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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Cubify Invent: affordable design tool created just for 3D printing

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/25/cubify-invent-affordable-design-tool-for-3d-printing/

There are plenty of design tools out there from SketchUp to Autodesk that can be used to create 3D-printable models. But none are really created from the ground up with additive manufacturing in mind. That's where 3D Systems thinks it has an advantage in the crowded CAD market. Cubify Invent, obviously from the makers the Cubify 3D printer, is a beginner-friendly design tool for Windows that lets you quickly and easily spit out your creations in colorful ABS plastics. Those familiar with other CAD tools should have no problems picking up Cubify Invent, while true n00bs can use the included tutorials to learn the ropes. You can download the app at the source link for $50, or just give it a test run as a free trial. PR is awaiting you after the break.

Continue reading Cubify Invent: affordable design tool created just for 3D printing

Cubify Invent: affordable design tool created just for 3D printing originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 09:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sigma R&D shows Kinect sign language and Jedi savvy to win gesture challenge (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/25/sigma-Kinect-lightsaber-sign-language/

Sigma R&D has won first prize in a gesture challenge to show just how much more talent -- like sign language translation and light saber fun -- can be unlocked in a Kinect. Normally the Microsoft device can only scope body and full mitt movements, but the research company was able to track individual fingers with a Kinect or similar sensor, plus its custom software, allowing a user's hand to become a more finely tuned controller. To prove it, the company introduced a virtual lightsaber to a subject, tracking his swordsmanship perfectly and using his thumb extension to turn it on and off. The system even detected when a passing gesture was made, seamlessly making a virtual transfer of the weapon. The same tech was also used to read sign language, displaying the intended letters on the screen for a quick translation. The SDK is due in the fall, when we can't wait to finally get our hands on a Jedi weapon that isn't dangerous or plasticky. To believe it for yourself, see the videos after the break.

Continue reading Sigma R&D shows Kinect sign language and Jedi savvy to win gesture challenge (video)

Filed under: Periphera! ls, Software

Sigma R&D shows Kinect sign language and Jedi savvy to win gesture challenge (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 10:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's New 55-300mm Lens Zooms Closer Without a Magnified Price [Cameras]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5928794/sonys-new-55+300mm-lens-zooms-closer-without-a-magnified-price

Sony's New SAL55300 zoom lens is an all-purpose telephoto lens for Sony's line of A-Mount cameras. It zooms considerably further than the existing 200mm SAL55200 for just $100 more. For a $300 lens, 5.5 times magnification is impressive zoom. As for other specs, the lens opens all the way up to f/4.5 when it's zoomed out or to f/5.6 when it's zoomed in. The lens will mount directly onto both Sony's DSLRs and its recent, excellent SLT cameras. To get it onto NEX cameras like the awesome F3 you'll need to use an adapter. This budget beast will be available in September. [Sony]

Calc.exe Is Dead, Long Live Google's Calculator [Google]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5928863/calcexe-is-dead-long-live-googles-calculator

Google's search-based calculator is a bit of a God-send when it comes to impromptu math, but now the Big G has gone and extended its functionality by rolling out a full-on, 34-button scientific calculator.

It's got everything you really need in a calculator, numbers aside: trigonometric functions, logs, powers, pi, Euler's number and even factorials (that's the exclamation point, if you dropped out of math classes early). Just type in any calculation—something as simple as 2+2 will do—and up it pops.

Combined with the fact that Google search also works as a graphing calculator, it means that most software calculators can pretty much give up. Sorry, Calc.exe. It does, however, make me pine for my trusty old Sharp EL-531GH. [Google via Verge]

Fujifilm unwraps FinePix F800EXR camera with wireless sharing to Android, iOS

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/25/fujifilm-unwraps-finepix-f800exr-camera-with-wireless-sharing/

If your company doesn't have a camera with WiFi sharing somewhere in your lineup, many will say you're not even in the photography game. Fujifilm is definitely playing: welcome the FinePix F800EXR, its first camera with wireless sharing as part and parcel of the experience. Its centerpiece is a free Photo Receiver app for Android and iOS devices that will catch as many 30 images at a time from an ad hoc WiFi camera link. The matching (if unceremoniously named) Camera Application can return the gesture by geotagging shots as well as finding existing photos on the map. Fujifilm will even pre-Instagram the photos through six new on-camera filters for those who can't stand posting images online without at least some Lomo or tilt-shift effects thrown in.

As for the actual camera part of the camera, Fujifilm is keeping afloat in the competitive waters with a 16-megapixel, CMOS-based EXR sensor that can widen the dynamic range or lower the noise if sheer resolution isn't all that vital. An equally noteworthy 20x (25-500mm equivalent) lens out in front will zoom in a lot closer than any phone camera -- well, most of them. We're otherwise looking at the technology we'd expect in a point-and-shoot of this class, such as full-resolution burst shooting at up to eight frames per second, 1080p video and a RAW mod! e for im age quality sticklers. Stores should have the F800EXR in August for about $350, or about as much as the Galaxy Nexus that just might serve as its companion.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras