3D-Display without Glasses
3D-News Posted: Sunday, September 29, 2002 (8:27 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
The Japanese electronics company Sharp announced last friday that it has developed a new LCD technology, which permits to switch between two- and three-dimensional images. Three-dimensional viewing will therefore be possible without special glasses. In the display, a so-called 'parallax barrier' ensures that the different light signals of the 3D-Display reach the right and left eye separately. For the 2D-mode, the barrier can be switched to a transparent mode. The technology was developed in Sharp's Oxford-based Laboratory in England. It is unknown so far when the first displays will be available on the consumer market.

	PHOTOKINA: Where to find 3D? (Update)
3D-News Posted: Saturday, September 28, 2002 (9:37 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
In addition to the companies mentioned in the previous News Item, we've tracked down another 3D-related company: Hall 14.2 / Booth K8: Mechanische Weberei German Projection Screen manufacturer 'mechanische Weberei' runs a 3D-projection, using a Rollei Projector of the MSC series. The whole system is contained in a big box, containing the projector and screen. Three round "portholes" are available to view the image. Polarizing filters are attached to the left and right half of the portholes.

	PHOTOKINA: Where to find 3D?
3D-News Posted: Thursday, September 26, 2002 (14:42 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
If you are planning to come to Photokina, there are a couple of companies to visit. Below is a quick overview of some of the companies offering stereoscopic products and/or services. Hall 1.1 / Booth D 50: Poly Optics Company from Hong Kong, selling a 4-lensed 35mm camera. Not intended for stereo photography. Hall 1.2 / Booth F21 & G20: Pentax Some of their latest digital cameras have a built-in 3D-mode. The cameras come complete with a foldable stereo viewer Hall 2.1 / Booth K20: Seagull Digital & Image Col., Ltd. Displaying a multi-lensed camera for 120 roll-film. Intended for lenticular stereo. Hall 3.1 / Booth L61: Loreo Asia Ltd. Manufacturer of the Loreo 3D Camera Hall 3.1 / Booth M61: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Stereoskopie (DGS) German 3D-Club showing equipment and slides Hall 3.1 / Booth P35: Vastfame This company from Hong Kong offers a foldable paper stereo viewer Hall 3.1 / Booth P54: EDU-Toys German company selling the Loreo Camera Hall 9.1 / Booth B21: Colour Town HK This company from Hong Kong takes any 2D Photo, converts it to 3D, prints it on a color printer and creates a 3D-view within less than 5 minutes. Hall 9.1 / Booth K30A: Doli Shanghai This company has a coin-operated stereo viewer on display. Unfortunately, it was damaged. Hall 10.1 / Booth K53: HumanEyes Company from Israel offering a "new" lenticular process Hall 10.2 / Booth U38A: Dr. Gilde System-Kamera-Technologie GmbH Manufacturer of medium format (stereo) camera. Also offers a new macro version. Hall 10.2 / Booth V52: Dr. Clauss Bild- und Datentechnik GmbH Manufacurer of a digital panoramic camera system, suitable to take stereo images. Hall 14.1 / Booth B10: Christie Digital Systems Inc. They show field-sequential stereo images via video-projection, using StereoGraphics LCD shutter glasses. Hall 14.1 / Booth F60: Lang Audio & Medientechnik More 3D Video projection, using two video projectors, polarizing filters and a silver-screen. Hall 14.1 / Booth H80: Mixed Media Cube A 3D-back-projection is being shown, using polarized filters. Hall 14.2 / Booth P30: Cyviz AS Another 3D back-projection, using polarizing filters. The field-sequential video signal is being slit up via a special 3D-converter and fed into two video projectors. Hall 14.2 / Booth P51: 4D Vision This German company produces 3D-Displays in various sizes. No 3D glasses are necessary. Hall 14.2 / Booth R10 & Q11: Kindermann A 3D Back-projection system is being shown. There's also a portable solution, using two video projectors with polarizing filters, all in one box. The 3D-technology is supplied by the German company 'Digital Image'. These are the companies tracked down so far. Updates will be published if necessary. If you wish to get in touch with the Stereoscopy.com Webmaster at the trade-fair, give him a ring at +49 (172) 7509611 (mobile)

