Online Stereoscopic Video Application using 2 standard webcams

In a three-dimensional world such as the one we live in, two-dimensional screens are a disadvantage. Some amusement parks around the world show off with the ability to project three-dimensional movies

INTORDUCTION
In a three-dimensional world such as the one we live in, two-dimensional screens are a disadvantage. Some amusement parks around the world show off with the ability to project three-dimensional movies. A few TV programs have broadcasted 3D movies, as well. How do they do it? Especially on a two-dimensional screen? The goal of this project is to design a real-time three-dimensional video recorder, for home use. In order to reach this goal, we had to learn what is stereoscopic vision, and what are the conditions for the ability to have stereoscopic vision. Using this knowledge we checked various technologies of showing three-dimensional images on a two-dimensional screen. Out of these technologies, the one with the least expenses was chosen, for the home user. After choosing the technology and checking all the project requirements – we discovered a technical problem which forced us to create a distributed system. Therefore, a server-client application was built which operates on a local network.
 
3D METHODS

Method
Operation
Advantages
Disadvantages
Stereoscope

 1
  1. Two images shown side by side
  2. Using a stereoscope to separate images between
    eyes
Color images
One viewer at a time
Plarization
2
  • Two synchronized projectors project two views
    onto the screen, each with different polarization
  • The glasses are able to allow only one of the
    images into each eye because they contain lenses with different polarization
Color images
Expensive
Anglyph
3
  • Two images are displayed on the screen, one
    in red and the other in blue
  • The filters on the glasses allow only one image
    to enter each eye
Not expensive
Color distortion
Stereograms
4
  • Each eye receives a different image by focusing
    the eyes in front or behind the image
No special accessories needed
Disturbs the Eyes
Requires exercises

Requires Depth-Map
Time Sharing
5
  • The screen displays the two images alternating
    one right after the other
  • Special LCD glasses block the view of one eye
    and the the other in rapid succession
Color images
Expensive

The Anglyph method was chosen due to low expenses and simplicity.
WORKING ENVIORNMENT
6
 
APPLICATION STRUCTURE
The application was separated to the following two components:

  • 3DView – The server. It’s main function is to synchronize between the clients and to build the 3D image out of the images sent by the clients
  • Client_Camera – The client which performs the frame grabbing from the webcam, and when asked by server – sends the image

 
RESULTS
The following pictures were built with the application:
Each component creates a thread so that its operation won’t stop when waiting for data.

Yoni Left Yoni Right
7 8

Yoni 3D

Amir in 3D
9 10

 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to thank the Ollendorff Minerva Center Fund for supporting this project.