Barco CADWall User manual

Stereoscopic Projection
3D PROJECTION TECHNOLOGY
innovators in image processing
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right eye
left eye image right eye image
stereoscopic projection
left eye
The Principle of 3D Imaging
Due to the 4-6 cm (1.6-2.3 inch) separation
between the eyes, each eye has a slightly
different viewpoint. The images from these
two different viewpoints are sent to the
brain and this difference, which is termed
parallax, is interpreted as depth.
Stereoscopic projection is based on the same
principle: two slightly different images are
projected onto the screen and the imaging
system must enable the left eye to see only the
left eye image, and the right eye to see only
the right image.
Barco’s quality of separation guarantees
that the images of the two eyes are separated
and displayed in such a way that the final 3D
images appear fully focused and not
blurred.
Barco: The Qualit
Chemists analyze complex molecular
structures and simulate how new drugs
might interact with the human body.
Oil and Gas specialists determine where to
drill by virtually exploring geoseismic data of
the earth below its surface.
Edutainment is especially captivating when
one is immersed in a virtually created
imaginary world.
Engineers experience new designs virtually
before they are actually produced.
BrookHaven National
Laboratory,
New York, USA.
Photo courtesy of
Tom Sobolik.
Photo courtesy of
Rover, UK.
Photo courtesy of
Polytechnic University,
Hong Kong.
Photo courtesy of
Schlumberger
Dairy Ashford, Texas,
USA.
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ity Solution for Stereoscopic Viewing
Barco offers a complete range of high-end
projection platforms covering all technologies - CRT,
LCD and DLP™ - for active and/or passive stereo
applications.
High quality optional application-specific
optimizations for multi-screen stereoscopic
projection onto flat, curved and dome-shaped
screens result from years of experience in the field.
Barco’s projection solutions include:
• Optimized mechanics and screens
• Proprietary high-quality eyewear
• Software for dedicated image distortion and easy
adjustment and maintenance
Barco has a proven track record of high-quality
installations in the most demanding 3D markets
worldwide.
Automotive designers evaluate the looks and ergonomics of future cars, reducing the costly
and time-consuming effort of physical prototyping.
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1 DLP™Projector 1 CRTProjector
Pair of passive stereo glasses
Images at double
refresh rate on a
non-depolarizing screen
Stereo-enabled DLP™
or fast-phosphor green
CRT projector
ZScreen
The ZScreen for a DLP™ (Digital Light Processing™)
projector such as the BARCO GALAXY is smaller because
it must cover only one lens, while a CRT projector has
three lenses.
LCD projectors cannot operate at a high enough
vertical refresh rate to produce a high-quality stereo
display with a single projector (at least 96 Hz is
recommended).
When using CRT projection a "fast-phosphor"
green CRT is needed to obtain the required high
refresh rate. Barco CRT projectors such as the
BARCOREALITY 908, 909 and 912 can be delivered with
this option already installed.
Barco has developed very high quality passive stereo
displays based on the principle of light polarization.
The viewer wears a pair of glasses containing two
oppositely polarized filters - one for the left eye and
one for the right eye. The light from each of two
projected images is polarized and can only pass
through its corresponding filter.
With a Single Projector
• The projector alternates the left eye information with
the right eye information at double refresh rate.
• A ‘ZScreen’ in front of the projector’s lenses
alternates the polarization of the projected image
in such a way that the image of each eye passes only
through its corresponding polarizing filter of the pair
of passive stereo glasses.
Passive
Passive3D DISPLAY SYSTEMS
Photo courtesy of Terminal V, Austria.
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Pair of passive stereo glasses
Non-depolarizing screen
Two CRT or DLP™projectors
With Two Projectors
One projector displays the left eye information and the
other displays the right eye information, both at a
standard refresh rate.
A polarizing filter mounted in the optical light path
of each projector ensures that the correct information
passes through its corresponding filter in the pair of
passive stereo glasses.
This two-projector approach has the added value of
providing higher brightness.
A light wave rotates in any direction. The specific
orientation at any given moment determines the
polarization of a light wave. By passing unpolarized
light through a polarizer, only one of its orientations
emerges.
By organizing the polarization oppositely for the
left and right eye we can direct different
information to the left and right eye, thus creating
depth perception. As the human eye itself is largely
insensitive to polarization, changing the orientation of
polarized light does not change what we see.
