What exactly is 3D?

• Phunkie wrote on 2010-06-27 03:01
  I keep hearing it everyday. Toy Story 3 in 3D, the 3DS, etc. And I'm confused.
  
  Are we not already 3D individuals that walk and talk?
  
  When we watch a movie, do we not already see those three dimensions? Length, width and depth; as opposed to cartoon characters that only have a length and a width?
  
  That term has always confused me.
  
  I know what 3D movies are btw. Just want some clarification.
• Chockeh wrote on 2010-06-27 03:02
  It's like if you looked at another person.
  Different from only looking at the screen. Like he's near you, and they can jump right at your face to scare you.
• puppypaint wrote on 2010-06-27 03:11
  Have you never seen a 3D movie? :o
  I actually don't really notice the difference for the most part. =/
  Really they're only doing that with new movies because it makes it harder to pirate.
• Chockeh wrote on 2010-06-27 03:14
  I've seen Avatar and lot's of 3D in Disney o-o.
• Phunkie wrote on 2010-06-27 03:15
  I have.
  
  It just bothers me that they call it 3D. @_@
  
  Like, the movie isn't already 3D? lol
• Chockeh wrote on 2010-06-27 03:18
  Then what's 4D?
• Kazuni wrote on 2010-06-27 03:20
  It's more 3D than regular movies.
• Arsik wrote on 2010-06-27 03:28
  Just to add on to what Kaz said to put a more technical aspect on it; 3D movies and games have more depth to it than ordinary games and movies. With 3D, they pop out at you, so you feel like you're closer to the action, and can tell the distance between things better. With 2D, it's all on a flat screen, so depth perception gets a little lost in translation. Of course, since electronic companies are now getting more and more into 3D, pretty soon we might be able to see full holographic projections become available to the public.
• puppypaint wrote on 2010-06-27 03:37

  Quote from Arsik;76908:

  Just to add on to what Kaz said to put a more technical aspect on it; 3D movies and games have more depth to it than ordinary games and movies. With 3D, they pop out at you, so you feel like you're closer to the action, and can tell the distance between things better. With 2D, it's all on a flat screen, so depth perception gets a little lost in translation. Of course, since electronic companies are now getting more and more into 3D, pretty soon we might be able to see full holographic projections become available to the public.

  
  
  Sounds like Star Wars. XD
  I don't think it would be soon (depending on your definition of soon...), but it will definitely happen.
• Tokiko wrote on 2010-06-27 04:09

  Quote from Chocklitshop;76900:

  Then what's 4D?

  
  Based on my guess 4D is the same as 3D but instead of it being infront of you it would be all around you like on your left,right,ect
  

  Quote from puppypaint;76895:

  Have you never seen a 3D movie? :o
  I actually don't really notice the difference for the most part. =/
  Really they're only doing that with new movies because it makes it harder to pirate.

  
  What? how is it harder to pirate a 3D movie. It won't be 3D but it's not going to be harder to pirate. o_o
• Phunkie wrote on 2010-06-27 04:16
  We can't see in 4D, no matter how hard we try.
  
  Check out this video. Sagan is a G.
  
  [video=youtube;Y9KT4M7kiSw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KT4M7kiSw[/video]
  
  And thank you Arsik for that lovely explanation. :)
• Chockeh wrote on 2010-06-27 04:23
  I dont really like the idea of a projection, like in Futurama and other Futuristic shows. It looks like it would be harder for gaming...
• Hiccup wrote on 2010-06-27 04:29
  I saw Hannah Montana in 3D and the only difference was fireworks would seem to fly out...... I think the whole thing is stupid. They put the movies in 3D to keep people coming to the theaters then waiting for the movies to come out on DvD/BluRay/OnDemand.
• BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2010-06-27 04:32
  you get a better perception of the depth
  lets say you play a 3D mario game like super mario sunshine
  You can move up, left, right, down etc.
  You want to hit a block but how do you know if ur under it?
  unless if the game puts shadows you wouldn't naturally know from that flat image on the screen.
• Cucurbita wrote on 2010-06-27 04:42
  We see the screen in 2D.
  The art or visuals are made so that our brain automatically process the depth by analyzing the size, shading, and view point of the objects on camera.
  
  In 3D movies, they use a little trick in which the brain is tricked into actually thinking something is closer than it really is, making you feel more submersed in the movie or game. This is done using layers of images, with each layer being distanced more or less (which decides its distance). Our eyes perceive distance because there are two of them from different vantage points, which lets our focus be seen from two different directions at once.
  
  The best example of what I'm trying to say: Close ONE of your eyes. You THINK that you still see in 3D (and you do), but your ability to perceive depth just sunk considerably. Take two pencils while having one eye closed, one pencil in each hand.
  
  Now hold them up in the air (about a foot away), with the lead pointing each other like this.
  
  

  [Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/KitaeK27/pencil.png]

  
  
  Try to make the lead connect each other. You'll find that one of the pencils will be further away from you than the other despite it looking pretty darn close. Its not impossible to put them together, but its MUCH harder compared to doing it with both eyes open.
  
  Thats how 3D works. It takes that very process, but does it for you via screen, which makes things stand out.
  
  4D is nothing but a scam. We cannot perceive 4D, but there are lots of attractions dubbed 4D. These attractions usually make use of the chairs and theater themselves moving to give you a PHYSICAL feel of what you're watching, instead of just a visual one (ie, changing temperature, blowing wind, moving seats, etc).