	PHOTOKINA: Digital Stereoscopic Panorama Camera
3D-News Posted: Thursday, September 26, 2002 (8:51 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Dr. Clauss Bild- und Datentechnik GmbH of Zwoenitz, Germany, shows it digital fullc-ircle panorama camera at Photokona in Cologne. The camera rotates on a tripod around its vertical axis and scannes everything it can see. The existing panorama is digitized and stored in vertical lines. The result of the camera's rotation is a projection of the entire surrounding area on a imaginary cylinder. Taking off the cylinder area it would be presented a distorted picture instead of the usual one of planar central projections. By means of a special software, the pictures are rectified mathematically. Stereo Images A special rotating mirror.device is located in front of the line-scanning device. To take stereo images, the mirror is first being rotated to the "L" position and the first (left) image is being scanned. Then the mirror has to be rotated to the "R" position to take the right-eye view. Both views can be combined with the enclosed software. Either red/green or red/blue anaglyphs can be created, as well as field-sequential views. The price of the camera and all necessary software and accessories is approximately 5,000 Euro, plus tax (within the European Union). Technical Data Lens Fixed Focus f = 13 mm (vertical angle 90°) Motor shutter 1: (2,8 ... 16) Angle of inclination –30° ... +50° in 10° steps Optical Sensor CCD-Linear Sensor 2 lines G / R+B per 2048 pixel Active length of a line: 28,7 Exposure time: 1/500 ... ¼ s Colour depth: 24 bit RGB Automatical / manual exposure regulation Automatical correction of the reproduction geometry and transformation into universal sphere coordinates Rotary Drive Motor over stepwheel-gear, broken 8.333 steps per circle Automatic hysterese-balancing out Frequency of steps electronically controlled Recording time per full-circle image: 20 s ... 30 min Tripod Thread 1,4''/20 TPI  Spirit level for horizontal adjustment Support for wires as substructure Dimensions / Weight diameter 80 mm x height 230 mm approx. 800 grams More information is available on-line at http://www.dr-clauss.de

	PHOTOKINA: New Products from Loreo
3D-News Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2002 (13:06 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Hong Kong-based Camera manufacturer Loreo shows several new 3D-Products at Photokina Trade Fair in Cologne, Germany. Loreo 3D Lens In a Cap The Loreo 3D cap turns an SLR into a 3D camera. SLR cameras have accurate viewing, exposure control and a wide range of shutter speeds. Some SLRs have auto TTL flash. With the Loreo 3D cap, all these features are harnessed to produce excellent 3D prints. The processed 3D prints are ready for immediate viewing with Loreo deluxe or mini viewers. For the technically minded the 3D cap has a matched pair of focusing lenses, focusing range from one meter (3 ft.) to infinity. F/11 lenses, focal length 35 mm. The 3D cap is a brand new design. It forms a 3D effect by transposing two images, but without the keystone imperfection associated with beam splitters designed in the 1950's for SLR cameras. It is available for the following lens-mounts: EOS, N, OM, PK. Loreo Stereo Camera MKII This is a major upgrade of the popular Loreo Stereo Photokit. Glass Mirror reflectors and an Aspheric Lens give sharper photos. Image Pitch has been adjusted for even easier 3D fusion, particularly with 4R prints. New Mini viewers work well with images from the MKII Aspheric Lens. The F-stop has been opened up from 2.2 mm to 2.5 mm diameter and the shutter has been adjusted from 1/90th of a second to 1/60th of a second for brighter photos under dull conditions. The new Beam Splitter housing eliminates internal reflection. Loreo 321 Mono-Stereo Camera The Loreo 321 is a multi-purpose 3D camera. This innovative camera, the first of its kind, makes serious stereo photography as easy as flipping a switch. A patented mono-stereo lens and viewer system allows faithful reproduction of stereo images without distortion or eyestrain. Standard 35 mm film takes both ordinary and 3D Photographs. The 3D-mode can be switched on or off at any frame. Negatives are completely compatible with regular 1-hour processing. A 3D viewer is part of the package.

