July 31, 2006 10:53 AM PDT
Microsoft program turns 2D images into 3D
Microsoft has begun showing software called Photosynth that constructs a 3D model of a site after examining two-dimensional photos. After loading images into the system, Photosynth compares them for similarities, then reconstructs a 3D volume through which users can fly.
Microsoft plans to show Photosynth Wednesday at the Siggraph 2006 computer graphics conference in Boston, the company said . The software is the first major technology preview from Microsoft Live Labs.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
