Plenoptics,
Edinburgh, UK: Plenoptics specialises in services and technology for the creation of highly realistic 3D models from 2D digital photography sources. Photo realistic and extremely accurate interior and exterior scenes can be created from photographic material either provided by the client or produced by Plenoptics own technical team.
The technology offers a multitude of applications for the defence, military and security sectors including:
Command and control models
Battlefield scenario simulations
Flight simulation
Airport layout simulation
Aircraft interior/exterior models
Serious game/role play models for training of military personnel
Hostage recovery training
In addition, the technology can be used flight/driving simulation, emergency/homeland security planning, site-specific models for re-enactment, staff training/familiarisation in specific environments plus structural interior models of aircraft and vehicles.
A number of special features within the Plenoptics tool-set means that interactivity, annotations and special effects such as smoke, noise, fire, collision, animation, video and text can be built into the rich content.
For example, smoke and other effects can be introduced, levers can be used to open doors and so forth. The 3D model can be used to “walk through” a building with realistic representations of lines of sight, vantage points.
“3D modelling and simulation is not new to the military sector,” said Roy Middleton, CEO of Plenoptics. “However, what we offer is superior skills and technology which enables much faster creation of models and more realistic results than has previously been possible.”
Plenoptics is currently working on a number of service projects for organisations including the British Army, US Army, NATO, Israeli defense sector, airport and rail authorities.
Established in 2004 as a spinout from Edinburgh University, Plenoptics is working at the forefront of combined computer vision and computer graphics technologies. The company has developed a unique state-of-the-art photomodelling software product, PhotoGenesis, which provides for the rapid creation of highly realistic accurate 3D models of the built environment from photographs.
