Explanation of 3-DVG effect

[P3D <KenDunkley@xxxxxxx>]

At 12:41 -0500 4/10/97, JIM CROWELL wrote:
>At 4:51 PM -0800 4/9/97 PD3 3-D STUFF wrote:
>>I was at the convention in Atlanta, and was impressed with the=20
>>3-DVG, I still check certain images on the net and in magazines=20
>>using my fingers to provide the similar effect to Ken's glasses.
>> I learned the finger method from his great article in SW.

>Though you=92ll note that the "great article" omitted any description of=
 the
principles involved=85

Jim is correct, I found I could not, in the space allotted to me in the
Stereo World article, include a description of how the 3-DVG worked.
 However, I did reference the SPIE paper that  attempted to take a stab a=
t
it.  That reference is repeated  at the end of this document.

In leaving out this information I felt that it was more important for the
reader to "experience" the 3-DVG effect first.  The reason for this is th=
at
basically everything about the 3-DVG  falls into the category of sounding
incredible.   The majority of persons who see it say that "had they not s=
een
it they would not have believed it." Professor Bela Julesz saw it in 1989=
 and
named it "the Dunkley effect."  =20

After five years, I still teach the 3-DVG Workshop at the Museum of
Scientific Discovery in Harrisburg where I get the greatest thrill in sho=
wing
people how to transform pictures from National Geographic magazine into
 "what appears to be" perfect three dimensional stereoscopic images  usin=
g
their fingers.  The  results are mesmerizing.  The next workshop is sched=
uled
at 1:45 PM on Saturday, June 28, 1997.

Jim, what I would like to say to you and other group members  is that the
visual results of the 3-DVG process cannot readily be anticipated or
logically derived.  Before you actually see it, it is virtually impossibl=
e to
imagine what it will look like.  After experiencing the effect you will
understand why I say this and also why   the effect  has remained
undiscovered for so long.  Persons who detect the effect become privy to =
a
visual phenomenon  with profound implications for visual science research=
ers
and pictorial enthusiasts alike. =20
=20
Jim, I am looking forward to talking to you after you=92ve tried your han=
d at
the 3-DVG.   Please e-mail me a mailing address so I can send you a devic=
e.
 Once you have detected the effect I can show you how to improve it  a
conservative factor  of two.   You will soon learn that the process is
interactive (i.e. you are part of a optical feed back loop) and also adap=
tive
in nature.  Brief exposure to the device can lead to a heightened sense o=
f
depth perception when viewing  subsequent pictures long after you  use th=
e
invention.=20

HOW DOES IT WORK.  U. S. Patent literature contains well over 150 patente=
d
inventions that claim to give a 2-D image a 3-D enhancement.  The majorit=
y of
these patents are based on the teachings enunciated in the Adelbert Ames,=
 Jr.
patents  2,542,789 and 1,636,450.   Ames argued that simple reflecting an=
d
refracting optical elements could be used to generate definite and true d=
epth
discrimination (i.e., 3-D) from 2-D images by altering the interoptic ang=
le.
 =20

What I have found, by accident, is that the Ames effect, i.e., the genera=
tion
 of 3-D from 2-D by alteration of the interoptic angle can be obtained
without refracting elements by simply positioning the edge of  a pinhole =
or
other opaque object.=20

Also,  the pinhole effect (includes: monocular depth sensation, increased
depth of focus, lowered veiling glare, etc.), the oldest of the 2-D to 3-=
D
effects, allows the visual addition of the Ames effect to the effect call=
ed
illocal framing.  This happens because the frames are situated within the
depth of focus range determined by the pinhole diameter.   Illocal framin=
g
patented by Abrahamson (U.S. Patent 3,460,882) is visible framing situate=
d in
a plane substantially removed from that of the observed picture itself an=
d
near the observer.  Illocal framing dramatically improves pictorial depth
effects and makes objects in a picture appear life-size.

