In 2010 3D technology was considered perhaps the most popular and marketable innovation. Interest in 3D now is lower, and every day there are more and more people who are dissatisfied with it. However, the criticism is just another step on the path to progress. In this article it will be discussed how the volume 3D is gotten, and what technologies are used for this purpose.
A bit of theory:
The basis of 3D-technology is the idea of creating two images for each eye of the user. The idea is to create a 3D-content (photos and videos) is easy – just combine the two cameras in a single device, and then put together the information obtained from them. It is much harder to “show 3D”, ie to show definite image to definite eye.
Basic knowledge from the optics course resemble that the creation of “volume” is possible by means of polarization of the light flux. To create the illusion of three-dimensional image it is enough to skip the light through special crystals which refract light. To view this image you will require the use of special polarizing glasses. On the principle of polarization iMah 3D technology is based. It is used in cinemas and is not applicable in consumer electronics.
The first steps in the field of 3D-technology are based on the separation of images for each eye by color. This video (or image) is called anaglyph, and to view the anaglyph content you need special red-blue glasses (for one eye – a red filter, for another – a blue one). However, this approach limps in color rendition and image quality. Anaglyph video was popular in the 70-80s of the last century, but since then a lot of water has flowed already, and there is XXI century in the world, the era of technology.
The division of lines:
The idea to form different images to each eye by progressive output them to the screen is much more modern and advanced. On it is based, perhaps, the most widely used 3D-technology XpanD, which is used in cinemas and 3D-TV monitors. To view 3D-content you need special glasses, moreover, they should be synchronized directly to the viewing device.
Synchronization is usually carried out through the IR sensor located between the glasses, because, as you know, if you close it with your finger (many were doing this trick in 3D-cinemas), three-dimensional image is lost. Special glasses (or rather glass in them) close to each eye the image that it should not see – so simply and elegantly the problem of creating a three-dimensional image was solved.
But how to be without flaws? Nothing in the world is perfect, and 3D-technology is not an exception. Here’s a list of major drawbacks:
Glasses strongly enough darken the image;
When viewing 3D-content eyes ache;
The volume effect is well felt only in specially prepared videos, often seen 3D-image is not impressive;
To view 3D-content you need special screen (and sometimes even glasses);
And to print 3D-photography, alas, will not succeed. So far…