P3D Normal interocular spacing?

["Dr. George A. Themelis" <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Good arguments from both sides...  Greg Wageman with 70 mm interocular
is questioning whether the 65 mm average still holds today and if
humans tend to shift towards wider spacings with time.  

For me, 65 mm sounds above average.  I wonder if data from women were
used equally, as those for men.  Also, I am sure this is for adult
populations.  How about children?  Sure, they won't take their own
stereo pictures but are subjected to the ones we show them.  How
about races?  Seems that the Japanese have smaller average interocular.
Fuji in Japan supplies stereo mounts that have a non-conventional spacing
(62 mm, I think).

In any case, I have been blessed with a 65 mm interocular, which makes 
it perfect for stereo as it was designed 50 years ago.  For example,
I can see the 8p area in a red button viewer (that is, slides mounted
in RBT 33 mm wide mounts).  Other users with wider and narrower
interoculars have reported problems at even seeing 7p in this viewer.
More severe problems are reported with View Master.  Quite a few 
people with narrow interoculars cannot use the regular VM viewers.

If I had to design a system today I would go for less than 65 mm.
Maybe 60mm to 62 mm.  I feel this is "being concervative" and it is 
one of these cases that less is better.

George Themelis



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