1+1=4D: Set Up an Animated Stereoscopic 3D Viewer in Poser

For the purposes of this demonstration, I'll be describing a method that produces a 400 pixel wide viewing area comprised of two 200-pixel wide views, side by side. 200 pixels is within acceptable parameters for the average human eye (about 2.5 inches) and should be something most people can adapt themselves to, if sufficiently motivated.

A new point of view

As you have most likely customized your settings to you liking, it's time to ditch all that and start fresh.

Delete any models, resize the ground to default settings for scale continuity and set the background color to black, or any suitably dark hue.

Then go to the menu: Window>Document Window Size…

A new point of view (cont.)

Set Width to 400 and height to 480. If you select Lock window, the window can still be moved within the Poser environment but not resized. If you select Constrain aspect ratio, you'll be able to resize the window. This allows you to scale the window down, to relieve eyestrain, for example, while maintaining the relative framing of your animation. But don't do that yet. Just be aware that you can adjust the viewing window without changing your movie settings.

OK

A new point of view (cont.)

Decide at this time if you want to display camera names in their panes while you work. You may want to, initially, as you become more oriented to the motion of 'flying' stereo cameras. Once you 'get your wings', you'll certainly find all non-image information a distraction and long to be free of it. There are ways and there are others ways but they are all still very far away.

Getting the 1st 1 right

On the left side of the window (in version 5 and at the bottom in version 6) are the Window Pane Presets that allow for various multi-angle views of the Poser world. 2nd from the bottom is the vertical splits screen. Select it.

Select the right pane with a single click of your mouse.

Getting the 1st 1 right (cont.)

Go to the menu and select the Main Camera: Display | Camera View | Main Camera (Ctrl+M).

Getting the 1st 1 right (cont.)

Reproduce these settings:

This is the baseline from which all changes will be made.

Focal set to 55mm is a recommendation to get started but this is a variable that is worth investigating. Do not forget to match the Focal settings in the left view!

Getting the 2nd 1 Left

Select the left pane with a single left click of your mouse.

Getting the 2nd 1 Left (cont.)

Go to the menu and select the Aux Camera: Display | Camera View | Aux Camera.

Getting the 2nd 1 Left (cont.)

Reproduce these settings:

All Orbits: 00

Getting the 2nd 1 Left (cont.)

In order to appreciate the stereoscopic view once it has been finally set up, there must be something on view to appreciate. I suggest you start simply and develop your static spatial senses before you start moving the cameras and going nuts flying around animated worlds. Or not. Personally, I wasn't able to restrain myself once I got going.

I'm using a simple model for these illustrations. As a stereo view, this should look flat because both cameras are in the same location.

1+1=3D

In case you've been busy with extra-curricular activities, select the left pane again.

Select the Aux Camera from the menu.

Change the DollyX setting to something between -0.010 and -0.040. This moves the Aux Camera to the left and produces a left eye view in the left pane to compliment the right eye view of the Main Camera in the right pane. I've been told that the setting of -0.012 approximates the distance between adult human eyes in the Poser world.

If you want to see the world at the same scale as your figure, measure the distance between the eyes of the figure using a third camera centered on one eye and move it whatever distance to the center of the other eye. Note the distance and use that to seperate your two views.

A larger negative number will exaggerate the apparent distance between views creating the effect of miniaturizing the world. Imagine being a giant in the world whose eyes would naturally be further apart and you may understand the effect without seeing it, though by all means, see it for yourself.

Under no circumstances change the values of DollyY, which would have the effect of off-setting one view above or below the other, or DollyZ, which would have the effect of off-setting one view in front or behind the other. Any of that will impair the illusion.

Lock The Views Together

The final step is parenting the Aux Camera to the Main Camera so you can drag the Aux Camera as you navigate with the Main Camera.

With the Aux Camera still selected, go to the Object Menu> Change Parent

Select Main Camera and OK.

In this shot, I have repositioned the Main Camera to get a better view of the figure. Viewed in parallel, the figure should be fully stereoscopic and appear to extend in front of the screen.

Though the two views are some distance apart on the X-axis, they both point in parallel which is not the way your eyes behave, as they would normally converge on an actual object you were looking at.

The fix is to slightly rotate the Aux Camera yOrbit to a negative number; -2 for an example. This has the effect of turning the left view towards the object. Use the framing of the object in the Main Camera right pane to frame the object in the Aux Camera left pane and the figure will receed in the view.

Welcome to real 3D.

It should go without saying, but here I go, the camera can move during your animation and that means 1+1+1=4D!

Please let me know via Renderosity once you begin to get results. I would appreciate seeing what this has inspired others to try.

Peace,
-EyeSoare