Re: Montages in 3d

[P3D Larry Berlin <lberlin@xxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Mon, 15 Sep 1997
>From: P3D  Dr. George A. Themelis writes:
>
>>>why don't you tell us (in as few words as possible) 
>>>what exactly is it that you specialize in.
>>    
>>****  Few words? Then here it is, stereoscopic 3D.
>
>Stereoscopic three-dimensional WHAT?  Images, textures, puzzles, 
>photographs, drawings, cameras, all of the above?
>
>OK, not so few words... Say a paragraph or two.  You mentioned that 
>you specialize in 3D Textures.  What is this? I have visited your 
>page, some time ago, but did not understand what that means.  Perhaps 
>you can describe it for the benefit of those who have email but cannot
>access the web.  You are a regular contributor in photo-3d and I am 
>sure many subscribers would like to know a bit more about your 
>stereoscopic (3D) work.

*****  Ok, I was a bit busy when you posted your request and it was so easy
and fun to sum it up in two words!

For those of you who are new to the list and/or just have an interest ...

Background:  I'm among those whose first stereo experiences were with the
Viewmaster. I don't remember how old I was at the time, but it was while
quite young and I remember enjoying it a lot. I remember puzzling over how
it worked. Then life kind of swept me away to other activities and
directions as it has a way of doing.

Many years later, by around '91, I came across stereograms. At first I
ignored the funny pattern but later read what was being said about it and
sure enough, a few seconds later a lizard emerged from the dots. Wow! A
short time later I was making copies of the image and coloring in the dots
to track just what was going on. It quickly became clear just how parallax
was being used with the repeating patterns. This was the rosetta stone of
all stereoscopy for me. The whole thing became crystal clear from that moment.

I began drawing small stereo drawings and stereograms by hand and soon ended
up with the cluster of grapes that's on my website. After creating the basic
image my Mom got involved by coloring the image with colored pencil. She was
quite thrilled since she had been interested in stereo since she was young.
She remembers fusing tile work to see new dimensions in kitchens and
bathrooms since a very early age.

Several years later I was able to get a computer to begin exploring
stereograms with better tools. Unfortunately about then the stereogram
market dried up. I kept on the learning curve though. It's a case of knowing
stereoscopy first and seeking specific ways to apply the new computer tools
to what I knew of the image space. The technology turned out to be
significantly lacking in so many ways. Since I knew how to draw them by
hand, getting the computer tools to do things their authors had no idea
about wasn't too difficult, just a matter of knowing what to look for. Most
significant was obtaining PhotoStyler 2.0 SE for about $10. It's the best
software investment I've ever made. I didn't know it at the time.

The interest in stereograms developed into creating stereo patterns and
making them work as repeated patterns. Most stereograms placed next to each
other end up with basically nothing. I figured out how to get them
interacting with themselves as an intentional technique instead of an
accidental thing. I had ideas about putting stereograms inside other
stereograms and was curious how deep one could go with it. I ended up
creating the infinite stereogram which continues interacting with itself as
far as you can maneuver your eyes within the image, both parallel and crossed.

Some time later I decided it was time to figure out the internet. I made a
few patterns for my own web page use and soon discovered that no one on the
internet had repeating 3D patterns, so that became my startup direction.
Shortly after that I discovered Photo3D and it felt like coming home. Thanks
to all here, old or new for a wonderful continuing education and an
environment in which to freely discuss all the intricate fascinating details
and features of what I consider to be the ultimate medium for expression.
I'm still surprised and shocked it's so poorly understood on the part of
commercial entities, despite it's basic qualities being well known since
before I was born. It's like a lost universe and a few of us seem to have it
to ourselves, though no one owns it in any particular sense. It's the
heritage of all with binocular stereoscopic vision.

Now I specialize in those repeatable 3d patterns and textures. I make larger
textures and I explore stereo photography plugged into some of the best of
current computerized stereo tools, which still aren't up to what I consider
to be basic stereo standards. The industry quits before they reach what
should have been their basic goals, perhaps out of ignorance to just what
should be their goals. Fortunately some don't stop there and when several
quit or get lost in other directions, many other talented and smart people
continue doing their bit in various places around the world. Eventually,
despite setbacks I see 3D emerging into a better place than it's ever been
so far.

