CompuServe Thread

#Stereoscopic Images

19 messages in this thread
#144821From: ROBERT RITGERJan 3, 1995 3:58 PM
I am interested in creating a stereoscopic pair of still images of a scene. My first inclination was to render each of the images at an "eye's distance" apart. This would be about 2.75" apart if I use myself as a guide. Will this yield a good result? Other info: -The scene is a building interior. -The furthest object away is 150'. -There are no objects close to the eye (but I could put stuff up close if it would make the image more dramatic. Any other helpful hints would be most welcome. Bob
#144880From: bruce gorenJan 3, 1995 10:10 PM
Bob, That will work just fine. You should also experiment with larger inter-occular distances for big vistas, this is known as hyper-stereo. While not truly realistic it can be more artistically pleasing. Also try experimenting with convergence/toe-in. This will affect where the object of interest lies in the 3-D window. Parallel cameras work but are not really correct. It is normal for human eyeballs to accomodate slightly when focusing, but it is not always necessary in stereoscopy to have the left and right views converge. Bruce N. Goren
#144890From: ROBERT RITGERJan 3, 1995 11:29 PM
Bruce: Thanks for your response. Naturally I have more questions: 1. 'Convergence/toe in' is a new term for me. From context am I correct in figuring this is describing the distance between the look at points for each eye? 2. I'm really looking for drama vs. realism so should I spread the eyes and have them look at a coincidental point in space? Parallel points in space? Or should I have the look at points farther away than parallel? 3. Is there any benefit to varying from a human FOV? 4. Are there any methods for testing the images without going all the way to transparencies? Thanks Bob
#144975From: bruce gorenJan 4, 1995 12:37 PM
Bob, 1. It's the angle formed with the object at the vertex when the eyes are not looking parallel. 2. Start with normally eye-spaced parallel cameras, then experiment — there's no instant formula for dramatic looks other than good photographic sense of composition and style. 3. As Above. 4. Free viewing stereo pairs is one method, hard trick to master. Try converting the pairs to a red/blue anaglyph. There's shareware and commercial programs that can create the combos. Bruce
#145034From: ROBERT RITGERJan 4, 1995 6:01 PM
Bruce: Thanks again for the tips. I'll see if I can't come up with something worth looking at. Bob
#145353From: WillJan 6, 1995 3:34 PM
Robert You might have found a program to do it automatically for you (like Rayman) but if your going to manually move the camera and want convergence/toe in, the images will be wrong if you just move the camera. The reason is the quaterion mathmatics or something that 3DS uses. What I did to get correct convergence was first place the camera target on what I want the focus point. Then link everything in the keyframer and rotate it till the camera line is horizontal. Now render. Then measure the length of the camera line, move it to new angle and use the tape to get it back at the same distance and render again. The reason to do this because it the camera and camera target are not on the same hrizontal plane then moving the camera will tilt the view. This effect is more pronounced the more you look down or up such as looking down a skyscraper. Hope I didn't confuse you and that it helps, I know there is a lot out there to auto this. —————————–Will
#145514From: ROBERT RITGERJan 7, 1995 3:55 PM
Will: Yeah, I think you did confuse me a bit. Wouldn't I get the effect I want by setting up one camera and target and then copying it to a point an eye distance away? I'm only looking for one still shot so I don't understand the linking and rotating you mention in the Keyframer. Bob
#145543From: WillJan 7, 1995 6:05 PM
