 |
NOW AVAILABLE IN CANADA & US Exclusively Distributed by Active Computer Services |
 |
Special Equipment for Advanced and High-End Gigapixel Panoramic Photography & VR Applications
As a leading developer and producer of automatic robotics for professional image acquisition for many years, Dr. Clauss Image and Data Technology GmbH offers the latest technologies with high quality standards. With intensive product research and development, and consideration of individual customer requirements, Clauss customers appreciate the precision and solid system solutions for various high-end applications.
 |
The complete solution for recording high-resolution panoramas, gigapixel photography and premium HDR images.
|
 |
 |
Automatic pan-and-tilt-head for spherical or cylindrical panoramic photography.
|
 |
APPLICATIONS
Google Art Project is an online compilation of high-resolution images of artworks from galleries worldwide, as well as a virtual tour of the galleries in which they are housed. The project was launched on 1 February 2011, and includes works in the Tate Gallery, London; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City; and the Uffizi, Florence. Google Art Project was created using the Rodeon VR Station HD, Rodeon VR Head HD, and Rodeon VR Head ST.
Paris 26 Gigapixels is an interactive image showing a view of the French capital and its famous monuments, from the Eiffel Tower to the Pantheon. It was shot by photographer Arnaud Frich and Martin Loyer using a custom-made Rodeon VR Head HD and 2 Canon 5D Mark II DSLR cameras with 300mm f4.0 lenses and two 2x tele converter (equivalent 600mm f8.0). The 2346 images of the project were then assembled using Kolor Autopano Giga software.
A.F.B. media GmbH created Dresden 26 Gigapixels using the Rodeon VR Station ST, Canon 5D Mark II and a Canon 400mm lens. The image consists of 1,665 full format pictures at 21.4 megapixels each. If printed, this image would have a size of 105m x 35m (at 72 dpi), which equals approximately the size of a soccer pitch. Dresden 26 Gigapixels stood as the world's largest photograph on Dec 2009.
Haltadefinizione is a company located in Italy, which specializes in high-resolution reproductions of historical heritage of world-class. As a technology partner, CLAUSS provides the best and latest developments in the field of robotics and automatic image recording for free.
PROJECT : Scrovegni Chapel in Padua
(Nov 2010)High-resolution reproduction of the frescoes by Giotto di Bondone
PROJECT : Basilica of San Francesco d' Assisi (2009)
High-resolution reproduction of the frescoes by Giotto di Bondone
After the devastating earthquake of 1997, which haunted one of the seven highest-ranking chapels (Basilica Maior) of the Catholic Church, the Basilica of "San Francesco" in Assisi, and damaged it heavily, the fresco cycle by Giotto di Bondone has been extensively reconstructed among others. These frescoes, considered to be one of the most valuable art treasures, have now been digitally scanned in high resolution and faithfully reproduced for posterity and for the public.
The frescoes were scanned with the specially designed RODEON VR Head GT, which offers the opportunity to move two studio flash lamps (Elinchrom Digital S) with focusing optics (Elinchrom Zoom Spot 18 - 36°) along with the camera (Nikon D3x) with long focal length lenses (Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600 mm 1:4D IF-ED II). The VR Head possesses a gimballed mount which has been designed with sufficient measure (122 cm x 80 cm), that the whole inner frame including all the photographic equipment is able to rotate through. For gears, the approved models from the RODEON VR Head HD with 72'000 steps and electromagnetic brake have been used.
This special construction, which allows it to move the light along with the camera, stands out by its proven low light impact on these art treasures.
PROJECT : The Last Supper (2007)
High-resolution reproduction of the frescoe by Leonardo da Vinci
The project started at the beginning of 2007, as a result of the meeting between the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities - Milan Landscape and Architectural Assets Office, De Agostini and HAL9000, a worldwide leader in the high-definition photography sector.
The photograph of "The Last Supper," one of the most delicate and protected works in the world, is the result of many months of work and research, during which specific lighting and photography techniques were developed. The protection of the painting was, right from the start, the main concern of the HAL9000 technicians and the Architectural Assets Office; the photography system was subject to technical inspection at the Environmental Control and Physics Laboratory at the Central Restoration Institute in Rome, which decided the system was totally suitable in accordance with current standards for the safeguarding of artistic works.
The project was made possible thanks to the assistance of various partners: AMD, an American multinational which provided the high-tech processing technology; CLAUSS, a German company which provided the high-precision orientation structure, De Agostini, who provided web and communication support; I-Net, who provided high-speed Internet access, and Nikon, for high-tech state-of-the-art photographic equipment.
CLAUSS Rodeon VR Head is the panoramic head that has made it possible to create an innovative, accurate and stable pointing system which allows the camera and the lighting device to work simultaneously.
The Rodeon VR Head is a product which offers enormous flexibility by adapting expertly to any kind of panoramic shot, it allows complete and precise 360° orientation by the camera of the desired object or scene. The Rodeon VR Head provides geometrically correct installation for all camera types, both consumer and professional.
The modularity of the system allows simple, rapid and efficient adaptability to any shooting condition, both indoor and outdoor. The system can be worked by remote control, both wireless or cable, to perform either automated or user interactive operations. Thanks to the continuous support from CLAUSS, this system has allowed for the development of an extremely sophisticated pointing device which was expressly designed for the photographing of "The Last Supper."
One of the main features of the Rodeon VR Head system is the very high pointing resolution, only a 54 second arc, which allows full control of 24'000 different pointing positions on a single rotation of the camera, both horizontally and vertically.
The modularity of the CLAUSS Rodeon Modular system is the key feature which facilitated the designing, in a brief time, of a custom built unit with the mechanical properties required for the shooting of "The Last Supper." The possibility to take advantage of different communication interfaces made it easier to satisfy the system's reliability requirements. Reliability was also increased by the motor units communicating with the main control unit through the dedicated bus system.
The Rodeon Modular motor units are not only highly accurate in pointing, but are also very compact despite the considerable power drive which is capable of guaranteeing a 4 Nm torque for a fluid and precise motion even when operating a device weighting 20kg like the one used for the shooting of "The Last Supper."