My direction seems to be educational because that is highly needful,
exploratory because of an expanding helter-skelter technology, and cutting
edge development because someone with 3D vision needs to be interested in
that sort of thing. I have always been interested in sciences like physics
and biology. My mind works like an inventors mind. If something doesn't work
I seek to understand why and find solutions.

I now do more with a pretty ordinary but good computer running Win95 than
anyone would have thought possible for stereo image work. Especially
considering the older status of some of the software. It takes knowing what
you want to get and not accepting limits that only exist because whoever
wrote the software didn't know enough to include something unique. The
benefit of certain older software is that despite the writers not knowing my
specific needs, they understood certain basics and made what they wrote
operate in comprehensive ways so that I can now adapt their functions to
specific needs as I see them. Newer software usually does NOT have such
comprehensive operation and it seems trending in worse directions. That is
not good overall for technology, not because my needs aren't being met, but
precisely because thousands of other specific and unique needs won't be met
either. I approach the whole thing quite philosophically with a deep
understanding of technology itself and it's relationship to all humanity.

The blessing is that today's environment holds so much promise for anyone
who can look beyond petty limits and see that real limits are somewhere
else. I don't mind real limits, they provide structure and challenge. The
artificial ones deserve full levels of criticism. I've met many people who
just like me see through the artificial limits and move towards better
things tomorrow. Dreaming? Yes in a way, but I've proven most of my dreams
at least to myself and the newer pieces in the technological puzzle offer
wonders for tomorrow's 3D that are only hinted at here on P3D. Now to put
the pieces together and realize some of those wonders during this lifetime
rather than being content with waiting for 4 generations from now. I know
I'm not the only one with such an interest.

The truth is that I love lots of the new stuff that's talked about and is
still being developed. Yet, the tools we hold in our hands today are so
underdeveloped it's almost a crime. We throw away gold because we fail to
wash the dirt off what we don't recognize. 3D inspires me because I see it
in 3D. Comprehension itself is a stereoscopic function in the mind, or maybe
holographic is a better description. The ability to fully explore stereo 3D
is here now, I have it now in a rich fullness typically not found in the
commercial environment, and sharing it with others is a pleasure, though not
always as easy as I could hope for. That most people don't even know it's
here is still a surprise for me.

When I talk to people I find that many have a strong underlying interest in
3D, just like that which drives me. They think and dream about it, when it
happens to come up for them. 3D is part of our cultural heritage in books
and movies and memorabilia, especially science fiction. Computer companies
make millions claiming 3D when they are mostly faking it. As a nation we are
accustomed to being faked out and consider that to be a prime apsect of what
is called *commercialism*, but we hold on to hope for the real thing
tomorrow. As beings with binocular vision, we are ready to accept and
embrace the real thing today if it can be brought to us in ways that we find
easy and attractive. I know that tomorrow's tools may be better than we have
now, but I also know how much better today's tools could be without waiting
for the *better mouse trap*. Why wait? Why be satisfied with a picture of a
gourmet meal when you can go out and eat it now!

So whether it's cameras or images, digital or film, technology or
psychology, I specialize in stereoscopy. It's a mind opening experience
that's very real. It's equally accessible to most others and that's a good
thing. I'm working on making it more accessible, whatever that takes.


>................
>Perhaps we can write an article together on 3-d montages. I will 
>cover the "analog" procedures (multiple exposures, "sandwiches", etc.)
>and you can cover the digital procedures.

*****  Sounds good. Let's discuss this off list...

>
>I tired to access the following site but was not loading.  Do you have
>examples of your stereo images there?
>
>http://3dzine.simplenet.com/

*****  Actually both sites are very intertwined. Most images for either site
are on the site you mention because there are NO bandwidth limits!!! (images
add up to bandwidth!) The main site has basic HTML pages and a few small
graphics but most references to my graphics will transfer you to the
Simplenet site automatically. It keeps the cost way down. Anyone worried
about bandwidth should consider it as a viable option. At $10/month it's
hard to beat. They do not offer dial-up service so I need my regular account
in order to have access to the other site and the web, that's why I have two
accounts.

I suggest trying again as sometimes there can be a problem, but whenever I
check, it seems to be working.

Larry Berlin

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


------------------------------

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