Stereo and 3‐D Display Technologies

Recently, there have been rapid advancements in 3-D techniques and technologies. Hardware has improved and become considerably cheaper, making real-time and interactive 3-D available to the hobbyist, as well as to the researcher. There have been major studies in areas such as molecular modeling, photogrammetry, flight simulation, CAD, visualization of multidimensional data, medical imaging, teleoperations such as remote vehicle piloting and remote surgery, and stereolithography. In computer graphics, the improvements in speed, resolution, and economy make interactive stereo an important capability. Old techniques have been improved, and new ones have been developed. True 3-D is rapidly becoming an important part of computer graphics, visualization, virtual-reality systems, and computer gaming. Numerous 3-D systems are granted patents each year, but very few systems move beyond the prototype stage and become commercially viable. Here, the salient 3-D systems are treated. First, the major depth cues that one uses to determine depth relationships among objects in a scene are described. The history of 3-D displays and an overview of technologies follow. Details are given on the viewing devices required. Large formats, such as IMAX are discused. Autostereoscopic displays with us viewing devices are discussed. Keywords: depth cues; technology taxonomy; overview; viewing devices; large format display; IMAX; autostereoscopic displays; volumetric displays