Tru3D: 3D + S3D Technology explained : 3D Media, 3D Formats, DIY 3D, 3D enhancements, future 3D technology

3D Technology and StereoScopic Vision

Today we have the hardware and software needed to enable 3D displays with previously made video games, movies, animations, industrial applications, and much more. These technologies are based on existing off the shelf consumer products.

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3D History

In June 1838, Sir Charles Wheatstone addressed the Royal Scottish Society of Arts on the phenomena of binocular vision. Wheatstone showed that horizontal disparity (objects at different distances) was an effective depth cue by creating the illusion of depth from flat pictures that differed only in horizontal disparity. To display his pictures separately to the two eyes, Wheatstone invented the stereoscope. His mirror stereoscopic viewer required that both pictures in the pair be reversed laterally. In describing the equipment he said: "I...propose that it be called a Stereoscope to indicate its property of representing solid figures. The word "stereo" comes from the Greek word "stereos" which means firm or solid. Wheatstone's actual stereoscope is preserved at the Science Museum in London.

Additionally, some methods, such as time sequential left/right eye addressing (active glasses), will negatively affect viewer's vision systems and cause discomfort to various degrees. Because the left and right eye shutters in the glasses alternately open and close to assure each eye sees only the appropriate image, the brain must work overtime to compile these sequential images into one image that ultimately shows the 3D effect. This extra demand on the brain leads to nausea and headaches. Extreme cases, like photosensitive epilepsy (PSE) may cause lasting vision defects and may even require hospitalization (Pokemon Incident). Nevertheless, for critical data acquisition and tasks that can not be carried out otherwise, such as laparoscopic surgery or complex molecular modeling, doctors, engineers and scientist will resort to time sequential 3D viewing. Because 3D effects with such professional equipment can be compelling, users can minimize the associated discomfort by using the equipment for short intervals and by limiting theoverall viewing time. In the entertainment industry, 3D movies were released as early as 1915. Although during the past century StereoViewing Equipment and content was developed for entertainment, these efforts all fell short of expectations in image quality and viewing comfort.

However, with the advances in camera technology and computer graphics content creation, the movie industry is focusing on 3D once more. With IMAX being probably the leader with its 3D cameras that incorporate two identical lenses which are precisely spaced to match the distance between human eyes. This interocular distance allows each lens to "see" both left and right-eye views exactly as your eyes would see them. This helps to facilitate realistic 3D images once projected. To enable the 3D effect, polarized glasses worn by the audience are precisely matched with the polarizing filters of the projector's twin lenses. While the projector lenses superimpose separate left and right eye views on the screen, the polarizer glasses make sure that each eye sees the appropriate image, allowing the brain to create a single 3D image. Actually polarizer glasses for 3D viewing are much like polarized Sunglasses everyone wears to protect their eyes from bright light and glare. With one exception, for 3D viewing the polarization angels of the glasses need to match the polarization of the image. IMAX movies and Real D screenings, such as Polar Express and Monster House, received great response from the theater going public, which is a validation of polarization based 3D as being comfortable for long periods of 3D viewing with polarized glasses.

Presently, because of rapidly advancing technology and market conditions, 3D in the entertainment market is receiving renewed attention. Although 3D movies are shown in more than 700 theaters in the US, compelling 3D content for home entertainment is prevalent only in the electronic gaming market. Electronic games is the largest and only cohesive addressable market segment. With its annual hardware and content revenues of over $100 billion, and hundreds of games designed in 3D, this market is ready for 3D monitors. Playing games in 3D is a new dimension that makes players feel part of the game. The rapid growth of the publics interest in 3D is underlined by James Cameron recent statement: 3D display will become a must for video and computer games and by Jeff Katzenberg's prediction that movie-goers will some day own their own glasses for 3-D viewing much like they own sunglasses today.

With the promise of compelling content, 3D monitors are becoming consumer electronics products which pave the way for 3D to enter the home, not only for gameplaying, but also for TV entertainment.

General Technical Status:

Hardware Requirements:

The good news is that everything needed for 3D Spatial Displays are commercially available, off the shelf, with a minimal need for technical support. The controls and systems are based on present day PC platform technologies yet take advantage of the emerging processing power of 32 and 64 bit Intel processors for video. The media players can be configured to display images on the appropriate screen and resolution via a simple setup application similar to adjusting home theater surround sound stereo systems.

Software Requirements:

Virtually any of the popular 3D applications such as LightWave 3D, Maya, or 3D Studio Max, can be used to create content for a Spatial 3D display. There are presently over 300 industrial CG.CAD, DCC applications that are compatible with the Spatial 3D displays.

Video Production:

To produce a Spatial 3D Video, it is necessary to use multiple cameras that are recording from separate perspectives. There are 3 options to achieve this: 1- a standard 2D camera image and a post-produced depth map; 2 ? a dual/side-by-side camera setup; 3 ? a series of 8 cameras aligned on a single mount in parallel.

Web References:
http://www.imax.com/chicago/theatreinformation/imaxexperience.html
http://www.vision3d.com/stereo.html
http://www.optometrists.org/visuallearning/vision_therapy.html
http://www.samsungsdi.com/contents/en/product/3d/structure.html
http://www.3dgear.com/scsc/movies/firsts.html
http://www.reald.com