Intel and the University of Washington at had a press release the other day about taking photos from the internet to use for creating 3D models of places. It’s a cool idea that’s been around for a number of years. In 2006 Microsoft was researching the technology calling the research Photo Tourism.
Here are a few other projects:
Photo to 3D: This website takes just one photograph to make a 3D models. Its and interesting exercise, but needs more vantage points to get a full 3D model.
Make 3D: Stanford had a research project too
Here’s Smart Planet’s video on the Intel and University collaboration.
Here are some commercial products that takes your photos to create a mesh and texture maps.