Linear & Circular Light Polarization
Linear Polarization
If light is polarized in a single direction (north/south,
east/west, or even oriented diagonally), it is defined as
linear polarization. When one changes the orientation
of linear-polarized glasses by tilting his or her head, so
that the resulting orientation of polarization does not
match that of the polarization filter mounted on a
projector, there will be a loss of stereo information as
perceived by the viewer.
Nevertheless, linear polarization is a cost-effective
technology that can produce excellent image separation
between the left and right eye, for stereoscopic
applications whereby head tilting is limited.
Linear polarized light
Circular polarized light
2 CRTProjectors
Although weaker in light output, a CRT projector
allows for the highest resolution large screen
images, with unparalleled visual fidelity.
Barco CRT projectors offer a motorized polarization
filter as an option for stereoscopic projection, whereby
the filter can be rotated away from the lens for
standard non-stereoscopic projection.
2 DLP™Projectors
In high ambient light conditions or for very large
screen applications, this solution is optimal.
Barco offers a range of high-quality DLP™ (Digital
Light Processing™) projectors with light output from
5,000 to 18,000 ANSI lumens. For stereoscopic use,
however, “stereo lumen” - which equals less than half
the ANSI lumen value - is the realistic measurement
of brightness.
Passive
Passive3D DISPLAY SYSTEMS
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Pair of passive stereo glasses
Images at double
refresh rate on a
non-depolarizing screen
Two 3D optimized
LCD projectors
Linear-polarized Barco glasses are matched to linear-
polarized Barco projectors, and they offer an excellent
quality-to-price value for stereo viewing with large
audiences.
Circular Polarization
With circular polarization, the viewer can tilt his head
and change his viewing angle relative to the
stereoscopic projection display, because the light is not
polarized in a single direction.
As this high-end technology demands greater
precision and requires a tighter match between the
polarizing filters in the light path of the projectors and
those in the glasses, the use of Barco high-quality
circular eyewear is recommended.
Easy to use and comfortable to wear, polarized
passive stereo eyewear have no active components and
are thus very affordable for large audiences.
Overview Barco glasses: www.vr.barco.com
Some alternative technologies available today, like
Barco INFITEC, incorporate stereo information into the
color wavelengths of the projected image.
This solution results in excellent separation, especially in
combination with DLP™ projectors, while reducing the
color range and brightness.
Barco’s MICATM, MINI CADWALL.
(Photo courtesy of Schlumberger, GeoQuest)
Single Active Stereo > Passive Stereo
The BARCO DUET converter splits an active stereo
image into a left and right eye component and
then passes these two images to the two corresponding
internally polarized BARCOREALITY SIM 6 projectors.
Barco DUET
The active-to-passive stereo converter for the BARCOREALITY SIM 6
projector offers automated left/right signal and sync detection and
automatically chooses the resolution and refresh rate for optimal
passive stereo display.
one double refresh rate
active stereo signal two passive
stereo signals
Dual-stacked
BARCOREALITY SIM 6
Workstation with
one graphics output Barco's DUET
one double refresh rate
active stereo signal two passive
stereo signals
Dual-stacked
BARCOREALITY SIM 6
Workstation with
one graphics output Barco's DUET
2 LCDProjectors
Barco LCD projectors are each internally
polarized to its corresponding left and right eye
information, eliminating the requirement for external
filters. With Barco’s internal polarization 70% of the
original light output is maintained, making this
technology the most efficient method available to
obtain high stereo lumen brightness levels.
DUET
Barco’s high-quality circular eyewear
13mm afsnijden
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Single Projector, Double Refresh Rate
The viewer wears special eyewear comprising two IR-
controlled LCD light shutters working in
synchronization with the projector. When the
projector displays the left eye image, the right eye
shutter of the active stereo eyewear is closed, and vice
versa. The single projector used must be capable of
displaying at a refresh rate high enough that the
viewer does not perceive a flicker between alternate
frames.
Pair of active stereo glasses
Images at double
refresh rate
Stereo-enabled DLP™
or fast phosphor green
CRT projector
Emitter
Photo courtesy of ItalDesign, Italy.
1 CRTProjector
Due to the higher refresh rate of the incoming
signal, a projector with a ‘fast phosphor’ green CRT
is required. Barco’s CRT projectors can be delivered
with this option already installed.
1 DLP™Projector
The BARCO GALAXY stereoscopic DLP™ projector
offers stereo capabilities at SXGA resolution up to
110Hz. This higher refresh rate is complemented by an
extremely bright and high-contrast image, resulting in
an active stereo 3D projection display of unparalleled
clarity and vividness.
