To get models created in 3ds Max to export into a format that can be imported into an autostereoscopic 3d (A3d) compositing program, I use an A3D camera plug-in, which you can download from 3D International Europe GmbH, formerly Visumotion.
This special camera is actually 9 cameras side-by-side (you could actually make one if you have max ninja skills). [3D Artist, #19 has an artical on how to create a lenticular 3D camera setup in 3ds max] Each camera sees the frame from a slightly different horizontal perspective - but all focused on the same point.
You can then export the scene by saving it a a TGA image sequence. What you are doing is saving 9 separate images per one frame of video. So, for a video with 30 fames per second (fps), multiplied by 9 full-scale images per frame, you have 270 frames per one second of autostereoscopic video.
When you want to combine the nine separate TGA image-sequences back into a playable format, the next step is to compress all the video streams using H.264 and wrap them in an MP4.
Another Player-like software package will read all nine perspective frames per frame and rasterize them together according to the rule of the lenticular overlay. The image it creates, when seen through the special lenticular overlay, appears as 3d to human viewers.
I think this technology is amazing. Sure, there are still some issues with the technology (one being that you need to be viewing the monitor in certain spots, and if you move your head left or right while watching the 3d monitor, the image will go out of focus. I explain the 3d viewing planes in another post).
I am Very Interested in this topic but I have problem with "the next step is to compress all the video streams using H.264 and wrap them in an MP4". Can You tell what soft was used? Could You recommend another program but not z.l.i.c.e.3D? As it turned out it doesn't work on my computer. Thank You! (and sorry for my english)
ReplyDeleteSorry, but it's z.l.i.c.e.3d that does the compressing of each video stream into H.264 nd then wraps them in an MPEG-4 container. Maybe you could try using a different computer. You could easily build a pretty powerful computer from parts from a store like Tiger Direct for about $700 that could power z.l.i.c.e.3d.
ReplyDeleteIs this A3D Plug-in still available on 3D International's site? I can't seem to find it (http://www.visumotion.com/)
ReplyDeleteI searched visumotion.com on February 02 2011, and found the download.
ReplyDeleteGo to Products->3D Software Solutions->VIM 3D Cam Plugins
On that page, look over on the left under "Download" then click on "+Software"
Now click on "3D Studio MAX Plugin" and there you will find download links.
3D International Group has the link to "SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS" on the homepage now.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.visumotion.com