Software developers can tap into the knowledge we've gained in our 16 years in the 3D visualization industry. Our program offers developers the support they'll need to produce 3D stereo-vision software with exceptional visual effects and realism. After all, we wrote the book on good stereo--literally. And that's information wepass on to our developers.
What We Do
StereoGraphics® is the worldwide leader in 3D stereo visualization products and prototyped the first flickerless field-sequential electro-stereoscopic display in 1981. CrystalEyes®, introduced in 1989, were the first untethered liquid crystal 3D glasses. CrystalEyes are used extensively on workstations for molecular modeling, CAD, geographic information systems, corporate presentations and scientific visualization. SimulEyes VR is StereoGraphics' adaptation of this technology for the mass market.The StereoGraphics Developer Program provides information necessary to produce qualitystereo-vision software applications including games, multimedia, molecular modeling, CAD/CAM, etc. through the Software Developer's Kit and the StereoGraphics Handbook (aguide to creating exceptional stereo images).
Software developers can tap into the knowledge we've gained in our 15 years in the 3D visualization industry. Our program offers developers the support they'll need to produce 3D stereo-vision software with exceptional visual effects and realism. After all, we wrote the book on good stereo-literally. And that's information we pass on to our developers.
StereoGraphics eyewear products do not require the user to open the PC, install circuit boards, set dip switches, interrupts or jumpers, or load device drivers. Installation is entirely external and so simple it takes only a few seconds. This simplicity results in a product that is truly plug and play.
SimulEyes VR
StereoGraphics Corp. SimulEyes VR shuttering LCD glasses provide true stereoscopic 3D viewing to multimedia and game users. The effect is amazing: The surface of the screen disappears and images occupy the true three-dimensional space. The PC user can experience true 3D on a PC for under $150 with SimulEyes VR. No other stereoscopic viewing device offers the comfort, resolution and ease of installation of SimulEyes VR, all at an affordable price.The video boards used in multimedia PCs conform to the IBM 8514 1024 by 768 standard, an interlaced format operating at approximately 90 fields per second. SimulEyes VR takes full advantage of this high field rate. Most products that operate at a lower field rate have noticeable flicker. At SimulEyes VR's high rate, flicker is practically imperceptible. And for non-interlaced DOS games, page swapping offers an excellent fast action mode at 70Hz and 80Hz.
Converting and developing code for SimulEyes VR is surprisingly straightforward. Since 3D stereo emulates the way your eyes work, it requires two perspectives , one for the right eye and one for the left. To differentiate the left and right images, a line is inserted on the last pixel row (a short line indicates the left image, and a long line indicates the right eye view), a method called the "White Line Code". The White Line Code then triggers the eyewear shutters so that the appropriate shutter opens for the appropriate eye while the opposite shutter is closed. A logic circuit ensures that only bona fide code will trigger the eyewear.
CrystalEyes
StereoGraphics lightweight CrystalEyes eyewear are designed for untethered 3D Stereo visualization on computer monitors, displays and large-screen projection systems. CrystalEyes provide high-resolution, realistic and flicker-free stereo viewing for scientific visualization, CAD, molecular modeling, corporate presentations, GIS, virtual environments and many other applications.CrystalEyes incorporate liquid crystal shutters that alternate between transparent and opaque at 120 frames per second, synchronized with a 120 Hz stereo-ready monitor using an infrared signal. When the left image is displayed, the left lens of the eyewear opens while the right lens closes-displaying the correct image to the correct eye. The result is a non-flickering, full-color, true stereo 3D image, replicating the way people view their surroundings in the real world. Because CrystalEyes glasses are sycronized with the displayed 3D stereo image via an infrared signal, any number of users can simultaneously view the display with complete freedom ofmovement. CrystalEyes are available with or for most major stereo-ready workstations and personal computers. Platforms include Silicon Graphics, Sun, Digital and Hewlett Packard. It also runs on IBM-compatible PCs, Macintosh and NEC. And all the major monitor manufacturers produce stereo-ready monitors.
