As Colossal puts it, “This is almost too good for words. A wonderfully clever video directed by Fernando Livschitz of Black Sheep Films, in which hovering roller coasters fly through the streets of Buenos Aires, completely untethered to tracks.”

[Via ]

What the… what??

It was all shot in single takes, recorded in real time:

In the past, projection mapping worked only from a single, static view point, and thus was very limited. By attaching the PlayStation Move to the camera, we can track projections to screens in real time, enhancing the effect of spatial deformation and false perspective on the projections and allowing viewers to look round (virtual) corners, bend walls, create a hole in the wall, or remove the walls altogether to reveal vast expanses of virtual worlds.

Check out the fascinating making-of piece:

[Via Felix Baum]

These are the days of miracles & wonder:

The technology is said to have been purchased by Apple. Check out 9to5 Mac for more details.
[Via]

Check out this groundbreaking work from Ed Catmull (later of Pixar fame) and the story behind it:

[Via]

RePro3D, writes Engadget, combines “a glasses-free 3D display with an infrared tactile interface, they are able to create a holographic model that responds when ‘touched.’ The next step for the team is to provide feedback via a wearable device, adding the sensation of touch.” Check it out:

Check out this tool for visualizing & playing with a Golf Cabriolet:

That’s nice and all, but I’m so advanced that for the last 11 years I’ve been able to just look out the window to see the same dusty Golf materialize in front of me. (It’s okay to be jealous. 😉 #120hpRealUltimatePower)

If you thought yesterday’s 3D printing example was even remotely cool, you must see the “Solar Sinter,” below. The clip unfolds slowly, offering that deserty “my brain’s cooking in my skull” sense of time, but it’s worth the wait.

“By using the sun’s rays instead of a laser,” writes creator Markus Kayser, “and sand instead of resins, I had the basis of an entirely new solar-powered machine and production process for making glass objects that taps into the abundant supplies of sun and sand to be found in the deserts of the world.”
[Via]

…and in color, no less! Fascinating.

[Via John Eakin]

Craft Dutch projector wizards Mr. Beam have “created a unique physical 3D video mapping experience by turning a white living room into a spacious 360° projection area. This technique allowed us to take control of all colors, patterns and textures of the furniture, wallpapers and carpet. All done with 2 projectors.” Check it out:

[Via] Update: Adobe researcher Dan Goldman points out similar projects done 30 years ago (see “Displacements”).

I have no context for this, but boy it’s neat:

Related (?): Crayola is now selling 3D sidewalk chalk–no kidding. [Via Jesse Diamond & John Dowdell]

The Photoshop team is running a quick survey on 3D tools & applications. It would be great to get your take on the state of the tools & what their future should hold. Thanks.
[Previously: “Photoshop 3D is not about 3D.”]

If this doesn’t make you grin, I don’t know what would:

Apparent fatherhood/VFX rockstar Patrick Boivin makes my cheap-n’-cheerful parental Photoshoppery seem so anemic, but I love the work nonetheless. [Via Jim Geduldick]

3D artist/Ars Technica writer Dave Girard has created a “Go Photoshop” script that sends selected meshes from Maya to Photoshop CS4 or CS5 for texturing. If that’s up your alley, check out this quick demo:

The guys from 3DVIA show what’s possible:

The free 3DVIA plug-in for Photoshop makes it easy to pull 3D content into your files, then work on it using Photoshop’s 3D manipulation tools. From the product page:

Search over 15,000 premium and user-generated 3D models and import them directly into your working file without leaving the Photoshop window. From high-end, photoshoot quality models to stylized models, 3DVIA has something for every project need.

Oh God, this is so great. I raise a forkful of ghost meat in salute to Pac Man & co. Full-screen viewing is a must.

[Via]

If you’ll be around San Francisco tomorrow night, come check out the Adobe SF user group meeting:

Corey Barker is a content developer for Kelby Media Group and Executive Producer of the popular tutorial site Planet Photoshop. He is also co-host of the the hit podcast Layers TV and makes occasional appearances on Photoshop User TV.

Corey will highlight numerous and unusual ways you can use the 3D features in Photoshop Extended to create stunning effects for any designer – both traditional 2D as well as those interested in learning more about 3D capabilities.

Things get underway at 6:30pm, and pizza will be served.

“Google’s Liquid Galaxy is… a wraparound view of 8 LCD screens providing a truly immersive experience of Google Earth and Street View.”

I’m told by Adobe folks working at the TED conference that the bandwidth used to power this really isn’t that extreme. [Via Tobias Hoellrich]

I’m guessing it’s impossible for almost anyone to take as much pure delight in this little CGI video as my 21-month-old son is taking today (“Elephant bursting!!“), but it’s fun to try. 🙂

Also delightful: Feist on Sesame Street, singing a custom 1234.