Active
Active3D DISPLAY SYSTEMS
13mm afsnijden
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Stereo
LCD
CRT
DLP™
Lumens
With stereo projection, light output is at least
halved in the process of creating a separate left and
right eye picture. Projectors employing different
technologies but with the same ANSI lumen specs can
give quite different stereo lumen results. The stereo
lumen is the only practical value for accurately
measuring brightness in Virtual Reality applications.
BARCOREALITY 909
The motorized polarizing filter can be
disengaged by remote control for
full brightness in non-
stereo mode. BARCO GALAXY DLP™
An impressive 205 MHz A/D conversion
bandwidth ensures compatibility with high resolution
and high refresh rate sources for active stereo.
Fast Green Phosphor
CRT projectors offer a high dynamic range,
displaying detail from bright highlight areas to dark
shadow areas. Color matching and color uniformity is
excellent.
For active stereo applications, where double refresh
rates are required, the persistence and decay time of
the phosphor on the green cathode ray tube (CRT)
must be shortened.
Barco offers active stereo CRT projectors with fast-
phosphor green tubes at sizes of 7", 8", 9", and even
12”.
BARCOREALITY SIM 6
This LCD projector, which is specially
designed for applications in Simulation and
Virtual Reality, offers built-in Warp6TM
non-linear image mapping technology.
Warp6TM enables high-order pre-distortions
electronically with virtually no frame delay,
for use with curved-screen and dome
applications.
The BARCOREALITY SIM 6 projectors
shown here are equipped with Barco’s
external blending plates, for seamless soft-
edge matching across multi-channel displays.
Internally Stereo Optimized
By internally polarizing Barco LCD projectors, external
polarizing filters are not needed, thus avoiding the
excessive light loss caused by external polarization. In
this way Barco LCD stereo-optimized projectors are able
to maintain about 70% of the original light output.
Barco’s Transport Delay Reduction technology
essentially eliminates the delay between the input
signal and the projected image for optimal real-time
interaction with projected images.
Light Efficiency
BARCO GALAXY
Barco’s multi-channel-capable stereo-optimized
GALAXY, equipped with DMD™ (Digital Micromirror
Device™) optimized polarizers, displays active stereo at
SXGA resolution up to 110Hz.
Barco’s SyncLock technology ensures synchronization
between the Image Generator, the BARCO GALAXY
and the active stereo shutter glasses.
For passive stereo, Barco offers a range of DLP™
projectors with light output from 5,000 to 18,000 ANSI
lumens.
more product info on www.vr.barco.com
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> ACTIVE STEREO
As the projector sequentially projects the left and right
eye images, the duty cycle is 50%. However, the extra
blanking between the left and the right image that is
required to ensure a good stereo separation further
diminishes the light output, resulting in an
efficiency of about 45%.
Due to polarizing filters that are utilized in active
stereo eyewear, each eye receives less than half of
the remaining light. As the shutter glasses do not
open and close instantaneously, and due to the light
lost from the polarization, efficiency of the active
stereo eyewear is rated at about 35%. The overall
efficiency of the active stereo process therefore
equals about 45% x 35%, or approximately 16%.
The influence of the screen has not been taken into account in the pictures. Indicative average values depend on materials used. yellow = polarized light
-55% -65%
16%
SINGLE CRT OR DLP™ PROJECTOR
The unpolarized light coming from each projector is
externally polarized, which diminishes the brightness
by more than half and reduces the efficiency to about
45%. Then the polarized image is viewed through
LCD panels polarize the light that passes through them
in different directions. Through the use of internal
polarization Barco is able to maintain about 70% of
the original light output.
Combined with the 84% efficiency of the passive
glasses an overall projection efficiency of 59% is
reached.
passive stereo glasses that transmit the polarized
light at about 84% efficiency, resulting in a final
efficiency rate of approximately 38%.
When a ZScreen is used to polarize the light, a single
projector is driven in active stereo mode. As a ZScreen
is even slower than active glasses more blanking is
needed between the left and right signal, resulting in a
duty cycle efficiency of about 40%.
The ZScreen polarizes light with a brightness efficiency
of about 35%. With the passive stereo eyewear
having an efficiency rating of 84%, the final efficiency
rating is about 12%.
