3D Stereoscopic Websites. June 29th, 2010.
Invented in 1838, stereoscopy is nothing new – the earliest 3D film know to have been shown publicly was “L’arrivée du train” filmed in 1903 by the Lumière brothers, the inventors of cinema. When it was released, audiences panicked because they thought the train was about to crash right into them! Filmmakers even used stereoscopy to produce 3D colour footage of the Queen’s coronation in 1952.
Despite initial excitement, however, 3D fell out of use because of the poor viewing conditions in most theatres and due to the complex equipment required to exhibit 3D movies. There have, of course, been occasional revivals with the likes of “Jaws 3D”, “Comin at Ya!” and “Friday the 13th – Part 3” but until recently the little cardboard specs just failed to inspire and the 3D effects used, simply as a means to an end.
Recent advances in computer animation technology, digital cameras and filming techniques has revived the trend – showcased by the incredible “Avatar” in 2009. Since then there seems to have been a glut of 3D films in the offing and now 3D Home Cinema is becoming a reality.
With the demand for 3D continuing to grow will this trend spill over into the internet with more demand for truly 3D websites?
The only completely 3D stereoscopic website that I’ve come across is
Swell 3D - Stereoscopic Website
You will need the 3D specs to get the best from it but it does work and is fun to browse for as long as your eyes hold out.
Apart from the novelty factor is there much point?
Well, unless the 3D effect can be used to enhance the end user experience, for most applications, probably not – but having said that, consider Architects, Interior Designers and Garden Landscapers; these are sectors where the user could potentially be immersed within a design concept or be presented with 3D examples of previous work undertaken to help get a better visual appreciation of what’s on offer.
With the ever emergent 3D technology being release to market it’s only going to be a matter of time before we start seeing more 3D content in mainstream applications but until the take up of 3D monitors becomes more widespread – for most of us we’ll have to be content with keeping our 3D specs in our back pockets…
