Paperflame » Technology

Sekai Camera – Air Tagging at it’s best

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:16:56 +0000

Soon to be released in Japan for the iPhone, and then internationally. The Sekai Camera App is a marvel to behold. The developers have come up with an actual real world use for Augmented Reality (AR). The app allows the tagging of scenes, you know… strip joints, opium dens, absinthe bars, brothels, ok ok … just kidding… NOT! Well anyways, some cool stuff to say the least. Put text tags and picture tags on areas that you have been to. Then when someone else points their camera with the Sekai Camera app running at the same scene, they will see your tags floating in the image on the LCD screen. Much cooler then carving your name in a tree or tagging a wall with some graffiti (that is so yesterday). The main website is here: Sekai Camera (japanese) They say it will be released soon in Japan and everywhere else shortly after. The company also plans on releasing an Android version in the months to follow. Will it be free? I have no idear. I posted a bit ago about a similar Augmented Reality technology here at Paperflame. Check out the vid of the Sekai Camera in action. The only problem I predict is the abuse of advertisers and spammers cluttering up all of the pretty scenes. Can you see it now? Your pointing your camera at the Great Pyramid and see an advertisement for Coca-Cola telling you your thirsty because your standing in the middle of a desert? It could be a cool job though, “Air Tagging” popular places for companies. Sign me up. On another note, what’s up with the guys hair in the vid!?

Great Example of FLAR: Great job with the FLARToolKit!

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:40:13 +0000

I was just looking for information on the use of the FLAR technology using Adobe Flash. The FLARToolKit is an AS3 version of ARToolKit and is something really cool to behold. I believe Papervision3D is also used in conjunction with the toolkit to produce something called Augmented Reality. It involves the use of a web cam or such where the sofware can “See” certain shapes that are in the view of a cam and then use those shapes as anchors to project images. I have seen different examples, but this video I found at this blog (projectx4) showing it off is really great… very creative. A great example of the use of FLAR. Kudos guys, well done! I almost wish I had not seen this video, now I am really going to have to download the FLAR toolkit and get to figuring it out. There is a post at this blog that has a short list of links to some reference materials. If you have or know of any more examples of FLAR, Please tell us in the comments section below.

Check out the video at the Projectx4 blog

Google Voice Business Cards: Did you get yours?

admin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:09:25 +0000

A little while back I got my Google Voice Phone Number. As of this post, you still have to sign up for an invite. I got my invite pretty quick. I think it was about a week wait. If you would like to learn more about Google Voice, click here. Well, after logging in to my Google Voice Account, I noticed this little Icon and link to get free Google Business Cards for the first 25,000 users of Google Voice (they are not giving them out as of now). Well I made the first 25,000 so proceeded to sign up for the cards. This is what they looked like when I received them. Pretty cool. Just thought I would share this image of an actual Google Voice Business Card in the wild. Simple, Clean and oh so Google-ish. Oh yeah, did I say Google Voice is a killer Google Application? It’s like Gmail for your phone! Yeah yeah, you might think I’m nuts showing my name and contact information, well I got’s nuttin’ to hide! Feel free to leave me a message!

Canon EOS 7D Released

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:26:27 +0000

Just a heads up to all you shutterbugs. the Canon EOS 7D has been released! Looks like an amazing camera at a great price.

18MP APS-C
ISO 6400, Expandable to 12800
8fps
Built-in External Flash Controller
63 Zone Metering
19 Cross-type AF Sensors
Selective Zone, Horizontal/Vertical, and Spot-Auto Focus Settings
HD Video, 1080@24, 25, or 30fps; 720@30, 60 fps
1.0x, 100% Viewfinder
1N-Class Weathersealing
LCD Viewfinder Overlays for Composition Grids, Horizon Line, AF Locations
Dual Digic 4 Processors, Full UDMA Support
Body Only $1699

Visit Canon.com to read the press release

Aerial Photography: Via Remote Control Helicopter

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:43:42 +0000

I dabble in Aerial Photography. I use RC (Remote Control) Helicopters to get the job done. I love the vantage point that Aerial Photography can provide. Like nothing else on earth. Of the many different ways of capturing images, I have to say it is probably one of the hardest ways to shoot. With Remote Control Helicopters one has to deal with a variety of issues like vibration, distance, gimbal control, shutter speed, weight issues, power systems and mechanical failures. I started with a “gasser” helicopter (think flying weed whacker) and have since switched to a custom electric helicopter that is over 4 ft long with each single main rotor blade being 710 mm. For all of you photographers out there, this may be something to look into if you want to spice things up. There are a variety of ways to get aerial pics. The use of masts, blimps, and zip lines can be used along with full scale aircraft. Here are a few images I have taken. The image above is of my current setup which involves a 2 axis front mount camera gimbal (pan & tilt controlled by a remote operator) carrying a Canon DSLR XSI shooting at 12.2 mp. The RC Helicopter is a “stretched” Align Trex 600E that has had the back end tail section replaced with the tail end of it’s bigger brother the Align Nitro trex 700. This makes the helicopter longer allowing larger rotor blades to be fitted for more lifting power. This is an electric setup that runs on 12 cell lithium polymer batteries. It’s has a lot of grunt!. Well anyways, I just thought I would share. If you find yourself interested in Aerial Photography and would like to learn more please feel free to contact me. There are also 2 great forums to check out for more information about aerial photography helicopter setups and camera equipment.

For more information visit:

Runryder Aerial Photography Forum

Helifreak Aerial Photography Forum

Here are some shots that I have taken.
I hope they inspire you!

Canon XSI, TV500, 18-55mm

THE SKY REALLY IS THE LIMIT