Assignment 4

From the readings:

"3D Input and Output" from The Computer in The Visual Arts by Anne Spalter, Addison Wesley Longman Inc. 1999, pp 297-316.

http://archrecord.construction.com/features/digital/archives/0501dignews-1.asp



"3D Input and Output" describes various forms of 3D input and output devices. We are familiar with 2D input devices such as a normal computer mouse, but there are also a number of 3D input devices. One device is a 3D mouse. This mouse doesn’t only slide around on a mouse pad, but it is raised and lowered in 3D space. One disadvantage to this device is that people’s arms can get tired from holding the mouse.

Joysticks and dials are also ordinary 2D devices that are also made for 3D input. One device that is not so ordinary is sensor-filled gloves. The gloves allow for the user to move their hands around in the air and the computer picks up signals from the sensors. A disadvantage to these gloves is that they must be custom fit to the user’s hand.

Head and body tracking is another way to sensor movement and translate it to 3D animation. This is a great invention for animated movies. People can use sensors to track their body movements, and these movements can be applied to the animated characters in the film. This makes it easy to create realistic looking characters that move how real humans would.

3D output is much different than 3D input. The most common of these devices are the standard 3D glasses. One eye is red and the other is blue. The two colors make the eyes pick up slightly different images from the 2D screen. The two images put together make it look 3D. Different images are seen because the screen contains red and blue on the image that is either picked up or hidden when viewed through the glasses.

Other ways to view 3D images is by virtual reality. This is when the viewer feels as though they are actually in the scene on the screen. One version of this is through a helmet with screens. Another way is through a mirror like effect. With this, the viewer’s image is put into the scene, so the viewer seems to be looking at themselves in a mirror with virtual objects. One day, there is hope to have virtual reality in small glasses. However, this technology is yet to be created.

Virtual reality can be helpful in the design industry. When looking at 3D models on the 2D screen, we cannot see the whole picture. This is, we cannot experience being in the space. In the Architectural Record article, “Virtual reality and digital modeling go on trial for a federal courtroom design,” virtual realty is used in the aid of designing a courtroom. Often times, many changes must be made when the design is built, but the virtual reality helped to eliminate many changes. The clients can visualize themselves in the space and can see heights and dimensions of pieces in the space. Then, changes can be made in the early stages of the design. This can save on costs of materials and time of construction. Maybe one day, 3D models and designs will be viewed this way on a regular basis.