The All 3D-Stereo Thread

[Benni Diez]

So, as suggested by Eric, this is the place to discuss everything related to 3D stereoscopic production and technology. Or let's just call it 3dS. :matrix:

Here's a nice page for starters:
http://marketsaw.blogspot.com/
Daily updates on what's new in the stereo world. Also a list of current 3dS films in production, as well as a list of 3dS capable theaters.

And two interesting white papers on the matter:
http://area.autodesk.com/images/tips...whitepaper.pdf ...about 3dS basics and
http://www.fxguide.com/qt/wp-content...whitepaper.pdf ...with info on The Foundry's new Ocula plugins for Nuke.

And before we endulge in a pro and con discussion: Yes, story comes first! You can't pimp a bad script with in-yer-face 3D-effects and expect it to become a masterpiece. We all hopefully learned that from the last few years of CG-abuse.
But on the other hand: The visonary filmmakers that used groundbreaking technologies IN FAVOR of a good story came up with some pretty amazing flicks and really made a change in the industry. Think Cameron, Spielberg, Lucas. Ok, some of them have lost their Mojo somewhere on the way. But they proved more than once that inventive technology combined with great storytelling can create a whole new experience. That's what movie magic is about.


Soooo...
That said, let's get into the geek zone: I'd really love to get my hands dirty with 3dS content creation. But it will be a while until I can afford 2 Reds and a professional 3dS rig.
So my question is: Does anyone know an affordable camera module (SD will be enough for starters) with enough control so that I can synchronize two of them (capture, exposure, shutter)? And also an affordable capture solution (hardware, software)?
I'm planning to build a small beginner's rig just to get my hands and brains around all the basics of 3dS.

[number6]

Good idea for a thread.

[Roberto B]

stick it..

[Dan Hudgins]

So my question is: Does anyone know an affordable camera module (SD will be enough for starters) with enough control so that I can synchronize two of them (capture, exposure, shutter)? And also an affordable capture solution (hardware, software)?
I'm planning to build a small beginner's rig just to get my hands and brains around all the basics of 3dS.

For SD you can get two CCD CCTV cameras that have external sync inputs, use a external sync generator, set them to manual exposure + external sync + AGC off, adjust the exposure using C mount machine vision lenses with an iris, and record on two computers with video digitizer boards to uncompressed AVI (rather than MPEG2?). You could get close to DVD resolution maybe?

Just slate and you have two stereo sets of frames with Vsync. Maybe the cost would be under $1000 not counting the two computers?

I did some tests recording to the internal Digital tape in a camcorder and direct to the video input on a digitizer board on a computer, and going direct into the computer is much better than taping in the camera, at least with the stuff I was testing...

[Joseph Ward]

When is Ocula coming out?

[number6]

So, if I'm shooting two duplicate locked off cameras, probably with lots of DOF, side-by-sideish (both centered on the central subject by initially focusing on a laser dot?) do I simply overlay the two images in post at 50% opacity? Or do I cut each image in half (or at the center of interest) on the same vertical plane and place them side by side? Or do I do an overlay of the center third and do the 50% opacity and leave the side panels original and at 100% opacity? Or, none of the above but something else.

Does this even qualify as 3-D?

As you may guess, 3-D is not something I'm that familiar with.:unsure:

[number6]

stick it..

Second that.

[Benni Diez]

So, if I'm shooting two duplicate locked off cameras, probably with lots of DOF, side-by-sideish (both centered on the central subject by initially focusing on a laser dot?) do I simply overlay the two images in post at 50% opacity? Or do I cut each image in half (or at the center of interest) on the same vertical plane and place them side by side? Or do I do an overlay of the center third and do the 50% opacity and leave the side panels original and at 100% opacity? Or, none of the above but something else.

Does this even qualify as 3-D?

As you may guess, 3-D is not something I'm that familiar with.:unsure:

None of those I'm afraid. :)

You have to treat both images separately throughout post production.
Each of those images is supposed to be seen by one eye only! Left camera -> left eye, richt camera -> right eye.
There are several methods how to achieve that:

-Polarization filters. Only possible if images are projected (rear or front projection). You need to wear polarized glasses to watch. The Imax 3D way.
-Anaglyph. The two images are overlayed into one. But they are tinted separately, mostly red and cyan. You need to wear red-cyan glasses to watch.
-two separate small monitors, each for one eye. Like those fancy cyberspace helmets.
-Shutter glasses. Only works with flickering monitors. Glasses with lcd shutters are synced to a monitor which shows both images alternating.
-Monitor with lamella coating. Each 2nd vertical pixel row is directed a few degrees off via the prism coating. Problematic because it heavily depends on interocular and viewing distance.

There are some others, but those are the main ones in use.

See also:
http://www.stereo3d.com/projection.htm
http://www.visionaryforces.com/downl...Projection.pdf

[number6]

So, if I understand correctly, there is no way currently to PRODUCE 3-D without some external viewing trick to experience it?

[Alex Carr]

I watched Max Penner have two customized inputs into a Red LCD and I would wear 3-D glasses which were hanging on the camera. He has quite an elaborate setup, with the cameras on Preston Motor Controls to keep the cameras aligned.

check out Paradisefx.com