Using stereoscopic imaging for visualization applications

Stephen J. Adelson

doi:10.1117/12.172059

4 April 1994 Using stereoscopic imaging for visualization applications

Stephen J. Adelson

Proceedings Volume 2178, Visual Data Exploration and Analysis; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.172059
Event: IS&T/SPIE 1994 International Symposium on Electronic Imaging: Science and Technology, 1994, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

The purpose of scientific visualization is to simplify the analysis of numerical data by rendering the information as an image. Even when the image is familiar, as in the case of terrain data, preconceptions about what the image should look like and deceptive image artifacts can create misconceptions about what information is actually contained in the scene. One way of aiding the development of unambiguous visualizations is to add stereoscopic depth to the image. Despite the recent proliferation of affordable stereoscopic viewing equipment, few researchers are at this time taking advantage of stereo in their visualizations. It is generally perceived that the rendering time will have to be doubled in order to generate the pair, and so stereoscopic viewing is sacrificed in the name of expedient rendering. We show that this perception is often invalid. The second half of a stereoscopic image can be generated from the first half for a fraction of the computational cost of complete rendering, usually no more than 50 percent of the cost and in many cases as little as 5 percent. Using the techniques presented here, the benefits of stereoscopy can be added to existing visualization systems for only a small cost over current single-frame rendering methods.

Citation Download Citation

Stephen J. Adelson "Using stereoscopic imaging for visualization applications", Proc. SPIE 2178, Visual Data Exploration and Analysis, (4 April 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.172059

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