Microsoft is making 3-D photo technology available to businesses through PhotoSynth and Virtual Earth. The two products have been integrated so businesses can use the software to stitch together photos and create 3-D models. The models can then be viewed online with Microsoft's Silverlight technology.

Users can share their 3-D models online at www.photosynth.net. The site is fun to surf around if you have time. It has models of the terra cotta warriors in Xi'an, China, the leaning tower of Pisa and the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, also known as the final resting place of the Holy Grail in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." Only the penitent man shall photosynth.

Organizations like VisitBrighton have used the technology to give visitors an idea of attractions in the city in the U.K. Other businesses that Microsoft hopes will possibly use the technology include real-estate companies that can provide virtual tours of homes, retail businesses to show off products and stores, media and entertainment and the public sector to distribute information on public services and buildings.

The Microsoft Photosynth team recapped its hectic first-day in the wild, marked by a huge wave of interest that overwhelmed the service and temporarily knocked it down. They were back up and running by late Thursday.

Here are some usage stats from the first 24 hours, posted early this morning: