Imagine taking a snapshot of any object and then creating an exact, physical copy. Even if it’s underwater? Thanks to Reality Computing, that’s what startup The Hydrous is doing to help better understand endangered coral. One recent five-day underwater expedition garnered more than 27,000 photos, 2 TB of data, and photo captures of more than 100 corals. These will then be used to create exact, interactive 3D-model replicas for scientists and educators to study and preserve the reefs.

This week we ramped up our efforts and conducted a project further investigating Autodesk's software, ReCap, and its viability to make high resolution 3D coral models (The more accurate technical term is 3D textured geometry).  We are very interested in the novel ability to measure coral surface area. This has the potential to revolutionize coral reef research and outreach.

Contributed to the creation of photo-mosaics of R.M.S. Titanic wreck site produced by the Advanced Imaging and Visualization Lab at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for National Geographic.

Cover and lead article imagery in Oceanus, the magazine of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), May 2012. Contributed to the creation of photo-mosaics of RMS Titanic wreck site produced by the Advanced Imaging and Visualization Lab at WHOI. All photo mosaics ©2012 RMS Titanic, Inc. Produced by AIVL, WHOI.