P3D Re: Dreams & Reality

[Larry Berlin <lberlin@xxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Thu, 1 Jan 1998 
>From: boris@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Boris Starosta) writes:
>(regarding....), but can't get a MAC computer to run a copy
>>>>of DepthCharge...
>...............
>Okay friends:
>
>As a Mac user, I too would love to try out Depthcharge.  But quite frankly,
>I can't imagine calling for Mac development of Depthcharge, when I don't
>see much use even among the PC crowd.

*****  It's a puzzle like which came first the chicken or the egg... The
benefits are numerous with JPS files. Having JPS files encourages folks to
get a means of seeing them. A big advantage is that if those folk are
intending to use anaglyphic glasses, or any other method, the same image
applies. And you can always view the image as a JPG if you don't have DC.

The number of visitors already having DC from VRex or 3D Pix from NuVision
or 3D Stereo Image Factory from SOFTreat is not a valid method to determine
whether the format is worth using. The value to you and the value to the
visitor is relative to too many other factors currently not fully developed.
The lack of MAC support means that websites can't do what VRex intended at
first. The stated intent was to negate the need for numerous copies of
stereo image files by using one file type for all methods. However, until
the MAC is covered with this type of software, and other computer systems
too, regardless of what percentage of the population uses them, a website
HAS to include specific versions, like anaglyphs or interlaced images along
side the JPS... A greatly diminished reality brought about directly by those
who had the intention of fixing this very thing.

Eventually that can change, and it's to all our benefit to promote the
process. But it will be some time before we can reasonably expect to put
ONLY jps images on a website... Then it *will* save us time and effort for
sure. Right now it's more like the premium method... Which in a sense is OK too.

>...............
>I've been asked to put up .jps files and I can't even find the time right
>now to put up anaglyphs - an easier task for me with a much broader base of
>users who would appreciate it.
>

If you really believe your viewers *prefer* anaglyphic mode, the use of JPS
doesn't stop them. I can't believe from my own experience with them and
comments from others that anaglyphic is anything other than the second most
available method... therefore the second most convenient. If the anaglyphs
are premade and ready to view, why take the time to get a plug-in?... I
think the stats point only to common to-be-expected traffic patterns, not
any real set of preferences. They also indicate that relatively few have LCS
glasses yet, but with prices dropping that is changing. Most people still
don't know that the price is dropping or that such things even exist. Many
won't bother with DC or equivalents until they have an LCS system even
though the plug-ins support all methods.

Once many years ago while traveling in Africa, I got into a situation in
which a bicycle became the most welcome possible sight. Does that mean I
prefer a bicycle over the automobile, not really... We have web visitors who
don't know about this stuff. In the 2D world, all kinds of systems and
plug-ins are touted all over the place, and many of them have a costly
commercial angle. I long ago learned I could spend all my time chasing and
installing every option that comes along. I now ignore most such options
until there is some obvious reason to use them. 

I have both DC and 3D Pix, and I DO use them because I have LCS glasses and
prefer that method of viewing stereo images on the web...  I have plans this
year to make more reasons for others to enjoy that mode too, and JPS is
definitely a part of it. It's especially important for 3D content CDs and
stereo commercial products because it's the most convenient method for
delivering high quality stereo images that work today and are still optimum
five years from now. Interlaced images are on their way out in relative
importance. Now that any good PC computer can run in page flipping mode,
there is little reason to maintain interlaced images. The LCS systems that
have used interlacing can run page flipping too. It's just a matter of
software. Commercial products can include any necessary  plug-ins and other
software! I suspect that HDTV will have a similar effect regarding
interlaced 3D on Video, but not for quite a long time.

As to JPS on the MAC, look for a truly cross platform solution to emerge
from JAVA programming in the near future... There is word of an LCS system
designed for the MAC soon to hit the market too.

Larry Berlin

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


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