Play as yourself on the Playstation 3?

Motion Portrait is a new technology developed by Sony. Currently implemented as software on a PC, it allows a persons’ image to be automatically converted into a 3D model. The software is then able to manipulate the 3D model to convey emotions, perform movement and add accessories.

......Senior Manager, Kilhara Sony Research Centre
......A picture is scanned into the computer

......This is how the young lady really looks like.
......And here is the animated 3D model, which is full of facial expressions and even has fun eating a butterfly(!).

A report about the amazing “Motion Portrait� software appeared on Japanese TV station TV Tokyo. The report triggered massive speculation amongst Japanese gamers, wondering whether the Playstation 3 will come equipped with the new software.

While the report has no direct connection to the PS3, it did not stop the rumors from arising. In Japan, forum debates followed the broadcast with many gamers hoping they will be able to scan their own images or use the future version of Sony’s Eye Toy camera to transfer their likeness onto the upcoming console and use their own image in Playstation 3 games.

The full capabilities of the technology were demonstrated by a Senior Manager from the Kilhara Sony Research Centre, who raised the possibility that the technology could be used in gaming.

The Senior Manager said that he hoped when the software was implemented with gaming, the main characters features could be substituted for the players’ own - a statement which would have done nothing to stop the imaginations of the viewers from running wild.

“Motion Portrait� works by scanning an emotionless photo on to a computer and then assigning any number of 16 different emotions to the image.

The software runs at 30 frames per second and is not limited to human faces. The television program showed a number of examples including animation and even a pineapple being manipulated to talk, eat and wear glasses.

Toshiba and Sony, the co-developers of PS3’s Cell chip have previously displayed a “digital mirror� that was similarly able to digitize human faces, albeit in realtime.

The still photo version, amazingly able to use 2D images to create 3D models, is quite likely to become available as a standard feature in future PS3 games.

Link: tv-tokyo.co.jp (Real Player Movie)

Source: PS3 Focus

Sounds impressive? Why not get a Free Playstation 3 Pre-Order? Yup, that is correct! Stay away from the hassles of waiting in long lineups for you can get it the simple way .... straight to your doorstep! Free! Interested? Then find out how to get a Free PS3 Pre-Order now!