Abstract: A system and method for editing digital images in three dimensions includes a computer for storing a digital image of an object and a background, as well as at least one additional background image which includes various components in a three dimensional configuration. The periphery, or edge, of the object has a first hue, and the surrounding background has a second hue. Based upon the difference between the hues and a predetermined hue difference, the computer locates the edge of the object and removes portions of the image (i.e., the background) that are outside the edge. Then, the object can be combined with a preselected one of the other background images so as to form a composite image. Components of the preselected background image are assigned relative positions in the X-Y plane, and are also assigned a value defining their location in one of a plurality of layers which form the Z dimension of the image.

Abstract: A system and method for editing digital images in three dimensions includes a computer for storing a digital image of an object and a background, as well as at least one additional background image. Based upon the difference between the hues of the edge of the object and the surrounding background and a predetermined hue difference, the computer locates the edge of the object and removes portions of the image (i.e., the background) that are outside the edge. Then, the object can be combined with a preselected one of the other background images so as to form a composite image. Components of the preselected background image are assigned relative positions in the X-Y plane, and are also assigned a value defining their location in one of a plurality of layers which form the Z dimension of the image. The object to be combined with the background is also assigned a value defining its location in at least one of those layers.

Abstract: A system and method for editing digital images includes a processor for storing a digital image of an object and a background. The periphery, or edge, of the object has a first hue, and the background has a second hue. Based upon the difference between the hues and a predetermined hue difference, the processor locates the edge of the object and removes portions of the image (i.e., the background) that are outside the edge. Then, the object can be combined with a preselected background so as to form a composite image. Optionally, the gamma of the image of the preselected background and the gamma of the image of the object can be matched, thereby making the object appear as if it was imaged under the same lighting conditions as the preselected background.

Abstract: An apparatus housed in a booth for automatically producing printed postcards incorporating a self-portrait of the user integrated into a pictorial background including a cash-receiving device, a computer triggered by cash received in the device, a video camera in the booth to view the user, a video monitor on which the video camera image of the user is displayed, a series of pictorial backgrounds in digitized electronic form stored in the computer for selective withdrawal therefrom by the user to be integrated with their image and a printer for obtaining the integrated user's pose and pictorial background and printing it on a postcard for immediate use.