IIT student designs innovative solution for 3D scanning technology
View(s):The Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT-www.iit.ac.lk) which takes pride in nurturing students and gearing them to take on the challenges of the modern working world, recently held the “ IIT Cutting Edge” exhibition for the 11th consecutive year , which showcases the projects of all final year students studying BEng (Hons) Software Engineering and BSc (Hons) Information Systems with Business Management.
Amongst these many innovations, one of the most outstanding projects belonged to the winner of the software category, Amal Gunatilake. Explaining further about the benefits of his innovation Amal stated that this product was a very cost effective solution and said that currently all the best 3D scanning technologies are based on laser scanning methodology and they tend to be very expensive. In-order to operate laser 3D scanners, operators require a set of expertise knowledge as well. Most of the laser scanners are not 
profitable and portable devices become more expensive. When comparing a model scanned using the current 3D technology with an original real world object, there are many differences such as shape deformations, texture displacements, poor lighting and poor specular reflectivity. This project therefore focused on the development and evaluation of an application which will capture real world objects as realistic 3D models (natural texturing, shape, lighting, reflections, specular levels, highlights and shadow) and display them in the virtual world for selected application domains. The proposed solution is highly economical and gives maximum productivity to the user and it only requires the basic knowledge of operating a smart phone, PC or any other device which possesses a camera and processing power.
Elaborating further he said that taking part in the Cutting Edge exhibition was a truly rewarding experience. He went on to say that with IT today being a truly global activity which motivates us to think out of the box and initiate our own innovation , my institute has certainly contributed to honing my creative abilities.
His project is also nominated by IIT for the National Best Quality Software Awards (NBQSA) 2013 which is to be held in few days. He further states, that being nominated for the NBQSA is another achievement in his life, because it is one of the prestigious, national level competitions that a Software Engineering student can participate.
IIT always encourages an all round education for its students to develop both hard skills and soft skills. Amongst them are leadership, organizing skills, people management, and taking responsibility are some that Amal could develop during his stay at IIT by being in the Rotaract Club of IIT as the Professional Development Director in 2011, IIT Student Union President in 2012, and the International Understanding Director in the Rotaract Club of IIT in 2012.
Amal is graduating in BEng (Hons) Software Engineering in 2013 with a first class in a few months. He did his internship at Zone 24×7 where he was involved in conducting Research and Development for web solutions. His hands on experience during the internship contributed a lot to develop such an innovative solution in 3D technology to the industry. He is also a member of the winning team “Firebird” of Samsung Digital Native Award at the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2013 Global Competition held in Russia recently. Currently he works as a Software Engineer at WSO2 and states that his ultimate goal is to form his own company.
He went on to say that “I chose to study at IIT because I wanted to study at the highest level and broaden my mind; I felt that IIT had one of the best environments to achieve this. My time at IIT has been unequivocally one of the most valuable experiences of my life and the lecture panel here has absolutely the most innovative thinkers that motivate us. Thus staff has been very helpful and the facilities are first-class. Also the exposure and learning at IIT are truly an investment in my life which brought me up to this level even before I graduate. Therefore I would like to invite students who are willing to take path in IT or Software Engineering to visit IIT to obtain a world renowned degree as I have, due to its reputation locally and globally.
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