I always feel warm-hearted when I come across 3D-related stuff, especially ones that involve 3D modeling, and the most recent one is about the Vectra 3-D system from Canfield Imaging Systems, which is capturing an image of the face or a body part via 12 different digital cameras at once, at an impressive resolution of 36 megapixels.

This system is now used by cosmetic surgeons to simulate surgery and let patients know exactly how they will come out of the operation room, or at least close. Probably that is why Dr. Brett Kotlus, a cosmetic surgeon at Allure Medical Spa in Shelby Township, keeps raving about the system.

"This 3-D system has a clever interface that constructs a realistic, modifiable image that can be sculpted in the same way that cosmetic surgery would sculpt a nose or a breast. Within minutes, we can see possible surgical results.  In this scenario, a picture is truly worth a thousand words," explains Dr. Kotlus.

As you can see below, patients are able to see a side-by-side image of the untouched version and remodeled simulation. It is really neat that 3-D imaging has been embedded in such a way, allowing for a very modern method in aiding cosmetic surgeons and patients have better feedback from each other. Thanks to this, humanity can forget the old red and blue tinted glasses that were used to see what people might look after cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Charles Mok, another cosmetic surgeon at the same clinic, that has been using the Vectra 3-D system since last year, stated the following, "The 3-D simulator helps me to communicate in a specific way and set the patient's expectations. When they are realistic about what can be achieved with surgery, they are much happier after having a procedure."


We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is