3D Scanning Without A 3D Scanner Cambridge Develops Software to Create 3D Models with Regular Webcam

Qi Pan, a PhD engineering candidate at Cambridge University has
developed software that allows users to create a fully 3D digital model
with a regular, stationary webcam. No need for multiple cameras or 3D
imaging lasers, as the software is able to render the model by simply
having the model rotated in front of the webcam by hand.
The technology is called ProFORMA (obviously named by an engineer) and
the secret to it, is that it renders the 3d model as the real life model
is being collected. It seems to be highly accurate and what impresses me
is that it even accurately captures the textures of the item being
modeled into 3D.
The principal isn't that much different thanย motionย capture which
hasย helpedย create realistic human motions in CGI movies and video
games for some time, but unlike mo-cap, the target doesn't have to be
covered in small light-sensitiveย balls that help the computer and
multiple cameras track the motion.
And what is equally impressive is that instead of the expensive
motion-capture equipment (which can cost over $6,000 for a single
motion-capture equipped glove, which doesn't include the cost of the
cameras of drivers), this is done with a single, off-the-shelf webcam,
and, like I said earlier, also captures the textures.
The possible applications of this tech is pretty limitless at this
point. This could seriously change the cost and effort needed for 3D
modeling. Check out the full page at Cambridge below, including a
YouTube video that shows the software capturing and rendering the 3D
model 'live' (that is, as he rotates the target object).