Re: What can you do in 2d that cannot do in 3d

[P3D Larry Berlin <lberlin@xxxxxxxxx>]

>Date:          Mon, 15 Sep 1997
>From: P3D  KENNETH LUKER writes:
>
>I may have found an example of what can be done in 2d and not in 3d.
>Remember the M. C. Escher graphics that include an impossibly-shaped
>connection of three rectangular-cross-sectioned bars?  An extension
>of the principle is used to make the Escher cube--an impossible
>open-box made of plane-faced struts.  The faces of the sides of the
>bars are arranged in a way that is impossible in real space. 
>..................
>I believe one cannot, in principle, make a convincing 3d photograph of
>the Escher fixture.
>

Thanks for the reminder about Escher. I wonder what he would cook up if he
had a stereo 3D computer system to work on! What a thought. His wonders came
from an enquiring mind that saw things and places and relationships that
most of us miss. I think it is possible to maintain the same illusion that
he creates though in the process one might not be able to translate the
actual structures of his illusions. The partially explored reasoning goes
along the lines of a circle of attention. If you can successfully extend the
lines of one part of the image beyond an immediate circle of attention, then
you could create two or more areas that obviously don't connect with each
other, but with lines that do connect providing a pathway for the eyes and
an interpretive trick to the mind.

In fact I have a 3d photo of exactly that sort of thing. It was accidental
but has the illusion factor going for it. It's of a playground device with
ladder like rungs on an overhead structure. Due to the spacing of the rungs,
when you look at the image it's easy to see the ladder-rungs as existing in
a space enormously beyond the jungle gym itself. When you take other
reference points into consideration, it *jumps* back into place as part of
the closer structure. It's been awhile since I took that image so I have to
look for it and once found I'll post it on my website and announce it to the
group. It's not as fancy as Escher's work but approaches providing a similar
illusion of spatial interpretation.

Larry Berlin

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


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