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Blur Removal from Full-Sky Images of the Universe
THE TOOLS USED:
RSI IDL software allowed the group to view multiple modalities simultaneously, manipulate large volumetric data sets quickly and create an imaging environment that represents a quantum leap forward in brain imaging technology for neurologists, brain surgeons and brain scientists. IDL's interpreted environment and the large set of available routines allowed the Biophysics Group to explore algorithm options during the process of developing MRIVIEW. IDL's 3D graphics capabilities allow the integration of complex data analyses with methods to present high-quality graphics. IDL's Object Graphics were used by the Biophysics Group to build MRIVIEW's 3D Model Viewer, which is utilized by researchers to explore their neuroimaging data rapidly. IDL, built for data analysis, visualization and cross-platform application development, includes a suite of mathematics, statistics, graphics, image processing, mapping and general data manipulation features. The IDL environment enables researchers, scientists and technical professionals to create robust data visualization and analysis solutions in a fraction of the time it would require using C/C++ or other traditional programming environments. For more information about IDL, visit www.rsinc.com/idl.
THE DIFFERENCE IT MADE:
MRIVIEW represents a major step forward in non-invasive brain imaging because of the application's unique ability to synthesize multiple image formats and its ability to process such large image files. MRIVIEW allows doctors to better synthesize visual data and improve the care of patients with brain diseases and injuries. The Biophysics Group attributes the power of MRIVIEW to IDL, which provides ?the most advanced set of data analysis and visualization tools available, making it the ideal environment for developing our neuroimaging research software,? according to Doug Ranken, a technical staff member who led the development effort. ?IDL's 3D graphics capabilities allow the integration of complex data analyses with methods to present high-quality graphics.?
Breathing New Life into Ancient History with Panoramic
Images
THE CHALLENGE:
WHTour are currently bringing together a documentary image bank with panoramic pictures and virtual reality films for all sites registered as World Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Thus far, the WHTour has covered China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Egypt, raising attention to the many fascinating treasures on our planet along the way. With a rather daunting 20-year schedule ahead of him, Belgian photographer Tito Dupret is spearheading the WHTour, photographing all of the World Heritage sites and using a panoramic technique to captures the character of each location. When Taliban authorities destroyed hundreds of unique religious statues and temples in Afghanistan in 2001, Dupret was outraged and shocked at the loss of the ancient sites that now exist only in memory and photographs; this motivated him to record for posterity the vast riches that remain.
THE SOLUTION:
REALVIZ Stitcher is an application that combines overlapping photos into wide-angle images for creating Web pages, definition mattes, environment maps, image sequences and 3D models. Stitcher 4.0 is scheduled for worldwide release in January 2004, containing such new features as the ability to inter-operate with Adobe Photoshop, enabling each computed panorama to be exported with each image a separate layer for editing control; the ability for expert users to select preferred interpolation methods for re-sizing their images; a Best Rendering option enabling users to achieve the best output with the resolution available to them; Interactive QuickTime VR previewing to adjust QuickTime default parameters interactively; and interface and workflow enhancements at each stage of the creative process.
