SynaPix debuts scene reconstruction software at SIGGRAPH 2001

Lowell, Mass., August 14, 2001-- At SIGGRAPH 2001, SynaPix, Inc. isdemonstrating new scene reconstruction software designed to streamlinethe process of building textured 3D models used in game development,and film and television productions, as well as industrial andarchitectural design. The software, SynaVision, allows visual effectsartists and designers to use real world images as a starting point. Itis being demonstrated, along with SynaMatch 2.0, the company's matchmoving software, in booth #1921 at the SIGGRAPH exhibitions in LosAngeles.

SynaPix's new SynaVision will allow artists to reconstruct an entirescene and objects within it using both geometric constructs andgenerative surfaces. Precise image registration will also allow usersto exactly register reconstructed scenes with the originally shotpixels.

According to Curt Rawley, SynaPix president and CEO, SynaVisionrepresents a dramatically different approach to getting real worldresults. "SynaVision will substantially cut production time by allowingvisual effects teams, game developers, and industrial designers tobuild 3D models based on the real world," said Rawley. "While everyother approach requires that you synthesize the real world, SynaVisionallows you to sample it, and produce detailed, scalable models withreal world textures. With this as a starting point, artists then havemore freedom to focus on the creative aspects of production."

SynaVision’s features include visual scene reconstructionwithout onset markers, importing of animated characters forpre-visualization, and scalable generative surfaces to fit requireddetail. It also features importing of camera paths from SynaMatch andother match movers as well as scalable geometry and resolutionindependence. It can be integrated with Alias|Wavefront Maya, 3D StudioMax, NewTek LightWave, and Avid SoftImage.

SynaVision beta site, New York-based BlinkFX was recently hired byTVKO to produce :30 and :60 promos for an upcoming pay-per-view matchbetween legendary boxers Bernard Hopkins and Felix Trinidad. The finaleffect required accurate facial models and animated transitions fromthe gold statue figures to the live action fighters. During theproduction, the fighters were placed on a rotating pedestal and shotfrom a variety of distances so that the entire body and facial closeups were available for modeling. SynaMatch 2.0 was used to recover thecamera path and SynaVision was used to create polygonal meshes based onthe camera path and original backplates. The models were rendered withAlias|Wavefront Maya and composited with Discreet's inferno.

"With SynaVision, it was easy to use what we shot during productionas the basis for the models," said Ed Manning, Visual EffectsSupervisor.

For additional information, including pricing and availability,contact SynaPix at (978) 970-5300, or via email atinfo@synapix.com.