Nov 5 2009 What Space Invaders Actually Look Like
This is an $18 Threadless shirt depicting what 8-bit Space Invaders actually look like in 3-D. Pretty amazing, huh? I know, I thought they were giant 2-D bugs as well. Really turns your whole world upside down, doesn't it? Like finding out your parents are swingers.
Product Site
via
8-Bit Invaders Are Perfectly Formed [fashionablygeek]
Thanks to Amanda, who just realized Aunt Beth and Uncle Simon weren't actually relatives. Sorry, Amanda.
Oct 20 2009 It's About Time: An Affordable 3-D Copier
You see that guy in the picture? You know what he's doing? He's making a 3-D copy of his genitals because his office just installed the new ZPrinter 350 3-D copier. And now you can too for the low, low price of $25,900! The device can recreate any object put into it's scanning bay out of plastic. Unfortunately, the thing can only copy units smaller than 8 x 10 x 8 inches, so mine's out. HIYO!
Sep 30 2009 100% Badass: Monkey Island 2 Rendered 3D
This is a video of some of the scenery in Monkey Island 2 rendered in 3D using the Crysis engine. It is by far the most beautiful thing I've seen in recent history (not including that glimpse I caught of myself getting out of the shower Monday).
This video is an experiment done for fun. It demonstrates how original Monkey Island 2 backgrounds look and feel in a modern 3d game engine. The sets were built using Maya and then exported into Cryengine's Sandbox editor.
Was that not awesome? Cause it most definitely was. And in other Monkey Island news, the third serial in the latest Monkey Island series just dropped yesterday, so I've been playing it in between posts. A strong work ethic: I have one. Also, left hook. POW! Haha, you didn't believe me! Look at yourself, lying there bleeding, you oughta be ashamed! Unless you're a girl, in which case that was totally the guy behind me.
Thanks to Martyn, who once killed a three-headed monkey and had it stuffed and mounted in his rumpus room.
Aug 10 2009 Holodeck Coming Soon: Touchable Hologram
That's right folks, a fully functional Holodeck may be just around the corner. Using a combination of hologram and ultrasound technologies, a group of Japanese scientists have created a touchable, feelable 3-D image. Imagine the possibilities! I'm looking at you, Princess Leia.
Using ultrasonic waves to provide the resistance and tactile presence, the hologram simulates the sensation of rain drops or a small ball, all without interfering with the projected 3-D image. A couple of Wiimotes provide the tracking, and the programing provides the fun.
That's actually pretty freaking awesome. And I, for one, can't wait to see the long term, practical applications of this new technology (read: porn and video games).
Tokyo Scientists Create Touchable Hologram [popsci]
Thanks to Mih0, Will, eazie, Pete, Brocknoviatch and Daryl, who all prefer real life touching. Good, now rub my back.
Jul 15 2009 That's It, Disney -- Prepare To Be Sued!
Typically I don't post movie posters because that's IWatchStuff's job, but I'm making an exception in this case because DISNEY STOLE GEEKOLOGIE'S TAGLINE. You think you can just change "awesome" to "guinea pigs" (which, incidentally are a synonym for awesome) and get away with it? THINK AGAIN, YOU DIRTY RODENT! Now, which one of you wants to call Disney and pretend to be a lawyer? Somebody with a deep voice.
G-FORCE movie poster [disneydreaming]
Thanks to Ben, who pleads guilty to dead sexiness.
May 29 2009 Mega Man In Partial 3-D: Mega Man 2.5D!
This is a little video demo of Mega Man 2.5D, which is a Mega Man game in partial 3-D that I believe some guy is actually making. Which....is it wrong I got a boner? Wait -- don't answer, I want to savor this.
Hit the jump for another, longer video.
Continue Reading " Mega Man In Partial 3-D: Mega Man 2.5D! "
Apr 29 2009 3D Chess Adds Dimension To The Game
Tired of playing plain old chess? 3-way chess just not cutting it for you anymore? How about some 3-D chess? What rolls down stairs, alone or in pairs, rolls over your neighbor's dog? What's great for a snack, and fits on your back, It's 3D CHESS CHESS CHESS! Ooooh snap -- you just got Ren and Stimpy'd! Anyways, this 3D chessboard was designed by Ji Lee and bears an unstriking resemblance to Star Trek Tri-Dimensional Chess. Truthfully, I never even know the rules for chess*, I just like playing with the pieces. Haha -- my castle just stomped one of your guys with the hat! Now it's gonna....WHAT'S YOUR HORSEY DOING ON MY QUEEN?!?
3D Chessboard Is Like Q*bert for Smart People [gizmodo]
*I was kidding for the sake of the article, I'm actually a Grand Dungeon Master.
