PC 'rebuilds Rome in a day' using pictures from Flickr |
(17 days later) | |
3D models of famous landmarks such as Rome's Colosseum have been href="http://www.cs.unc.edu/~jmf/rome_on_a_cloudless_day/" >recreated using millions of pictures from photo-sharing websites such as Flickr. | |
The images were analysed by a modified home PC and detailed models created in less than a day. | The images were analysed by a modified home PC and detailed models created in less than a day. |
The team behind the system think it may help preserve heritage sites, ensuring they don't end up swamped by tourists. | The team behind the system think it may help preserve heritage sites, ensuring they don't end up swamped by tourists. |
It was created by researchers from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Swiss university, ETH-Zurich. | |
The technique of using millions of photos to recreate detailed scenes has previously been demonstrated by Microsoft with its PhotoSynth technology. | The technique of using millions of photos to recreate detailed scenes has previously been demonstrated by Microsoft with its PhotoSynth technology. |
A technique built by researchers at the University of Washington also aimed to recreate famous sites. | A technique built by researchers at the University of Washington also aimed to recreate famous sites. |
But these other systems have needed powerful clusters of computers to perform the necessary image analysis, said Professor Marc Pollefeys. | |
His team, led by Professor Jan-Michael Frahm, used a home PC, albeit one equipped with four powerful graphics cards. | |
The cards were the key to being able to do the huge number of calculations necessary, said Prof Pollefey. | The cards were the key to being able to do the huge number of calculations necessary, said Prof Pollefey. |
The first task was to identify pictures on Flickr tagged with the word "Rome". | The first task was to identify pictures on Flickr tagged with the word "Rome". |
Main attractions | Main attractions |
A basic image analysis tool then created groups of photographs that had captured the same image - the west side of the Colosseum, for example. | A basic image analysis tool then created groups of photographs that had captured the same image - the west side of the Colosseum, for example. |
By analysing how the object appeared from different viewing angles and distances, a rough 3D model of the object could be created, said Prof Pollefeys. | |
They then used detailed analysis of each pixel within the group of photos to study the target object's surface. | They then used detailed analysis of each pixel within the group of photos to study the target object's surface. |
"This allowed us to recreate incredibly detailed models of the sites," he said. | "This allowed us to recreate incredibly detailed models of the sites," he said. |
As well as making eye-catching virtual models, the system can also highlight where tourists tend to congregate to snap the main attractions, he added. | As well as making eye-catching virtual models, the system can also highlight where tourists tend to congregate to snap the main attractions, he added. |
"So you can also identify other locations where you can get great shots of the same landmark," said Prof Pollefeys. | |
That could help minimise the impact tourists have when visiting popular sites, by allowing officials to direct them to different parts of the attraction, he said. | That could help minimise the impact tourists have when visiting popular sites, by allowing officials to direct them to different parts of the attraction, he said. |
It could also help them plan trips more effectively, he added. |
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