>PASSIVE STEREO
-55%
-16% 38%
-60% -65% -16%
12%
-30% -16% 59%
TWO CRT OR DLP™ PROJECTORS
SINGLE PROJECTOR WITH ZSCREEN
TWO LCD PROJECTORS
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Mirror
Wide
Although the projection screen is one
of the key components in a display
system, its significance is often
overlooked. The type of screen
technology employed is critical for
multi-channel displays and especially
for passive stereoscopic projection.
In close collaboration with the world’s
leading screen suppliers, Barco is
constantly evaluating the latest screen
technologies and has developed
proprietary and customized screen
solutions for the most demanding
applications.
Advanced Screen Technology
There is no magic screen material nor
configuration or set-up that performs
perfectly for every installation
Viewing Angles
Providing wide horizontal and vertical viewing angles and
maintaining consistent corner-to-center brightness levels are
essential for large-format stereoscopic projection display systems.
In order to eliminate hot spots and color shifts the gain and
diffusion properties of a screen must be matched precisely
to the type of projection technology utilized (CRT, LCD, or DLP™).
The positioning of the projectors (on-axis or off-axis), their
brightness level, and the type of stereoscopy (active or passive)
are important considerations as well.
Barco offers screens that can be
optimized for diffusion with different
gain factors. Total half-gain angles
can range from 45 to 100 degrees,
depending on the specific needs of
the application.
Configurations
To minimize the floor space required for rear-projection
installations, optical mirror systems are often used to fold the
light path. Barco uses only specially selected front-coated mirrors
of the highest quality. Advanced 3D engineering software is
utilized to calculate the optimal positioning of the mirrors,
projectors, and screen, as the complex light paths within a
projection display system are precision-designed to the tightest
tolerances possible.
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PASCAD
Mechanical
Setup Channels Stereo ●Rigid or
●Flexible Screen
●front ●single ●none ●flat
●rear ●multi* ●active ●cylindrical curved
●passive linear ●spherical curved
●passive circular ●conical curved
*blending optimized
Barco’s Transportable I-SPACETM4
(Photo Courtesy of Dassault Systèmes Group and SAS3 consortium)
Standard screen:
ghosting due to
inadequate non-
depolarization of
the screen.
Passive Stereo Screen
Excellent Stereo Separation
When excellent passive stereo separation is achieved by
integrating Barco projectors with polarization
technology, it is perfectly maintained by the optimal
non-depolarizing properties of Barco’s proprietary
PASCAD passive stereo screen.
Requirements
While screens should be as rigid as possible in order to
prevent distortion of the projected image, they must
also have the flexibility to pass through doors or
windows to reach an installation site. When used on
the floor of an immersive cubic environment, the
screen must be solid and stable enough to support
several people, yet thin enough to prevent doubled
images. There should be no visible seams between the
walls, floor and ceiling.
Barco can deliver single sheets of screen material with
widths up to 7.5m (24.6 feet), heights up to 3.5m
(11.5 ft), and thicknesses from 0.8mm (0.032 inch) to
75mm (3 inch).
Barco’s
PASCAD
screen
ACTCAD
Active Stereo Screen
After extensive testing of numerous different screen
materials, which were selected based on a thorough
understanding of their mechanical and optical
characteristics, Barco has developed its proprietary
ACTCAD screens. Delivering a higher brightness level
and better color uniformity than standard diffuse
screens, the ACTCAD screen offers optimal viewing
from almost any angle.
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Barco’s Projector Alignment Tool
For easy and fast alignment
of complex multi-screen
projection systems to their
maximum capabilities, Barco
has developed its own
proprietary dedicated
software.
With an intuitive user
interface, Barco’s Polaris
software is driven by multi-
pipe, multi-channel image
generators to calculate and
generate user-specified pre-
distorted test patterns.
EXPERT PR
OJ
E
C
T
O
R ALI
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NMENT
SO
FTWAR
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AutoAlign
After one source has been aligned, BARCO AUTOALIGN
technology automatically adjusts the other sources
to obtain optimal geometry, edge matching and
convergence. This automated alignment process results
in a precise matching of adjacent channels in the
blend areas. Remote access is possible through a local
network.
AUTOALIGN is also a great help in performing a quick
touch-up to maintain optimal multi-channel
geometry and convergence (including on green).
Expert Alignment Software
The user enters the dimensions and shape of
the screen (flat, cylindrical, spherical,
toroidal, dome-shaped, conical) and
Polaris calculates and generates the
pre-distorted geometry, gray scale
and color alignment patterns.
