Re: The Latest Offense

[P3D Larry Berlin <lberlin@xxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Fri, 18 Apr 1997 
>From: P3D Joel Alpers  writes:
>
>We've talked before about the overuse and misuse of the term
>"3D" rampant today, but I thought I'd share the latest one I
>saw:
>
>On the box for a PC sound board (i.e. like a SoundBlaster):
>
>                    "3D Stereo Sound!"
>
>I wish I was making this up...
>

This isn't an offense in the usage of 3D. We have two ears with which to
determine the precise location of sounds. This has long been considered to
be 3D stereo. If their sound card can realistically place the reproduced
sounds in a 3D environment around the listener, they haven't mis-used or
mis-applied the term.

The same can NOT be said for many typical 3D ads where at best they are
referring to 2.5D visuals. That's a form of realism available in any single
2D snapshot (perspective and shadows), which the same persons absolutely
wouldn't dream of calling 3D.....

The so-called *3D accelerator boards* for computers are half right. Most
don't offer stereoscopic features, but they do operate in a fully 3D
environment and allow realistic rendering in that environment.
Unfortunately, most don't provide a 3D view of the space in which they
actually work.

The Total3D board is an exception and includes LCS goggles. It provides
graphics acceleration and a stereoscopic view. Now that I have it I won't be
without it! In the near future, look for other accelerator boards to at a
minimum be supportive of stereo viewing equipment. This wouldn't be possible
without the work done over the last few years which has been the source of
most 3D terminology abuse. I'm glad they did the work even if it's results
are frequently mislabeled.

Larry Berlin

Email: lberlin@xxxxxxxxx
http://www.sonic.net/~lberlin/
http://3dzine.simplenet.com/


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