Het is nu mogelijk om heel gemakkelijk skins van jezelf te maken voor spellen als Quake III Arena en Counter Strike. 3Q Inc. maakt 'pasfoto-hokjes' waarin dit gebeurt. Met drie camera's wordt er in een fractie van een seconde een 3D model van je gemaakt. Daarna heb je nog even de tijd om dingen als littekens toe te voegen. Als je klaar bent krijg je voor $25 een CD-ROM met je foto. Models kosten $5 per spel extra. Helaas staat het hokje alleen nog maar in de VS .
To have their digitized alter ego created, a person sits inside a converted photo booth that houses three precisely synchronized cameras. A technique known as Digital Surface Photogrammetry (DSP) is then engaged, which involves a random, non-laser light pattern projected on the subject's face to capture an image in as little as 8 milliseconds. Creators of the technique say speed is of the essence in order to reduce any slight movements that could negatively impact quality.
The resolution allows for 2,000 polygons, which can be modified depending on the game engine. The surface texture is 24-bit color, and the 3-D file format is available in Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) and game file formats -- all rendered in about 10 seconds. Users then have a few minutes to add features such as scars or to change their hairstyle.
[...]Among the games that can now accommodate 3Q's technology are "Quake III Arena," "Star Trek: Voyager Elite Force" and "Counter-Strike." Other games are also looking to eventually incorporate the cloning images, including "The Sims," "Duke Nukem Forever" and "Unreal Tournament."