Camera settings and parameters for
each display channel can be specified in
coordinates or as field-of-view angles,
either symmetrical or asymmetrical.
When applicable,
patterns can be saved
independently from the
graphics configuration of
the image generator.
Accurate
Reference Points
To enable the alignment of several projectors onto a
multi-channel display, accurate reference points
must be marked on the screen structure.
To achieve the highest level of accuracy possible, Barco
has developed its own procedures and corresponding
hardware.
www.vr.barco.com
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Foto courtesy of Fraunhofer IAO, Germany
Foto courtesy of Fraunhofer IAO, Germany
Wizard
Tracking Software
As a user’s head moves, turns or tilts in a virtual
environment, the computer-generated image he sees
must continually update accordingly with no
noticeable lag, jitter or distortion. If a user employs a
wand to interact with the environment, the computer
must interact in real time with the movements and
spatial orientation of the wand as well.
Accurate tracking of the user’s
movements and subsequent
feedback to the computer are
integral components of a
successful interaction
between the user and the
computer.
The technology or
combination of
technologies chosen for
interaction will determine
its efficiency in a given
application. Barco has
accumulated considerable
experience with the various
interactive devices and
tracking technologies and can
insure a superior performance
and a "seamless" integration of the
tracking system into a given interactive
display system.
For the accurate and efficient calibration of ultrasonic
tracking devices, Barco has developed its "iWIZARD"
software. In combination with integrated marking
hardware, this software is used to configure the
position and orientation of each transmitter.
For reconfigurable systems such as the BARCO MOVE™
different setups can be activated by a single button
click. The software is available on Unix as well as on
Windows platforms.
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Renault - Italdesign - Pharmacia - Cineca -
ELF - Volvo - General Motors - Italdesign -
National Center for Atmospheric Research -
Center for Human Simulation - SGI - EDS -
Boeing - AGIP - University of Vienna - Lancia
- Schlumberger - Volkswagen - PSA -
University of Munster - Fraunhofer Institut -
Skoda - Cineca - University of Tokyo - FIAT -
SAIC - Pininfarina - Adler Planetarium -
Conoco - US Army - Brown University - Alfa
Romeo - World Expo Hanover 2000 -
University of Tubingen - Sanofi - University
of Mississippi - Avantis Pharma - Stola
Group - University of Osaka - Matsushita
Sonatrach HMD - Digital Earth - University
of Illinois - Naval Undersea Warfare Center -
NASA Ames Research Center - BMW - Maui
High Performance Computing Center -
Brookhaven National Laboratory ...
BARCO Simulation Products
A Business Unit of BARCO Projection Systems
US Headquarters:
600 Bellbrook Ave.
Xenia, OH 45385
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
European Headquarters:
Noordlaan 5 8520 Kuurne, Belgium
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
www.vr.barco.com
• Expertise in all aspects
that create and impact
stereo image quality
• Global experience in a
wide variety of
demanding V&AR
applications
Ref. n° R5994301 - June 2002 - Ptinted in Belgium
BARCO Projection Systems
is an ISO 9001 registered
company.
The information and data given are typical for the
equipment described. However any individual
item is subject to change without any notice.
Barco Simulation Products develops high-performance visual display
systems for flight simulators, ship bridge simulators, Air Traffic Control,
mission rehearsal simulators and entertainment applications. Active on a
worldwide scale – with main offices in Kuurne (Belgium) and Xenia
(Ohio, US) – Barco Simulation Products has gained an international
reputation for its customer-driven application engineering and
projection system optimization know-how.
In Virtual and Augmented Reality Highest
Added Value for Optimal Return on
Investment has a Name: BARCO
Barco’s Virtual & Augmented Reality (V&AR) division offers a wide range
of high-end solutions for 3D stereo and multi-screen applications,
ranging from curved-screen reality centers and multi-channel
CADWALLS™, to immersive virtual environments such as the MOVE™ and
the I-SPACE™. These top-of-the-line V&AR solutions are developed and
manufactured for a variety of markets, such as Automotive, Oil&Gas,
Military, Pharmaceutical, Medical, Edutainment and Engineering.
US headquarters at Xenia, Ohio European headquarters at Kuurne, Belgium
DLP™ technology by Texas Instruments offers
crystal clear images with superior quality.
DLP, Digital Light Processing, DMD, Digital
Micromirror Device are trademarks of Texas
Instruments.
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