openKMQ is the name of an open source / open hardware project to bring affordable and high quality
stereoscopic previewing to every 3D/VFX artists and stereo photographers workplace.
The acronym KMQ stands for the surname initials of 3 physics who designed the main component in the 1980's,
the prism glasses made out of optics grade PMMA.
These glasses change the viewers sight of view : The right eye looks slightly up, the left slightly below the normal eye line.
Stereoscopic viewing is achieved by placing a landscape image pair (left/right) bottom/top at a matching distance to the glasses.
Because of this over/under type layout, this method is also referred to as OverUnder stereo viewing.
For a paper print of letter/A4 size, the viewing distance is approximately 50cm.
Smaller image pairs have a shorter distance, stereo images of poster size need a larger distance.
There are two drawbacks with this method :
There is a small amount of colour fringes because of the prism effect.
With the traditional approach with printed image pairs, the viewer has to search and keep the exact distance from the image pair.
Recent news
3D photo books
In August, I started to code a .NET/mono cross platform application with the working title StereoBookMaker.
The beta version already produces PDF files from a set of stereo image pairs for either "over/under" or "cross eye" viewing.
These PDFs can be taken to a local copy shop or print service to produce 3D photo books. Future releases will also add text labels, text pages and will also create stereo viewing cards for home printing.
Feel free to
me if you would like to become a beta tester. Or simply subscribe to our newsletter list.
Over/under aka KMQ web videos
I recently got PDF files describing how to create over/under web videos with Adobe Flash CS3 from Dr. Quick.
You may download the english or german version of the PDF file.
As a user and supporter of open source software, I plan to also provide a description how to use open source tools to do so and how to also post over/under compatible videos to YouTube 3D.
To achieve the stereo effect, you simply need
the KMQ prism glasses and to place a stereo image pair in over/under layout.
This is the minimum effort needed. And it's great to send with your presentations.
Imagine your clients waving their hands and trying to reach the interior designs you show them on
posters or a KMQ style printed flipbook in photo quality.
Kit 2 (usefull for programmers and Free-Track gamers)
The ultimate solution is using a software with the interactive KMQ layout.
This needs headtracking to get the distance between LCD and the viewers eyes.
We currently work on using the 4-point IR-tracking feature of the hacked Wii-Remote in/on a special mount to fit to your LCD(s)
and adding retroreflective tracking markers to the KMQ glasses fixture.
download laser cutting files: standard / extended (for instructions see hidden comment layer in SVG file) order DIY kit
This kit does NOT include either IR-LEDs nor Wii-Remote!
click image to see details
The only parts that are available commercially are the Wii-Remote from Nintendo and the bareKMQ prism glasses, but we will have a Do-it-yourself-guide for all of the above.
For the parts that need laser cutting (PET plastics) or that are only available as rolls (200Euro each for 3M Scotchlite™ tape), we've set up a pre-cut-kit service for Germany and we encourage companies or individuals
to step in and provide similar services in their countries to lower shipping costs for their community.
If you cannot find your favourite program in the list above, please help us by ...
asking its developer team to intergrate either fixed or head tracked KMQ layout to their product.
trying to set up a simple fixed over/under layout for yourself and then
this for others.
spreading the news about openKMQ in your user community.
do some coding (plug-in, add-on, library, ...) or help with translating or enhancing DIY documents.
Source code and samples
We plan to provide several libraries to embed head tracked KMQ viewing into applications.
Please
us about your needs (i.e. D, .net/mono (cobra,C#), objC, C/C++)
eMail newsletter
To keep informed about new software, upcoming photobook templates and the planned open source stereo web-gallerys you may subscribe or unsubscribe from our english openKMQ mailing list.
The team of Free-Track.net for sharing their long term headtracking experience.
Webmaster :
Trademarks: Scotchlite™ is a registered trademark of 3M Corp.; Adobe and Flash are trademarks of Adobe Inc.; YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.; Wii™ is a registered trademark of Nintendo Corp.;
PIXEL PARTNER® is a registered trademark of Thomas Kumlehn.
enlarge
