Seeing in 3D

A 3D projection system developed by students at Manchester University could breathe new life into painful PowerPoint presentations.

A team of six entrepreneurs - including three physics students and one physics graduate - has developed a digital system called PixelScape, which takes 3D computer images and projects them onto hundreds of tensioned nylon threads.

The result is stunning 3D colour projections measuring around one metre high, one metre deep and two metres wide.

The team's innovative work has landed them the £25,000 first prize in Manchester University's Venture Further competition for budding entrepreneurs.

Now in its second year, the Venture competition  is an opportunity for staff and students to test their ideas as potential new business opportunities. It is run by the Manchester Science and Enterprise Centre (MSEC).

With further development, the winning team believe PixelScape could be used to project graphs and other illustrative objects commonly found in PowerPoint slides.

So instead of just pointing at something on a screen, a presenter could turn the object into a 3D projection, walk around it - and even reach right into it.