Bob, load oldcity3 and in the top view move the camera above the road intersection. Now move the camera in an arc and notice in the perspective window how it tilts, the horizontal moves to a different plane. If you were to move the camera 2 units in this model the difference would not be that notice able, but if you move it alot (such as if you want to make the city look like a toy) it will be very apparent and there will be no 3D effect. If the camera is at a 45 angle you might be able to get away with just moving it to the new eye position but it will be technically incorrect and thus maybe harder to instantly see the 3D image. I'm a perfectionist so I use the method I outlined, that way I'm sure it's going to be most effective. Note: the reason I rotated everything in the keyframer is because you set it up how you want it and then in the KF you can link everything and rotate it, so that the image appears the same once rotated). Another thing, you probably already know this but if you want a superimposed red and blue image you can easily use Photoshop or Photostyler. What I want to know is how do you know what objects will pop out of the screen? For toe-in images I think its any one that is between the camera and its target, but I'm not sure. What about for parallel images? I'd like to know. Hope this helps, ——————-Will
#145571From: ROBERT RITGERJan 7, 1995 10:22 PM
Will: /_______________________From your message________________________\\ Now move the camera in an arc and notice in the perspective window how it tilts, the horizontal moves to a different plane. __________________________________________________________________ You seem to be describing the situation at the poles – quaternion camera problem area. The image I am after has the camera nearer the equator and the target is almost horizontal. The forced quaternion roll is a killer at the poles but I haven't run into any difficulty elsewhere. /_______________________From your message________________________\\ Another thing, you probably already know this but if you want a superimposed red and blue image you can easily use Photoshop or Photostyler. __________________________________________________________________ The images I'm after will be true color. Bob
#144916From: Michael BassierJan 4, 1995 3:01 AM
Hi Robert! Do you know that RayMan has an option to render stereoscopic images? Load your 3DS scene, set the eye distcance, world scale and std. stereo picture distance and render the scene. The easiest way to render stereo images from your 3DS files I know. Michael
#144947From: ROBERT RITGERJan 4, 1995 9:24 AM
Michael: /_____________From your message_____________\\ Do you know that RayMan has an option to render stereoscopic images? _______________________________________________ I had no idea, thanks for the heads up. If I were able to get the money for your program I'd give it a shot. I'm on a seriously limited budget. Bob
#146261From: Stuart NicholsonJan 12, 1995 12:37 AM
How much is RAYMAN and where do we get it form?
#146273From: Michael BassierJan 12, 1995 2:05 AM
The special price for RayMan is 595 US$ until Jan. 31th (or Feb. 28th, I`m not sure now). You can get RayMan from Digimation (and other Dealer too but I only know Digimation). But you should hurry up. Because of the special price (normal price is 948 US$) and we have a lot of orders so it may be possible to have some delays if you wait for a long time. Michael
#146804From: Stuart NicholsonJan 14, 1995 11:32 PM
Is there a 'crippled' version of rayman or something, so I can get a feel for the speed etc of it?. I am interested in all info on it b4 purchasing (of course) like does it work with IPAS 4 etc etc.
#146974From: Michael BassierJan 16, 1995 1:44 AM
We`re thinking about a demo version of RayMan but I don`t believe we`ll have one for the first release. If you want more information you can ask Digimation. As you might know RayMan is not an IPAS but a stand alone render-engine. It reads you complete material information but doesn`t compute IPAS effects (in the first release) like WATER.SPX, VAPOR.APX and so on… Michael
#145209From: Ray McLaineJan 5, 1995 5:28 PM
We have a program that will help you. call me at Synthonics, Inc. 818-707-6000
#145216From: ROBERT RITGERJan 5, 1995 6:26 PM
Ray: Why not tell me what you got right here on ASOFT. Other folks will benefit as well. Thanks. Bob
#145297From: Kurt McKeeverJan 6, 1995 11:18 AM
Hi Ray! Are you an ASOFT lurker?? I talked with Alba yesterday. She mentioned next Wed. as a possible date for 3dmaker?? How did the tape look to you guys? I'd like to try an image or flic at the 752 x 480 x .82 aspect ratio that we use when dumping to tape. Let me know..Also, for the picture you would use in your PCG&V ad, would we give you a .TGA image and you turn it into the stereoscopic image, or do we need the 3dmaker program before we can give you an image.. drop me an email. Brent Baumann,72202,3562 RTI Animation
#146244From: gayle simonJan 11, 1995 11:06 PM
can you tell me more about 3dmaker? i am new to 3ds and would like to make 3ds images. i also need a way to putput my animations if you could email me your rates . thanks gayle.