	San Francisco Earthquake 3D Show Sept. 24
3D-News Posted: Monday, September 23, 2002 (5:46 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Just after 5 am on April 18, 1906, an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale ripped through sleeping San Francisco, toppling buildings, exploding gas mains, and trapping thousands of citizens beneath tons of stone, broken wood, and twisted metal.  Herds of cattle stampeded madly through the streets.  The air reverberated with the panicked screams of victims.  Then came the fires...You are invited to experience this great earthquake with a special program that features rare 3D photographs of the earthquake and turn-of-the-century San Francisco projected in eye-popping 3-D. The narrator for this presentation is California historian and artist Robert Serrano.  He will detail life in San Francisco in the early 20th century, exploring the earthquake and its effects on the city and its residnets.  Audience members will be provided with Polaroid 3D glasses for this show produced by Christopher Perry, producer of the Desert Silent Film Series.  Free Admission!  Tuesday, September 24 at 7 PM at the Rancho Mirage library in Rancho Mirage, CA.  It is in the Rancho Mirage shopping center at Bob Hope and Hwy 111.  Phone +1 (760) 341-7323.

	PENTAX Expands Digital Lineup With Affordably Priced And Full Featured Optio 330GS Compact Digital Zoom Camera
3D-News Posted: Thursday, September 19, 2002 (6:43 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
PENTAX U.S.A., Inc. expands its digital camera line with the affordably priced and full featured Optio 330GS digital camera. This stylish compact digital camera delivers sharp, satisfying images, yet remains simple and fun to use. The Optio 330GS offers the digital clarity of 3.2 effective megapixels and provides high-quality images. With compact dimensions of just 4.0" (103.5mm) x 2.5"(63.5mm) x 1.5" (42mm) (width x height x depth) and a weight of only 6.3 oz. (180g), the Optio 330GS is truly convenient. Such compact dimensions are combined with a design that lends a sense of style and feels comfortable in the hand. The sophisticated design is further enhanced with a silver casing and is embossed with the gold Optio logo on the grip. The Optio 330GS delivers precise images with an impressive level of quality that extends beyond mere snapshots. Such quality begins with accurate recordings on a 1/2.7-inch CCD. Data is then converted into digital form through use of the 12-bit A/D converter. Then, through the incorporation of advanced image processing technology, images are enhanced with a greater dynamic range, finer gradation, and high-resolution for overall high-quality. The high-performance 3X zoom lens of the Optio 330GS is equivalent to a 38-114mm lens in 35mm format and combines high quality and high resolution with a low level of image distortion that is seldom possible within such compact proportions. For even further convenience, the zoom lens is easily operated with a simple lever that allows for swift composition. Simple, stress-free operation is achieved through the incorporation of a newly developed image processing circuit. Images can be played back easily with a touch of the central "OK" button on the handy four-way controller. The camera is always ready for shooting, even during the playback of images. For a higher level of versatility, the Optio 330GS offers a range of shooting modes. Simply turn the well-proportioned mode dial and select from Standard, Picture, Night Scene, and Movie, as well as 3D image modes. The Optio 330GS even boasts individual buttons for frequently used functions in the composition and playback of images. The Optio 330GS offers a 180 degrees swing-out screen which has a high-resolution 1.6-inch LCD monitor to greatly assist with composition. The same handy screen can also be used to check the results after you've taken the shot, so you know when you need to recompose and shoot again. With an innovative stereoscopic shooting mode, the Optio 330GS produces images that have a genuine sense of depth and perspective when seen through the special viewer provided. The Optio 330GS offers a selection of seven picture modes, which prepares you for a plethora of different situations and circumstances. Simply select from Landscape, Close-up, Portrait, Self-portrait, Soft, Surf & Snow, and Sunset modes on the LCD monitor and allow the Optio 330GS to automatically control exposure, focus, and white balance to achieve the optimum results for each given situation. Thanks to compatibility with the USB Mass Storage Class, the Optio 330GS is able to transfer photographic data direct to PCs via the USB cable provided. Such convenience provides tremendous versatility as photos can be easily imported into a wide range of common applications. The Optio 330GS comes with a CD-ROM. This CD contains the handy USB driver as well as the popular ACDSee image viewing/management software program (compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems).

