Re:THE FREEVIEWER'S ASSISTANT - Part III

[P3D Larry Berlin <lberlin@xxxxxxxxx>]

>Dr. T comments:
>I know, Larry will ask "What is the big deal... I can cross view, 
>no problem!"  Yes, but can you stay crossed while you scroll the 
>screen to move from one image to the other???  Maybe Larry can do it, 
>but it is a fact (or opinion??? :)) that while you are freeviewing, 
>any small distraction will "break" your viewing.  Cross-viewing is 
>worse and scrolling the screen is a major distraction, especially 
>if you want to watch the mouse pointer too!!!!  "Assistant" to the 
>rescue!!!  No need to break your viewing.  It is effortless and it 
>is constant.
>...............................

*****  Actually I'm fascinated by your review. I like viewing devices and
have made my own using front surfaced mirrors. It's not done in mahogany
though and it's much bigger.

My surprise is that you aren't mentioning anything about the apparent size
difference caused by the additional image path through the mirrors. I
suppose it's because it's much smaller than the mirror device I have. I
experimented with such things as you are mentioning while I built mine and
the *image size* thing prompted me to want a set of mirrors for each eye. It
kept the view for each eye on the same scale.

I ended up with movable mirrors that adjust from parallel to crossed, both
to extreme. It's hardly a pocket device though... 

Alan's work sounds truly excellent. I hate to even think about the price.
Sounds like a great gift investment.

I understand the frustration with freeviewing (I was there) but have become
very proficient to the degree that I have spent many many consecutive hours
doing fairly steady crossed viewing. (17 inch screen filled with a stereo
pair) I look at the work normally and then go crosseyed for all actual
movement of whatever I'm working on. I maintain eye balance by doing
parallel viewing. I rest if my eyes feel tired. It's not constant nor would
I recommend a constant viewing situation without an assistant!

Yes, I am able to freeview and scroll the screen. I've been doing that for a
long time. It's really easy but it's just as easy to rest the eyes and cross
them again for the next image. Movement and changes don't affect crossed any
more than parallel. It's all in what you are most used to and familiar with.
I have gotten to the point that it's about as simple to integrate normal and
stereo viewing within the same visual space as if the images were real
objects located in the places I view to see them. I travel easily through
and to wherever desired. Of note is that I don't think I'm exceptionally
unique. Anyone able to freeview can become *that* familiar with their visual
faculties. Have you freeviewed the wallpaper in a projected antique stereo
image?

Speaking of mouse pointers, I've learned to tell which eye is currently
watching the pointer (more like, which pointer is the real pointer!) so I
can select appropriate areas, and move items in the desired direction. I put
up with all kinds of distraction while viewing, color differences,
misalignment, extreme depth, non-stereo slider controls, selection marquees,
etc. 

Ultimately I still prefer the unaided eyes simply because there is no device
between me and the image. I do use viewers, I recommend them and I encourage
folk to gain their freedom of choice and not have to use them except by
choice. Alan's sounds like the one to have around too...anything to make it
easier is worth it. 

Larry Berlin

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


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