Mechdyne has released its new ACE Dual-View product, allowing the production of two distinct user perspectives from a single 3D digital projector. By using the Dual-View technology, two people working in an immersive stereoscopic environment can see a different view of 3D images and, since both viewers are separately motion-tracked, the images they see as they explore and interact are unique to their view. This enables more natural discussion when viewing virtual prototypes or navigating virtual scenes. Furthermore, Mechdyne’s software will allow for each user to see the other user’s position and orientation relative to the virtual world and the objects it contains.
The first customer for an ACE (which stands for 'Advanced Collaborative Environment') Dual-View-capable system is a US University, which will use the technology in conjunction with a CAVE automated virtual environment, designed and integrated by Mechdyne.
In nearly all 3D immersive display systems used today, the computer-generated imagery is closely tied to a single, motion-tracked user whose viewpoint and movements dictate what other viewers see. Previous attempts at creating distinct images for different users in the same virtual workspace relied on multiple projectors, with higher associated costs and complexity.
According to the company, potential applications in engineering include the design of an automobile interiors; two designers can view the simulation from different positions within the virtual image. Additional applications exist in surgical simulations, in which an experienced practitioner may be observing or instructing a student in new techniques.
The Dual-View technology can be incorporated into any of Mechdyne’s projection-based 3D visual environments, including CAVE and FLEX immersive displays, single and multi-projector PowerWalls, PLEX, portable ROVR systems and custom display configurations.