	X3D Technologies Wins "Best New Technology" Award
3D-News Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2002 (14:21 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
X3D Technologies Corporation announced today that it has received the "Best New Technology" award at the RetailVison Fall 2002 show in Beverly Hills, California. The company brought home top honors for its X3D (eXtreme Three Dimensional) system, the world’s first technology that transforms TV broadcasts, videos, and games in realtime from 2D to 3D on any PC with a CRT monitor. X3D images appear to float in space in and outside of the screen, pushing the boundaries of experiences on the Internet in the areas of education, entertainment and gaming. "X3D is proud to have received this powerful acknowledgement of our software product," said Elliot Klein, CEO of X3D Technologies. "To have been singled out for the best technology award underscores the tremendous potential of the X3D system." The award, bestowed at a gala awards ceremony at the Century Plaza Hotel and Spa on Thursday, September 12th, 2002, recognizes companies whose products lead the industry. A panel of key retail executives and buyers chooses the winners. The awards are considered among the most esteemed in the consumer software industry. The X3D system, starting at $99, contains everything required to convert 2D into eXtreme 3D, including wire and wireless glasses, receiver, connecting cords and infrared transmitter, install system software, TV & DVD conversion software. X3D applications include everything from video games that totally immerse users in a 3D fantasy world to eCommerce solutions that leverage the IBM WebSphere platform to present products as they are seen in the showroom. For more information, go to www.3dworld.com

	SGI Reality Center Secures Drug Discovery Collaboration for AstraZeneca
3D-News Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2002 (7:18 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
SGI Visualization Technologies to Power Molecular Modeling and Computational Chemistry at International Pharmaceutical Giant Discovering innovative, effective medicines has just become substantially easier and faster for AstraZeneca, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, with the purchase of an SGI® Reality Center(TM) facility for its research and development lab in Sodertalje, Sweden. The facility's new immersive visualization capabilities will empower a variety of drug discovery research projects, with molecular modeling and computational chemistry at the top of the list. AstraZeneca chose SGI Reality Center facility for its high-performance graphics and stereoscopic visualization, as well as the advantages inherent in having researchers working together as a group in front of a large-scale display system -- all of which are important aspects in the drug discovery process. In fact, group decision making and visualization of very large chemical and biological data sets are increasingly important in discovery research. The need to make better decisions earlier is a strong force behind this industry trend. The installation encompasses a one-pipe, two-channel SGI® Onyx® 300 visualization system with InfiniteReality3(TM) graphics, one LCD and two CRT projectors, and a 15x7-foot (4500x2000 mm) back-projected screen. Such SGI Reality Center technologies create an advanced group decision-making environment for enhanced uses of tools created by leading software vendors such as Tripos, Inc. For example, Tripos' highly regarded SYBYL® software platform includes MOLCAD(TM), an application that efficiently maps and provides visualization of a molecule's key surface properties. Together, SGI and Tripos have optimized these technologies to meet AstraZeneca's requirements for the Reality Center facility. "Following the purchase of an SGI Reality Center facility one year ago for our research and development site in Molndal, Sweden, our Sodertalje lab asked SGI to propose a solution for an additional visualization facility, and we worked together on an assessment study," said AstraZeneca Project Leader Sven Hellberg. "The SGI Reality Center facility offers a high level of interactivity with very large visual data sets, such as large molecules, and will greatly enhance the speed of the decision-making process between our cross-collaborative scientific teams." The company's portfolio includes many world leaders for treating cancer (Casodex® and Arimidex®), gastrointestinal disease (Nexium®), asthma (Symbicort®), hypertension (Atacand®), migraines (Zomig®) and schizophrenia (Seroquel®). With four new high-potential medicines due for launch in 2002 and 2003 -- two cardiovascular therapies and two cancer treatments -- AstraZeneca is examining the possibility of expanding the SGI Reality Center technologies for future cross-geography and/or cross-site collaboration. "AstraZeneca's purchase of a second SGI Reality Center facility will enable its scientists to continue their groundbreaking drug discoveries, and we look forward to helping them move into the realm of long-distance collaboration," noted SGI's Chodi McReynolds, director, Industry Marketing, Sciences. "SGI Reality Center technologies deliver the highest levels of realism, image quality and performance available today," added SGI Region Manager Mark J.A. Miller, based in Oslo, Norway. "Scientists, researchers and engineers around the world are finding that, with an SGI Reality Center facility, they are immersed in a virtual environment, allowing exploration, understanding and communication about their data in ways not possible in the physical world. This approach helps our customers to arrive at better decisions in less time, providing enormous cost savings while enhancing productivity." SGI Professional Services Sweden served as project manager, designing a cost-effective solution that addressed AstraZeneca's requests in such areas as room design and configuration of the Reality Center facility. The result is an immersive environment that is well ahead of the state of the art in pharmaceutical applications. SGI Professional Services specializes in providing industry-specific consulting, expert technology services and ongoing system support. SGI Reality Center technologies will be demonstrated at an SGI Sciences Visualization Summit to be hosted in Paris, February 3-5. For further information about Reality Center facilities, visit www.sgi.com/realitycenter. SGI, which has made a long-term commitment to and has been a leader in the life sciences community for more than 15 years, delivers computational solutions for life and chemical sciences discovery research organizations in pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology, academic and national labs. For further details, visit www.sgi.com/industries/sciences/chembio/ .

