(28 December 2006 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: In a move that should send waves through Hollywood, model and television celebrity Adrianne Curry and NVIDIA, which works in the field of programmable graphics processor technology, have teamed up to create the world’s first real-time virtual 3D celebrity.

This breakthrough, which was created using Softimage XSI and NVidia professional graphics solutions, opens the door for ‘stars’ to create and license detailed replicas of their likeness without ever having to make a physical appearance or take a photograph.

Virtual celebrity licensing will have a multitude of applications, including adapting celebrity characters into newly developed video games, virtual modelling and endorsements, digital appearances in film and television, and virtual hosting on Web sites or traditional broadcast media.

Curry says, 'I am honoured to have been selected as the first celebrity for this project. The Digital Adrianne is so realistic, it’s really trippy. Lara Croft, eat my shorts!”

Curry, NVidia states, is the ideal choice for this venture as she is on the cutting-edge of this fresh, new trend in Hollywood. In addition to her successful modelling career, which has landed her on the pages of Maxim, Playboy, Sync and Marie Claire magazines. She has appeared in TV shows like America’s Next Top Model.

NVidia senior VP marketing Dan Vivoli says, “The uses for this technological breakthrough are truly endless. The digital Adrianne can demonstrate the same range of emotions, movements, and attitudes and appear just as lifelike as her living, breathing counterpart. It is simply a stunning transformation."