CrystalEyes Software Development
CrystalEyes development on workstation platforms is a straightforward process. Nearly all SGI hardware systems built in the last five years (and all systems currently shipping) include built-in hardware support for CrystalEyes. Many other workstations also include CrystalEyes support right out of the box.Using Open GL, which is gaining rapid acceptance across platforms, a developer can take advantage of special extension functions to create stereoscopic applications. These functions enable the developer to check whether the hardware is stereo-ready, easily switch into and out of stereoscopic display mode, and draw to either or both of the eye buffers. And platforms that don't use Open GL generally have their own set of built-in stereo functionality.
Get This When You Join!
StereoGraphics® is seeking software developers interested in adding a new dimension to theirapplications. Our stereo-vision glasses create a true stereoscopic 3D experience when used withstereo-enabled software. The Developer Program supplies information necessary to producequality stereo-vision games, multimedia and other applications through the Software Developer's Kit and the StereoGraphics Handbook -- a guide to creating effective stereo images. In addition, you get all of this:
- Software Developer's Kit updates
- Big discounts on SimulEyes VR hardware
- Sample code
- Software demos
- Developer technical support
- Testing of products for optimal stereo-vision effects
- "SimulEyes VR-Ready" logos for your ads and packaging for approved products
- Web page links for approved products
- Listing in the StereoGraphics software catalog
- Joint press opportunities
- Joint marketing opportunities including mail promotions, trade show hardware, advertisements and more
Enrollment in the program cost only $100 annually and entitles you to buy SimulEyes VR for only $95 and CrystalEyes for just $350!
Developer Marketing Support
StereoGraphics® wants to help key developers access new markets through the Developer Program. For selected products that have been tested and approved by StereoGraphics, we can aid your marketing efforts in the following important ways:
Link Your Company To Our Web Site
Our World Wide Web page is seen by many people every week. By including reciprocal web links, we both attract more people to our Web sites.
Put Your Product Literature In Our Box
StereoGraphics will include selected product listings in the product boxes. Information about your product will be seen at the moment the customer is most excited about their purchase.
List Your Products In Our Products & Services Guide
Our sales people are frequently asked for a list of software that can take advantage of CrystalEyes® and SimulEyes VR. We will include a description of your product, and how to contact you, in our Products & Services Guide, which we distribute to customers and developers.
Include Your Customer Success Stories In Our Advertising
We want to let people know about your state-of-the-art stereo applications. If you have a success story involving your products and a StereoGraphics product, let us know. We'll work with you to write up a story and publicize it on the Web and other sources.
Provide StereoGraphics Logos For Tested And Approved Products
Placing StereoGraphics logos in your promotional materials differentiates your product from your competitors and tells people it is stereo-ready.
Documentation & Drivers
Developers can download our SimulEyes VR drivers and complete documentation for CrystalEyes and SimulEyes for free! You can find out about graphics libraries that work with SimulEyes VR and get sample code. But we offer much more than that. In addition, benefit from our 16 years experience in stereoscopic visualization. You'll find useful documents on creating high-quality stereoscopic software from the experts. No other company can offer that. And that's free too.Documentation
Tips on creating good stereo-vision images The founder of StereoGraphics discusses creating images for optimal stereo effectsThe StereoGraphics Handbook The complete text, including illustrations, algorithms and theory, of the StereoGraphics Handbook. This is a truly unique guide to understanding stereo images.
Driver documentation This document provides information on programming for SimulEyes VR for DOS or Windows
How does it work? CrystalEyes on the PC and on some workstations uses an "above-below" format to contain left- and right-eye information. This document illustrates how that works.SDK for Silicon Graphics® GL This text explains how to use GL for for stereo development on SGI systems with CrystalEyes
Back to Content Outline
Copyright ©1996, Stereographics, Inc. All Rights Reserved