Re: That "3-D" Thing Again :^|

[michaelk@xxxxxxxxxxx (Michael Kersenbrock)]

> Continuing with Glenn's comments: "Indeed  the new computer 3D rage  may
> develop a  bigger following than all of 3D film based technologies."
> Please let us not let it be so.  This would be a sad (temporary, oft'
> repeated) ending for stereoscopic imaging.  Scanning the technical and sales
> literature of the day (I am in electrical engineering by trade) makes one
> want to banish "3-D" from the language until the computer/electronic masses
> can learn to use the term with more discretion.  I feel a modern sort, but I
> would ^never^ try to inspire our next generation of scientist by showing them
> flat, nicely shaded, 2-D computer graphics masquerading as "3-D."  Take a

Although I do agree with the sentiments being spoken, I think it's also important
to point out that that the computer "3D" craze, despite it's twisting of the term
"3D", will in the long term will be "our salvation".

It doesn't take a business whiz to see that once "3D" (shown in 2D representations)
becomes wildly popular and widely used in the consumer markets, that the next 
step will be development of 3-D display technology in the consumer market as well,
and when that takes off quality will continually rise and prices drop.  Things
need to change one step at a time.  The computer models change first (now).  The
technology for displays then changes one step at a time (just starting). Evolution 
is the rule in the computer 'PC' business, revolutions have all failed (thus far).
Be patient.

What many of us wish for, is to have big consumer market companies invest money
and time into developing 3-D technology for the consumer market (us).  The
occasional proposals as to what they *should* do proves this.  The 
hyper-ventilation that occured with the Nikon 3-D stereo camera rumor last
April (or the April before) also shows this desire (April 1 is coming up
again soon... beware :-).

The thing *needed* to make this happen (during months other than April) is
a large market, the bigger the better.  The 3D craze in the computer world
is generating this market.  Enjoy it.  Embrace it.  It's our hope for salvation.

Mike K.


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