	Razor3D Introduces Producer 3D Kit
3D-News Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2002 (7:13 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Camcorder Attachment Enables Home Video Enthusiasts to Produce Their Own 3D Movies Razor3D (http://www.razor3d.com ), a leader in 3D and virtual reality entertainment products, introduced the Producer 3D Kit. By simply attaching the unique accessory to nearly any camcorder, home video enthusiasts can now film movies in realistic stereoscopic 3D. The Producer 3D Kit accessory uses a proprietary, patented process that allows two distinct views to enter a camcorder. Through the use of a single control, this process enables the videographer to film subjects in true stereoscopic 3D images. The accessory does not affect the normal use of the camcorder to which it is attached. Auto focus, exposure, zoom and white balance camera functions are performed as usual. Consumers use the 3D Video Viewing System included in the Producer 3D Kit to view videos on a television. "This is the ideal product for home movie enthusiasts who want to take their films to the next level," said Ryan Oto, Marketing Director of Razor3D. "Weddings, vacations, sporting and other events all take on an added dimension with the Producer 3D Kit." Availability and Pricing The Producer 3D Kit is now available at http://www.razor3d.com . The $249.99 retail price includes: 3D recording accessory; 3D Video Viewing System; adapters and instructions; and three 3D DVDs of movies originally released in IMAX® theaters.