Feb 25 2009 End Of The World Perspective Street Art
Edgar Mueller is a 3-D street artist like Julian Beever, except he works in paint instead of chalk. This is one of three massive, street-filling pieces by Edgar (other two after the jump). Oh man, just look at that car in the back -- that thing is going nowhere! . Also, what kind of parents let their child play on the edge of a precipice like that? Awesome ones, that's who.
Hit the jump for two different ones and a 'making of' video.
Continue Reading " End Of The World Perspective Street Art "
Feb 9 2009 Cake!: Rocking Out With Your (Wedding) Band
Ed (not Norton) and Ursula (not from The Little Mermaid) recently got married and decided to tie the knot with a Rock Band themed wedding cake. As you can see, it's a not very 3D drum set. Wow -- I hope you stoned the baker, because I would have demanded that thing stand up. But seriously, congratulations couple, and Ed -- you can kiss your fantasy about a life of meaningless sex with groupies goodbye. As the tour bus leaves the arena, a guitar pick falls silently to the asphalt.
Jan 30 2009 Augmented Reality Coming To LEGO Retailers
We've already seen several examples of augmented reality here on Geekologie. Some sexier than others. And now the technology may be coming to everybody's favorite modular plastic blocks -- LEGO!
LEGO will apparently be rolling out these new 'Digital Box' kiosks to select toyshops around the world that allow you to see a 3D representation of what the LEGO model looks like when fully assembled. The kiosk uses a built-in video camera and custom augmented reality software developed by a German company called Metaio, and because the model exists in 3D, you're able to interactively turn and move it around to see it from all sides.
Sweet! I've always had trouble telling what a LEGO set will look like when it's finished because I usually end up with a belly full few pieces. So this won't help at all. But still, they should use this technology for something more practical -- like microwaveable meals. Am I right? Yes, now hit the jump to see my lunch.
Continue Reading " Augmented Reality Coming To LEGO Retailers "
Dec 19 2008 Ho Ho Ho, Happy Holidays From Geekologie
Julian Beever is a sidewalk artist that specializes in realistic 3-D renderings when viewed from a particular viewpoint. This is one such piece, and Christmas themed to boot. Who knew Santa lived in a secret underground lair beneath a mail receptacle? That's some serious DangerMouse shit right there. And, based on the expression on Santa's face, I'd say somebody just asked for ass beads.
Dec 19 2008 Cool: Augmented Reality Advertisements
MINI recently ran an augmented reality advertisement in several German automotive magazines (Auto, Motor und Sport, Werben & Verkaufen and Autobild). You head over to the MINI website, flash the print ad in front of your webcam (while doing a striptease -- ladies only, please) and TA-DOW -- a 3-D MINI appears on your newfangled typewriter screen. Go here to print out the ad as a PDF and then head here to try it for yourself. I tried to do it but I can't read German and get easily discouraged so I bailed. Besides, I'm waiting for some augmented augmented reality ads. You catch my drift? I'm talking boobs. Big-ass fake ones.
Hit it for another picture and a video of the making of the ad.
Dec 9 2008 Good Job: Steampunk'd Star Wars Characters
We've already seen steampunk'd Star Wars here on Geekologie. First in LEGO form, then as a Vader helmet, then figurines, and, most recently, a steamy little R2. Well recently, the Society of Digital Artists held a little Steampunk Star Wars contest, and these are some of the winners. Now tell me, does being all Victorian make Princess Leia any less bangable?
A: No, provided she remove the burning coals from her vajayjay.
Hit the jump for several more winners.
Continue Reading " Good Job: Steampunk'd Star Wars Characters "
Oct 3 2008 3-D Force Field May Make Touching Princess Leia In (And Out Of) Her Metal Bikini A Reality
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed the Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display, a 3-D interactive force field that may make touching Princess Leia's golden boobies a reality.
This tactile display enables tactile feedback superimposed over 3D graphics projected in free space, which provides more intuitive handling of 3D "touchable" graphics. For example, users could touch Princess Leia projected in the air.
ZOMG!
The Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display uses multiple ultrasound transducers to project waves into the air. Without gloves or attachments, and without risk of penetration in the body, the device takes advantage of a nonlinear ultrasound phenomena called acoustic radiation pressure. This allows for the creation of spatial shapes of acoustic ultrasound radiation pressure, which is what gives you the sensation of touching Princess Leia's breasts for real, even feeling the nature of the material
And you thought I was kidding, didn't you? I was not! And also, I demand a demo. A private demo. With mood lighting and aromatic candles.
3D Force Field Opens Door for Holodeck, Virtual Touchable Leia [gizmodo]
Thanks to Sean and Michael, who both claim to have been intimate with Princess Leia in her younger (but still totally legal) years.
