Stereoscopy is the science and technology of creating the illusion of depth perception by presenting two offset images—one to each eye—mimicking the way human vision naturally perceives 3D space. Unlike traditional 2D displays, stereoscopic systems exploit binocular disparity, allowing the brain to fuse these images into a single scene with spatial depth.
Stereoscopy vs. Stereography
- Stereoscopy refers to real-time or dynamic 3D rendering (e.g., VR, autostereoscopic displays).
- Stereography traditionally refers to static 3D imagery (e.g., stereoscopic photographs, anaglyph prints).
This section explores the principles behind stereoscopic vision, including:
- Human Vision & Free Viewing – How the eyes converge and focus in natural and artificial 3D environments.
- Vergence-Accommodation Conflict (VAC) – The perceptual disconnect caused by mismatched depth cues in synthetic 3D displays.
Understanding these fundamentals is essential for designing comfortable, immersive stereoscopic experiences.
