#ADPro, stereo 3D, DCTV
15 messages in this thread
GREETINGS!
Thanks to a "partially documented" feature in the new ADPro, Amiga users
can now make stereoscopic 3D images that can be used with almost any Amiga
authoring environment. Briefly, Haitex original 3D file format was a
modified ILBM format with left and right eye images "stacked" one atop the
other. This was SUPPOSED to make some animation and drawing operations
easier/faster, but it could not be used with standard Amiga IFF/ILBM-using
programs.
With the new ADpro, the user acquires separate left and right eye images
(up to 736 X 241 non-interlace) stacks them up (composites them; right
image uppermost for recording use–see below) then executes the INTERLACE
operator. Even better, this image can be put out as a "24 bit" DCTV file
using the ADPro DCTV operator. DCTV images, properly handled, are much
brighter than IFF images displayed on an RGB monitor–believe it or not!
The resulting standard IFF or DCTV images can be used with programs like
CanDo, AmigaVision, and The Director to produce interactive 3D programs
that virturally jump out of the screen. To toggle the LCD glasses when
viewing the program, the Haitex mouse/interface box can be used with their
ON3D utility or an external synch driver can be used. I prefer to use the
StereoDriver 2001 from 3DTV Corp. (P.O. Box 13059 San Rafael CA
214/479-3516). This needs a video signal source (I use the A2000 video
out, the DCTV video out, or the genlock out) but it's worth using because
it also allows recording and playback with standard video tape (assuming a
genlock or DCTV goes to the VCR video in).
These wonderful features in ADPro allow virtually any Amiga user to
experiment with or make practical use of stereo 3D images! DCTV can be
used, by the way, with a standard camcorder and a "swing-arm" to acquire
right and left images.
I hope some of you can make use of this! I'm making interactive programs
for teaching anatomy using this technique. I will upload a DCTV skull
image for other users to see.
Well, it looks like it's time for me to turn in my aluminum cans so I can
get AdPro…
I'll be looking for your skull image. This sure sounds like a great idea!
By the way, whateverhappenedto Haitex, anyway?! My brother tried to order a
pair of their glasses a few months back and was told they were no longer
available.
Robert Fisher
Haitek is still around, absolutely. I just received a pair of glasses, and
their 'VCR-3D' setup from them a few weeks ago.
You can reach them at:
Haitek Resources, Inc.
PO Box 20609
Charleston, SC 29413-0609
fax 803-881-7522
phone 803-881-7518
Another thought on 3D (on a budget) is the red/blue glasses. While I have
the x-specs I have also done quite a few stereo images this way, as well as
a few anims. Works real well, actually. ADPro or IM/IP can modify your
images to use this method real easy also.
–jp–seattle–
John,
Aaaarrggh!! More irresistible gadgets! I was hoping someone would come
up with a current address for Haitek, but not so soon! Curse you. <grin>
I'm really looking forward to creating **REAL** 3-D animations. Have you
tried it? And do I gather from mention of the "interlace format" that the
glasses can now switch on each scanline, rather than each field? That would
mean no more flicker, right?
Blaq! – via Whap!
I've done a few 3D animations, but all short, real time on the Amiga. Works
real well. It was easy when Silver had direct X-Specs support, but then
with Imagine they tool X-Specs support out. But the good news is: X-Specs
support is BACK IN IMAGINE 2.0! I'm thrilled!
I also have experimented with DigiView and 3D animations… works real well
too.
The limitation was always the short length (ie. had to play in memory). But
now, with Haitek's X-Specs interface for VCR's I can splice and play longer
3D animations! I'm going to try that out RSN! TTFN
(BTW, Haitek also sells a bunch of 3D videotapes for use with their VCR
interface; I guess so folks have something immediately to watch. I'm
thinking of ordering the 'Cyberthon in 3D' (VR expo) tape, or maybe the
'The Stewardesses'? — just kidding –)
–jp–seattle–
John,
I guess I missed some earlier discussions; what's this talk about some
kind of 3D videotape thingie from the Haitex guys?
Thanks,
Karl
– via Whap!
Well, Haitek will sell you, even though it's not 'officially' released yet,
their VCR interface for the X-Specs glasses. This allows you to record
your 3D anims on tape, and view them with the glasses later (on TV, not
hooked up to an amiga, in other words).
This makes possible having *long* 3D animations (or short movies, if you
like) on tape! Neat! Give them a call.
–jp–seattle–
John,
Hmm. I wonder how they sync the glasses to the video rate of the TV?
Picking up horizontal is easy; picking up vertical-interval ain't so
straightforward.
Karl
– via Whap!
There's a gadget, of course. 🙂
You run the video signal from the VCR to the box, then run the output of
the box to the TV. The glasses (two) plug into the box. The box detects
the frame sync, and operates the glasses.
One use I can see for it already would be to put together a videotape of
Amiga generated 3D anims…. ala the AW demo tape? Would be a nice
economical way to distribute the 3D stuff…. I wonder if ASDG would be
interested in some high quality 3D 24bit anims for their project?
–jp–seattle–
John,
I'd love to see a videotape full of 3D work, but a recent experience
would prepare me to be disappointed.
Minolta (I think) publishes a special magazine full of interesting
photographic stuff. The one currently available has some red/blue 3D stuff
with glasses included. Some images are very impressive, but many of them
have areas where the separations is so severe, my eyes just can't combine
them. We showed it around the lab, and quite a few could not. And that's
been the same with some of the X-Specs stuff I've seen too. There are vague
guidelines as to what the separation should be, but certainly nothing
standard. I'm afraid a compilation from various sources would include stuff
that'd make your head spin. I'm gettin' a headache just thinking about it!
Karl
– via Whap!
You're right. I've downloaded a couple stereo anims, images that really
seem too far seperated. Man, you sure don't need much, particularly with
anims where you also have motion to help heighten the 3D effect.
Still, a tape would sure be a neat way to release stuff. Heck, if everyone
would render their 3D anims in both X-Specs and RedBlue formats, then the
tape would have a wider audience, by providing the RedBlue glasses along
with it?
–jp–seattle–
I saw The Stewardesses a few years back at a theater in Sacramento… The
3-D effects were even worse than the plot and the acting!
John,
upon further reading, namely Amigaven, I realized that an interlaced
picture would show all even lines for one field, followed by all the odd
lines. Ergo, 30 Hz flicker. I _knew_ liquid crystal couldn't react at 15
KHz.
Blaq! – via Whap!
Thanks for the info. I'll pass it along to my brother and maybe he can get
the X-Specs, too.
I LIKE the VCR idea… I saw the same type of thing a couple of months ago
in one of those electronic gadget/toy/clearance/discount catalogs. I don't
recall which one (DAK or one of the others). I thought of Haitek. Maybe
I'll give 'em a call.
So many toys, so little money, so little time!
Robert
Dunno, Robert. I've lost track of Haitex myself. 3DTV Corp. sells Haitex
XSpecs. I'll try to find out what happened.