'''Microsoft Photosynth''' è un software creato da Microsoft che permette di creare una foto in 3D partendo da più foto in 2D. I dati di partenza sono uno svariato numero di fotografie relative a luoghi e oggetti effettuate da varie angolazioni. Questi contenuti vengono analizzati dal software e organizzati per similitudine e affinità; il processo successivo prevede la ricostruzione tridimensionale.

All'utente verrà offerta la possibilità di muoversi virtualmente attorno alla rappresentazione 3D variando il punto di osservazione, effettuando degli zoom per cogliere i particolari ed altre operazioni non ancora ben documentate.

Photosynth nasce dalla collaborazione tra Washington e gruppi legati a Microsoft che si occupa nello specifico di imaging.

<gallery>
Immagine:Photosynth_esempio.jpg|'''Microsoft Photosynth.''' Composizione di foto 2D per ottenere immagini 3D.
Immagine:Photosynth_esempio2.jpg|'''Microsoft Photosynth.''' Composizione di foto 2D per ottenere immagini 3D.
Immagine:Photosynth_esempio3.jpg|'''Microsoft Photosynth.''' Composizione di foto 2D per ottenere immagini 3D.
</gallery>

{{Infobox Software|
|name = Microsoft Live Labs<br />''Photosynth''
|logo = center|Microsoft Live Labs Photosynth logo.
|screenshot = 250px|3D model view of Piazza San Pietro, Rome using Photosynth
|caption = Photosynth technology preview showing Piazza San Pietro, Rome
|developer = Microsoft
|latest_release_version = 
|latest_release_date = 
|latest_preview_version = Beta
|latest_preview_date = November 9 2006
|operating_system = 
|genre = 3D modelling
|license = 
|website = [http://labs.live.com/photosynth http://labs.live.com/photosynth]
}}
'''Photosynth''' is a software technology preview from three-dimensional  CNET News.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Pattern recognition components compare portions of images to create points, which are then compared to convert the image into a model. Currently, users can view models generated by [[Microsoft or the BBC, but not create their own models.

Microsoft has not announced any specific product plans or release dates for Photosynth. It has stated that the software will eventually be web-based and rely on user-submitted digital photos.<ref>BBC News International. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5235724.stm Photos transformed into 3D model]. Accessed at 15:21 UTC July 8, 2006.</ref>

As of November 9, 2006 there is a free tech preview version available through Microsoft.

Microsoft teamed up with NASA on August 6, 2007 allowing users to preview its Photosynth technology showing the Space Shuttle Endeavour. On August 20, 2007, a preview showing the tiles of Endeavour during the backflip process is also available for viewing.

==Process==
The Photosynth technology works in two steps. The first step involves the analysis of multiple photographs taken of the same area. Each photograph is processed using a Rhinoceros. This first step is extremely computationally intensive, but only has to be performed once on each set of photographs.

The second step involves the intelligent display of and navigation through the 3D point cloud of features identified in the first step. This is done with the publicly downloadable Photosynth viewer. The viewer resides on a client computer and maintains a connection to a server that stores the original photographs. It enables a user to, among other things, see any of the photographs from their original vantage point. It incorporates technology Microsoft obtained through its acquisition of Seadragon in January 2006. The Seadragon technology enables smooth zooming into the high-resolution photgraphs without downloading them to the user's machine.

The Photosynth viewing software is only available to the Windows Vista and XP operating systems.