	Barco Galaxy WARP: Barco integrates Real-Time Geometry Distortion into Active-Stereo DLP(tm) Projector
3D-News Posted: Thursday, September 12, 2002 (13:33 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
After the introduction of integrated geometry distortion in its LCD projectors SIM6 (SXGA) and SIM6 ultra (UXGA), Barco introduces the Barco Galaxy WARP, a 5,000 ANSI lumen projector that can perform real-time geometry distortion at double refresh rates (active stereo). Its high processing power and ease-of-use, combined with the high brightness and proven picture quality of the Galaxy, make the Galaxy WARP ideally suited for the most demanding stereo applications. Barco Galaxy WARP immersed show visitors at SGI Siggraph booth At this year's Siggraph exhibition (San Antonio, Texas), a lot of visitors were most impressed by the clarity and picture quality of the three-channel, active-stereo Barco Galaxy WARP display at the SGI booth, which demonstrated Barco's state-of-the-art built-in geometry predistortion technology. "The three Barco Galaxy WARP stereo DLP projectors delivered one smooth, high-resolution image on a sweeping, 30-foot by 12-foot curved ACTAD Barco screen, allowing visitors to see detailed results in an impressive immersive, big-picture context," says SGI Reality Center Marketing Manager Afshad M. Mistri. "The professional quality and multiscreen stereo capabilities of the Barco Galaxy WARP projection system enabled SGI to seamlessly integrate complex data from diverse sources into a rich, ultrarealistic decision-making environment." By predistorting the image inside the projector using Barco's proprietary integrated WARP, a correct geometry can be achieved on a wide variety of curved-screen applications without requiring any additional computational power on the image generator's side. The close integration of Barco's pre-distortion technology into the pixel map processor guarantees that intermediate signal conversions are reduced to a minimum and that processing delays are excluded. Furthermore, through the use of proprietary bicubic interpolation algorithms, unprecedented picture quality, combining crisp detail and smoothness, is obtained. "Using the intuitive user interface, bows can be set up and modified in a flash, giving the user real-time access to the distortion characteristics. To fine-tune the image, the user can drag the individual grid points to their desired locations", says Johan Blondelle, Product Manager at Barco. The Galaxy WARP offers active stereo at SXGA up to 110 Hz, as well as passive stereo capabilities with DMD(tm) optimized polarizers for large-venue passive 3D projection. An impressive 205 MHz A/D conversion bandwidth ensures compatibility with high resolution and high refresh rate sources. In addition to this unequalled versatility, the Galaxy WARP has a high contrast ratio of 500:1, and a dedicated lens range that is optimized for extreme resolution and accurate geometry. Its superior optics, which include wide throw ratio range, motorized shift range, and built-in Scheimpflug correction, together with Barco's proprietary multichannel optimization technologies (Optical and Electronic Soft Edge Matching, Constant Light Output), result in an extremely high level of flexibility in installations.

	The power of a complete stereo 3D visionarium in a box
3D-News Posted: Thursday, September 12, 2002 (9:08 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Cyviz AS, the successful makers of the worlds first Stereo 3D Converters, has released a new exciting solution; the xpo.M3 bundle The xpo.M3 bundle gives you a complete stereoscopic visualization in a portable package. Maximum input resolution is 1280 x 1024 (native 1024 x 768), and the xpo.2 accepts any source such as SGI, SUN, HP or PC with a frame sequential stereo signal. For more info please visit www.cyviz.com

	Third Dimension Society International Exhibition 2002 Results, (PSA Exhibition)
3D-News Posted: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 (10:12 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
First - Gull & Lighthose - Dennis Hanser USA Second - Joanne No.1 -Don Wratten UK Third - Waiting for his solo - Rob. Bloomberg USA Contemporary Award - Wire Frame - Peter Hoole UK (Print) Human Beings Award - By the Lily Pond - Don Wratten UK Best Use of Stereo Award - Stalactite Refelections - Geoff Peters USA Photojournalism Award - Four-Alarm Fire No.7 - M-F Brasquies USA Humour Award -Lemon Aid Making - Valeria Sardy USA Natural History Award - Shelf Fungus No. 1 - Dennis Hanser USA Certificates of Merit:- Eisberge - Bruno Braun Germany Kreuzspinne Mit Beute - Bruno Braun Germany Tagphauenauge - Bruno Braun Germany Perfect Camouflage - Gunther Gerlich Austrai Digitalis - Klaus Kemper Germany The Water Slot - David Kesner USA Roo Tail - Ray Moxon Australia I Close My Eyes - Peter Schnehagen Germany Playfull - Al Sieg USA New York Skyline - Mitchell Walker USA Schwebfliege in Sonnenblume - Egon Weiss Germany Honourable Mentions:- Caretaker, Ta Prohm - Rob Bloomberg USA Seifenblasen - Walter Dubronnier Germany Full Steam Ahead - Joe Hohmann Germany Close Start - Andrew Read Australia Site Ardente - Rolf-Joachim Skolaster Belgium Leap of Faith - Phil Steinman UAS Snow Scene - Bill Walmsley UK Villnoss Tal Prof Dr. Werner Weiser Germany Moewen Fuet Terung - Egon Weiss Germany

