Make3D – a 3D model from a single 2D picture

In a research paper by Ashutosh Saxena, Min Sun, and Andrew Y. Ng from the Stanford University, it’s been presented a few months ago Make3D.

Make3D converts your single picture into a 3D model. It takes a two-dimensional image and creates a three-dimensional «fly around» model, giving the viewers access to the scene’s depth and a range of points of view.

It uses powerful machine learning techniques to learn the relation between small image patches and their depth and orientation. This allows it to model 3-d structures such as slopes of mountains or branches of trees.

After uploading your image, you can «fly» in the 3D scene (requires VRML viewer or Adobe Shockwave), or watch a rendered 3D movie (flash required). Visit 3D Gallery, or signup to upload your photograph.

http://make3d.stanford.edu/index.html