Can you hear that? That’s the almost imperceptible sound of reality wincing. Why? Well, because it’s been dealt another kick to the groin by technology. The latest in image manipulation software will shamelessly be parading its wares later this year at SIGGRAPH Asia 2011—an annual conference on computer graphics—making sure what we see isn’t necessarily what’s there.The software, from University fo Illinois researchers Kevin Karsch, Varsha Hedau, David Forsyth and Derek Hoiem, allows for incredibly realistic synthetic objects to be inserted into photos and videos, without the need for additional photographs, access to the original location, or any other special equipment—meaning they can insert objects into a scene using less information than current 3D rendering software but with equal, or greater, believability.You want an animated floating ball of light complete with its own shadow and reflection? Done. You want a monocled walrus sitting at the Christmas dinner table with proper perspective and illumination? Done. Want to make your parents believe you spent that money on furniture rather than beer? Done.BeforeAfterThey also claim the software is easy to use, saying novices can pick it up in minutes… and this is only the demo version. Check their project page for updates on when the full version will be released and to read the project paper they’ll present at SIGGRAPH.Oh what a brave, bold new future of photo doctoring this will bring.
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