Books get the 3D treatment in South Korea
Wed, Mar 24 2010
SEOUL (Reuters) - Pop-up is so passe: South Korean scientists have developed 3D
technology for books that makes characters literally leap off the page.
The popularity of 3D entertainment has been given a boost by a slew of recent
films, including sci-fi blockbuster "Avatar" and Tim Burton's "Alice in
Wonderland."
Several companies are also offering 3D televisions and a 3D video game console
will launched soon.
At South Korea's Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, researchers used
3D technology to animate two children's books of Korean folk tales, complete
with writhing dragons and heroes bounding over mountains.
Pictures in the books have cues that trigger the 3D animation for readers
wearing computer-screen goggles. As the reader turns and tilts the book, the 3D
animation moves accordingly.
"It took us about three years to develop the software for this," said Kim
Sang-cheol, the team leader of the project.
Kim said the technology could be used for any type of book and sees it
eventually being used for images displayed over smart phones or at museums to
enhance exhibits.
But those waiting for 3D books may have to wait long.
"It will take a while to market this technology to the general public," Kim
said. He was not sure of the eventual price but thinks it will be affordable
enough to be mass marketed.
(Reporting by Reuters TV and Christine Kim; writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing
by Miral Fahmy)
© Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved.
________________________________
José A. López
Globomedia, Dpto. de Documentación-Comunicación
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
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