Sep 4 2008 NES Inspired Art From A Loyal Geekologist
See, being a loyal Geekologist pays off. You make something cool, and presto -- your work appears on the greatest geek website created since my dad invented this series of tubes. Geekologie reader and deviantart user =NES--stil-the-best (aka Justin) creates art based on some of his favorite classic Nintendo games. As you can see, this is a 3-D rendering of Super Mario Bros. Hit the jump for several more of these, along with a couple Legend of Zelda scenes. There are also some perfectly executed Perler bead Punch Out! and Mega Man characters. Good looking, Justin, I've always wanted to know what the original Zelda would look like in 3-D. And also, boobs -- I'm tired of staring at a damn screen. Now which one of you lovely ladies wants to make my dream come true? And then, haha, a sandwich platter? I'm being serious.
Jump off for the gallery.
Continue Reading " NES Inspired Art From A Loyal Geekologist "
Aug 25 2008 Cool, Neato!: iHologram iPhone Application
iHologram for the iPhone is an application made by David O'Reilly that creates the illusion of a 3-D cat walking around in your phone.
iHologram combines anamorphosis and the iPhone's gyroscopes to achieve this awesome visual magic trick. Anamorphosis is a way to draw things distorted so, while watched at a certain angle, they pop out of the 2D surface as if they were real.
You have to watch the screen at 35 to 45 degrees at all times in order for the effect to work. And, also, keep the phone charged. It won't work with a dead battery. Or hooker. Speaking of which, can I borrow somebody's car for the afternoon?
3D App Turns iPhone into Window to Alternative World [gizmodo]
Aug 12 2008 Highly Realistic 3-D Facial Animations
Alter Ego, a division of Pendulum Studios, is apparently kicking ass and taking names in the field of 3-D facial animation.
The guys over at AlterEgo have developed proprietary "facial performance software", which combined with special mo-cap hardware, can produce unbelievably real digital faces in record time. Their work has been featured in motion pictures, commercials, animation and video games including Dark Sector and the forthcoming Silent Hill 5.
There's a video after the jump of some faces in action (that I lovingly embedded in high quality so you could get the full effect), which is pretty impressive. So the real question is this: what does this mean for the adult entertainment industry? Because I'll tell you one thing -- I wouldn't be caught dead watching a damn CG porno.
UPDATE, FROM HELL: Ha, so I was wrong.
Hit the jump for another picture and the video.
Aug 8 2008 Questionable: Guy Makes 3-D Business Cards
Some guy named Emerson Taymor had himself some 3-D business cards made. It probably isn't a new idea, but hey, it's the first I've seen it. Regardless, I found them kind of questionable (even ignoring the goofy picture). Don't get me wrong: I love wearing 3-D glasses as much as the next guy that dropped acid with his bagel this morning, I'm just saying they seem gimmicky. But being the intrepid reporter that I am, I gave Emerson the benefit of the doubt. So I visited his website to find out what kind of act he performs for birthday parties that warrants such an unusual card, and hello placeholder! Wow Emerson, I don't even know if you can make balloon animals. But you have inspired me. To include a phone number on my business card that I may activate some time in the future.
Hit the jump for two more pictures of the 3-D cards in 2-D form.
Continue Reading " Questionable: Guy Makes 3-D Business Cards "
Aug 5 2008 Eh: Multi-Touch 3D Hologram Display Is Here
This is a video of Obscura Digital demonstrating their multi-touch software with Musion's Eyeliner 3D holographic projector. It's pretty neat. But you know what? I'm getting sick and tired of all these multi-touch demos where it seems the extent of what you can so is shuffle through photos and resize them. BORING. Show me somebody building a LEGO castle or something. Anything -- anything besides "look, you can toss Polaroids around in space!" I mean I can do that in real life, and it would still suck. I want to see some VR applications. I need an escape damnit, and the drugs aren't working.
Obscura Digital projects multi-touch "hologram", blows all sorts of minds [engadget]
Thanks to Julian, who's anxiously awaiting holographic skin flicks.
Jul 15 2008 Magic 3-D Box Displays Images In 3-D
The gCubik is a little 10cm (~4 inch) cube designed by Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) that can display 3-D images via integrated imaging technology and its multiple sides.
The NICT wants to significantly improve the display quality within 3 years. A wireless version is in the works as well. The institute aims at commercializing the gCubik for use in business and science. They say their invention could be used by video game companies, too, for example.
Sure, video games, that would be fun. But let's face it: the box was designed for 3-D porn. Can you imagine what a boob would look like on that thing? Yeah, pretty shitty. Still, it's a step.
UPDATE: I've decide the box looks like a ghost containment trap from Ghostbusters.
Amazing mini 3D-display cube developed in Japan [crunchgear]
Thanks Romeo, just imagine how awesome Portal would be on that thing.
