Pioneer in computer imaging prepares itself for a screen test

VIRTUAL Clones, a new spin-out from Glasgow University and the University of Edinburgh, is preparing to launch its virtual character creation software into the international entertainment market.

The company, based at Hillington Park Innovation Centre in Renfrew, won a £45,000 SMART Award from the Scottish Executive last month and is now looking to raise another £50,000 in business angel funding. Virtual Clones’ software reduces the cost and time involved in 3D character development, allowing games or entertainment companies to speed up the complex process of developing realistic celebrity characters. The software was developed as a Proof of Concept project involving the Department of Computing Science at University of Glasgow and the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh.

Chief executive Dr Colin Urquhart said that with computer and console game graphics becoming increasingly realistic, the demand for 3D character creation tools was growing all the time.

“We have been developing this software for years, but it is only recently that we have started to see a real need in the market. The market for 3D content creation for movies and games is forecast to grow by 25% annually and reach $1.2 billion by 2005.”

The application developed by Virtual Clones involves two novel processes. The first has two digital stills cameras taking stereo pairs of images of a subject from different angles. These images are then transformed into a photo-realistic model. The second is known as mesh conformation, which allows an existing virtual character model (usually developed by a games company) to be morphed into the shape of a captured individual. It is this technique that the business aims to initially offer as a service for games clients.

“3D capture is a very difficult process, so we have something quite unique here,” said Urquhart. “A big opportunity will be the next generation of consoles which will be capable of an even higher level of realism. So far, the feedback we have had from games companies has been very favourable.

“Our technology also has potential in the film market, but Hollywood does not use that many virtual characters while the games industry does all the time.”

With Virtual Clones currently taking on consultancy work to generate vital early revenue, Urquhart and co-founder Douglas Green have also secured the support of non-executive director Alastair Minty, formerly of Edinburgh technology firm IndigoVision.

Competition in the 3D character arena is likely to come from established businesses in Canada and Belgium.

“If you are a pure academic it is a tough time to spin out,” said Urquhart, “but we were always focused on commercialising the technology and getting it into the market.”

20 July 2003

Darren Gardner- Sunday Herald