We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Hardware

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is 3D Imaging?

By Christopher Fox Graham
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 33,794
Share

3D imaging is a process to render a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional surface by creating the optical illusion of depth. Generally, 3D imaging uses two still or motion camera lenses a slight distance apart to photograph a three-dimensional object. The process effectively duplicates the stereoscopic vision of human eyes. The image is reproduced as two flat images that viewers’ eyes see separately, creating a visual illusion of depth as their brains combine the images into a single one.

The spot where the left and right images overlap is the point of convergence. This point is generally the subject of the image as it is the clearest part of the image. Objects at the point of the convergence appear to exist on the surface screen. As objects in 3D imaging move further from the point of convergence, they appear either closer or further away from the viewer, creating the illusion of depth.

3D imaging is produced either as two separate images viewed side by side or as a single image with two overlapping elements. In stereoscopy, two static photographs are placed side by side and the viewer looks at the left and right images with each eye separately. Stereo photography dates back to early development of photography. This is a simpler process of 3D imagery only requiring two still cameras to produce two static images. These images also can be viewed by each eye independently without the aid of optical equipment.

A stereoscope is a device that holds the stereoscopic images on a single card or projects them the appropriate distance for the viewer to see the images in three dimensions. To see the image in three dimensions without a stereoscope, the viewer can look at both side-by-side images and cross his or her eyes until the images merge. In the combined overlapping, three images appear, the middle of which appears in three dimensions.

Single 3D images such as those used in 3D movies, are projected on a screen and are usually viewed with specialized optical equipment like 3D glasses or polarized lenses that split the two images for each eye. With the naked eye, these images appear like a double exposure. Early 3D movies used red and cyan filters. The 3D glasses contained red and cyan lenses, removing image produced by the other filter creating a separate image for each eye.

Modern 3D imaging instead splits the image with aid of polarized lenses. The process is essentially the same but does not distort the colors of the image like red and cyan filters do. Software programs create 3D imagery with various techniques to create the illusion of motion, by moving objects closer to the view more than those further away.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-3d-imaging.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.