The Foundry Licenses Top-level Dynamic Range Image Technology From Apical

Leading software visual effects developer The Foundry today announced that its soon-to-be-released Furnace 4 for Shake plug-in collection will incorporate sophisticated dynamic range compression technology from Apical, a leading technology company whose products enhance the performance of electronic imaging devices, including the latest digital SLRs.
Furnace will utilise Apical’s Iridix technology to automatically detect and enhance shadow regions in an image whilst controlling highlights in other parts of the image.
Apical’s Iridix technology is based on pioneering research into human vision, and incorporates Retina-Morphic Processing that enables electronic devices to “see like the eye”.
Iridix mimics the way the human eye and brain compress the massive dynamic range of real-world scenes, balancing contrast whilst retaining a natural “artefact-free” appearance. Iridix provides automatic adaptive adjustment of the tonal range in an image, resulting in the enhancement of deep shadows and oversaturated bright regions, without affecting mid-tones.
Dr Michael Tusch, CEO of Apical commented: “We are delighted to partner with The Foundry to offer Furnace users a new kind of cutting-edge image enhancement technology which provides reliable, intuitive and high-quality control of dynamic range.”
Apical’s technology is incorporated within Contrast, one of the new Furnace 4 for Shake plug-ins to be launched at NAB 2007 in April. Contrast will tackle footage, shot on film or HD, where the lighting was insufficient to reveal deep shadows in the scene. Utilising Apical’s technology, it will automatically detect and enhance the shadow region without blowing out highlights in other parts of the image. Contrast achieves precise image correction whilst preserving the natural appearance of the image, but without introducing unwanted artefacts.
“Our focus for Furnace is to deliver real solutions and cutting-edge technology that genuinely help our customers in the creation of digital visual effects,” commented Dr Bill Collis, head of research and development, The Foundry. “Whilst we were researching Furnace 4 we came across Apical’s technology and quickly realised it’s potential as a really useful tool for the post production industry.
“The vast majority of our Furnace algorithms are engineered in house but on occasion we come across third party applications that are just to good to miss, and we certainly felt that this was the case with Apical’s Iridix. I am certain that our customers will reap the benefits of Apical’s sophisticated dynamic range compression technology.”
Apical is highly regarded in the professional and consumer image device market. Although The Foundry is the first company to bring Apical’s technology to the post production industry it is joining a first-rate client list including several internationally leading consumer electronics manufacturers.
The Foundry’s Furnace enjoys an enviable reputation, having been used on a host of high profile feature films including 'Casino Royale', 'X-Men 3 The Last Stand', 'The Da Vinci Code', 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', 'Batman Begins', 'King Kong', 'The Lord of The Rings Trilogy', 'Poseidon' and 'Superman Returns'.
(SP)