Intel Software Delivers Interactive, Realistic 3-D Graphics On PC

INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, MOSCOW, Russia,-- Intel Corporationresearchers have released software that allows developers to buildinteractive 3-D graphics that correctly model the way light reflectsoff of real objects and surfaces. The software will enable gamedevelopers and researchers to bring a level of photo-realism to theirinteractive 3-D creations formerly reserved for high-end movie specialeffects.

The software is based on Intel's Light Field Mapping (LFM)technology that efficiently and compactly models the reflectiveproperties of light interacting with 3-D objects and environments --like a ray of sunlight reflecting off of a bronze statue. It isavailable at no cost through Intel's Open Source Light Field Mappingtool kit (Open Light Fields), which consists of software forcomposition of 3-D images from digital photos and code for playback ofthe LFM objects. Developers can use the code as is or modify it for usein their applications.

"We expect our Light Field Mapping technology to accelerate researchin photo-realistic computer graphics and bring the full richness of thevisual world to the desktop," said Justin Rattner, Intel Fellow anddirector of Intel's Microprocessor Research Lab. "Until we introducedLight Field Mapping last year, only high-end movie animators andspecial-effects developers portrayed the complex reflective propertiesof light interacting with objects." Accelerating Research for NewUses

In addition to working with leading graphics-hardware suppliers toassure that LFM is compatible with their graphics technology, Intel isworking with 3-D image scanning companies to provide an automatic andaffordable source for 3-D LFM-compatible scanned images. Intel also iscollaborating with Mitsubishi Electric Research Lab on futureenhancements to LFM, including the capability to visualize objects withcomplex geometries, such as those that occur in nature. It is workingwith Stanford University on technology for compressing and streaming oflight fields. Open Light Fields can be downloaded atwww.intel.com/research/mrl/research/lfm/.

Open Light Fields is one of Intel's Open Research initiatives, whichalso includes OpenCV, an open-source computer-vision library, andOpenRT, an open-source runtime platform. Open-source programs enableIntel researchers and thousands of advanced application researchersaround the world to collaborate and accelerate their work. Thiscooperation enables Intel to get feedback on potential requirements forfuture microprocessors.

The Open Light Fields software team resides at the Intel RussiaResearch Center (IRRC) in Nihzniy Novgorod, Russia, one of Intel's fourinternational microprocessor research centers. Established in 2001, theIRRC currently employs more than 30 computer researchers who work insuch areas as computer graphics, computer vision, media and statisticalcomputing.

Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, is also a leading manufacturerof computer, networking and communications products. Additionalinformation about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom