The Minolta 3D 1500 makes photorealistic 3D a reality for Web developers, e-merchants, and all computer graphic artists and animators. By incorporating superior digital imaging technology and MetaCreations 3D imaging hardware and software, the Minolta 3D 1500 provides the quality necessary for high-tech presentations, and ensures the flexibility necessary for MetaStream transmission over the Internet. Users familiar with Bryce will have a jump on learning how to use Canoma, because of the familiarity of the interface. To capture images, users simply aim at the object and push the shutter release button while the camera does the rest. The 3D 1500 relies on a structured-light based triangulation to take a series of 2D images at a succession of sizes and turn objects into 3D images.
Users can view, reconstruct, distort, inflate and combine the shapes of the captured images.
A variety of polygon selection tools are included for 3D model editing, smoothing and sharpening such as 3D Brush and Lasso. A multiple undo feature allows users to easily trace or erase imaging edits, while a texture editor enables users to enhance visual quality of the 3D models and adjust output file size. Minimum system requirements for MetaStream compatibility are a Pentium processor-based system, a 28.8 modem and a Netscape Communicator 4.0 or Internet Explorer 4.0 browser. As for exports, Bryce Terrains can now be exported to the same formats. A Bryce Terrain object can be much more than a landscape by the way.