Thus, the 3-DVG is a device that allows the integration of four previousl=
y
known but heretofore unrelated 2-D to 3-D effects.  The fourth effect is
pinhole generated chromostereopsis which is intimately related to the Ame=
s
effect and is, in fact, identical to it depending on the nature of the
observed target under observation.   Though both processes appear to be
governed by the wavelength (chromatic) dispersion of off axial rays
traversing the eye, the Ames phenomenon  appears to be additionally gover=
ned
by objective visual information (i.e., perspective, shading, aerial
perspective, and know relationships) distributed over the region under
observation.  This objective picture information will in most instances
override depth information provided by the chromostereoscopic examination=
 of
small uniform colored targets.

Both pinhole chromostereopsis and the Ames effect may be studied in the
mutual presence of the other by placing small color targets in the middle=
 of
a picture undergoing observation with the 3-DVG device. Only when the
interoptic angle change is large will chromostereoscopic effects assert t=
heir
presence in scenes dominated by the Ames effect.  In these instances, str=
ong
colors, i.e., reds and blues, will detach themselves from objects making =
up a
scene.    Notice also that stereopsis generated by the Ames effect can be
observed (though much reduced) when viewing b&w and monochrome photos. =20

The advanced 3-DVG (see diagram in the Nov/Dec 1994  SW article) barely
qualifies to be called an optical device and consists of not much more th=
an
an entrance aperture for light to enter followed, six inches away, by a
variable exit aperture.  There are no mirrors, lenses, prisms or optics o=
f
any kind involved.  For optimum results, pictures should be illuminated w=
ith
a lamp containing a 100 to 150 Watt light bulb or 50 watt halogen. =20

The observed 3-D effect is caused by the alignment of this simple system
relative to the eyes.  There are three basic adjustments for alignment, t=
hat
is, one adjustment for each independent 2-D to 3-D effect.  The 2-D to 3-=
D
Ames effect is controlled by altering the interoptic angle (i.e., by chan=
ging
the interpupillary distance between the pinholes).   When you are instruc=
ted
to separate the pinhole images apart in the Nov/Dec 1994  SW article ( se=
e
fig. 8 and 9 on page 33  ) you are actually  increasing the Ames effect.

The 2-D to 3-D pinhole effect (includes: monocular depth sensation, incre=
ased
depth of focus, lowered veiling glare, etc.)  is controlled by the adjust=
ing
the pinhole diameter.    The 2-D to 3-D effect called illocal framing is
engaged by mimimizing the pinhole diameter  and  by making the focused fr=
ames
overlap.   The 3-DVG device adds these three independent effects in a tot=
ally
seamless fashion, and produces for the viewer a true illusion of visual d=
epth
and a clarity of vision never before experienced.  A properly focused 3-D=
VG
advanced unit will often give the viewer the momentary but distinct
impression that they are watching the actual scene. =20

The above explanation leaves out a drawing of the 3-DVG; please see the S=
W
article for this.  That article also contains a description of the 3-DVG
visual process and how you are to actually move the pinholes in order to
generate the effect.   This is very important and actually forms the basi=
s of
the 3-DVG patent.  I realize the above explanations need further developm=
ent
and I will do so in the coming weeks as requested.   =20

 I will repeat the offer made earlier of a free demo training unit for gr=
oup
member to try out and comment on.   Send me an e-mail with a mailing addr=
ess.

I will be glad to provide more information and further clarification upon
request. =20

NOTES:  The interoptic angle is the angle defined by the two optical axes=
 of
the 3-DVG and the point of fixation.  =20

REFERENCES:
1.  Alexis L.  Davis, "Invention adds new dimension to color images," The
Philadelphia Tribune, July 13, 1990, p. 10-D;
2.  "Optonet: Industry briefs,"  SPIE  OE Reports, January 1992,  p. 5;
3.  John Dennis, "Bending Colors," Stereo World, Vol. 20, No.1, March/Apr=
il
1993, pp.34-  36;
4.  K. J. Dunkley, "A new 3-D from 2-D visual display process," SPIE Vol.
1915; Stereoscopic Displays and Applications IV(1993), pp. 132 - 140;
5.  Kenneth J. Dunkley, "The 3-DVG Workshop: How to use your fingers to t=
urn
any color magazine picture into 3-D,"   Stereo World, Nov/Dec 1994, pp.
30-33.

Ken Dunkley =20
5204 Overbrook Ave.
Philadelphia, PA
Tel: 215-477-6106
Fax: 215-871-0837
kendunkley@xxxxxxx


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