[photo-3d] Re: Kaleidoscopic 3-D

[Bruce Springsteen <bsspringsteen@xxxxxxxxx>]

John Rupkalvis et al propose an on-line discussion of the possibilities in
kaleidoscopic stereoscopy.  I type slowly and have limited time on-line,
so I tend to disgorge great blats of rumination at irregular intervals,
after tortuous thought, rather than a continuous stream of smaller
messages - not the most conducive modus operandi for participation in a
continuing quotidian exchange.  I also vanish at awkward times in the
discussion, due to the exigencies of life on the lower fringes of the
middle class.

But, I do need to clarify my earlier analysis.  Kaleidoscopes may come in
the infinite-field variety I described - three mirrors joined in an
equilateral triangle as the rudimentary case - but actually the more
common form is as John used in his film experiment: two mirrors forming a
"V", usually at a 60 degree angle which generates a finite reflected
figure of six sections with radial symmetry, like a rosette or a
snowflake. (Division of the circle into other than six sections is
possible) The "wall kaleidoscope" idea I mentioned with tapered
(trapezoidal) mirrors is the 3-D form that would correspond to that kind
of kaleidoscope, the "infinity room" more to the former kind.

Clear enough? ;-)

As to the goals of the discussion, I would have a tough time explaining
the details of what I have in mind for my own work - it's really a visual
event.  We always run into that here, using a one-dimensional medium to
describe two-dimensional ways of creating illusory three-dimensional
spaces.  No wonder we get confused.

And of course the few good ideas I have I probably want to keep to myself
until they are real - don't want to kill the thrill of seeing it fresh. 
On the other hand, these ideas may not pan out, in which case George's
inflated estimate of my insights will only make the fall seem more
precipitous.  Oh, the curse of being born an inferior-grade genius!

I am intrigued by John's observation that computer generated
stereo-kaleidoscopic images may prove the most flexible and satisfying way
to explore possibilities, and may be the only way to realize certain
effects.  Java applets of rotating hyperspace figures already have
something of a 3-D kaleidoscopic quality, as you view them in anaglyph and
drag the cursor to make them fold in and out of themselves in 3-space.

Binocular kaleidoscopes are made, but they are just a conventional
kaleidoscope with holes for both eyes, and have no stereo aspect - it's
still a 2-D phenomenon.  Conventional kaleidoscopic presentations to large
groups have been accomplished:  a large silo in the Catskills has been
converted into a giant walk-in scope (The World's Largest, according to
Guinness).  Changing images seen are projected on a screen, at the end of
huge mirrors rising above the semi-reclining audience, with a dramatic
Dolby sound track.  Perhaps something of this type could incorporate
stereo-depth, but not with polarized or anaglyphic projection - the
direction of left/right displacement would be different in every reflected
part of the scene and would cause one heck of a headache.  And even that
assumes that the polarization of the obliquely reflected parts would
survive.

What particular form of stereokaleidoscopy would you guys like to see? 
Then we could discuss how it might be accomplished.  What are you
imagining?

Bruce  

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