Re: [photo-3d]Solid 3D

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Herbert C Maxey wrote:
> While we are on the subject of creating 3D from 2D, here is
> something you all have most likely seen or read about. Personally, I
> have seen the process - rather the results of the process.
> 
> I worked for MSL, and we were the manufacturer of all Palm PDA
> Products.  When we required sample plastic frames, covers and other
> parts for a proto run, we downloaded the CAD data into a solid
> modeler which created a solid plastic part, exact in dimensions.
> 
> Granted, not a production process; this was for prototype
> parts. Think of the possibility. You need a part for a stereo
> realist and you visit a web site where you select the part and
> rather than print on paper, your desktop solid modeler recreates the
> part for you.
> 

Roland <URL:http://www.rolanddga.com/> has a pair of devices (the
Picza and Modela) that they sell for the desktop.  I seem to remember
that the list price for the pair was about $2000.  One device "scans"
an object by repeatedly dragging a stylus over the object.  The other
device "prints" an object by carving it from a block of wax (or soft
wood or plastic).  The objects can be about the size of a Hot Wheels
car (which was used as an in booth demo).  Of course larger objects
could be built by joining smaller ones, or getting bigger versions of
these devises.  I saw this a couple of years ago at SIGGRAPH, but I
don't think these were a new product then.  I have pamphlets around
here somewhere, but they're buried right now.

My wife and I had a hard time convincing ourselves that we really
didn't need to own a pair of these devices.

-- 
Brian Reynolds                  | "Dee Dee!  Don't touch that button!"
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