	3D Slide Projector Software available for Download
3D-News Posted: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 (4:16 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
This freeware software by Takashi Sekitani for creating your 3D slide show runs on a Windows computer. It can make 3D images for anaglyphs or for interleave images or for dual projectors from your Left & Right stereo images taken by your digital cameras or scanner, and it can sync wav sounds. All order of your slides show and sounds are indicated by 'order.txt' file at the same folder of this software. See http://stereoscopy.com/downloads for more details.

	Stereoscopy.com 3D-News to report live from Photokina 2002
3D-News Posted: Saturday, September 7, 2002 (6:31 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Stereoscopy.com Webmaster and 3D-News Editor Alexander Klein will be reporting live from Photokina 2002 in Cologne, Germany. From 25th to 30th September 2002, photokina Cologne will set a milestone in its 52-year history by offering the highest ranking range of products ever. Without exception, all of the major companies from the global photographic and imaging sector will be present in Cologne - in some cases with substantially larger stands than previously. All aspects of the new boundless world of images will be presented by an expanded range of products, more offerings for the public and an attractive support programme. Almost 1,600 suppliers from 47 countries will be displaying their new products on 220,000 sq. metres of hall space. Around 160,000 visitors - including professional users, dealers and consumers from all continents - are expected to attend the fair. In addition to a comprehensive range of products and services, photokina will offer visitors a wealth of knowledge presented at subject-specific congresses and symposia, specialist centres with opportunities to engage in communication and gather information, special shows and action centres providing practical help and solutions to specific problems, the "Visual Gallery" and other photographic exhibitions focusing on the emotional experience, and, last but not least, the Young Imaging Event, where young people in particular will be able to enjoy photo fun and edutainment. Stereoscopy.com will keep you posted throughout Photokina about the latest finds and trends in stereoscopic imaging.

	IMAX Signs Agreement to Build First IMAX(R) Theatre in Russia
3D-News Posted: Friday, September 6, 2002 (14:17 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
IMAX Theatre System to Open in Moscow in 2003 IMAX Corporation, the world leader in large format entertainment technology and cinematic experience, announced that it has signed an agreement with BFC Media Limited for a state-of-the-art IMAX(R) theatre to be located in Moscow, Russia. This new IMAX theatre will form part of the largest shopping centre yet to be built in Moscow. The centre, operated by Ramenka, the leading shopping centre operator in Moscow, will be located next to the M10 Road, Moscow's most important thoroughfare running to St. Petersburg. The Moscow IMAX Theatre is expected to open in January 2003. "We are very happy to partner with BFC Media to bring the world's most advanced and immersive cinematic experience to Russia," said IMAX Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "We are excited to add Russia, such a unique and important market, to the expanding number of countries to have an IMAX theatre. Introducing The IMAX Experience(R) to Russia, with its vast territory, is an important milestone in our strategy to expand IMAX across the world." "We are thrilled to be introducing the first IMAX theatre to Russia," said BFC Media spokesperson Oksana Zinovieva. "Russia, with its great cinematographic history, now has an exploding movie-going population. We believe that this IMAX theatre, with its mix of both commercially-oriented films and educational programming, is the perfect fit for audiences in Moscow and throughout all of Russia." "Historically, the successful launch of an IMAX theatre in a market has led to the increased demand for more IMAX theatres in other markets of the same region, as demonstrated by our Eastern European theatres -- where the success of the IMAX theatre in Warsaw led to the opening of three additional theatres in the region," added Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler. "Clearly Moscow is the ideal city to open our first IMAX theatre in Russia." The IMAX theatre, capable of showing classic IMAX 2D films as well as exciting new IMAX(R) 3D films such as IMAX's SPACE STATION, launched this spring and narrated by Tom Cruise, will be situated in the new 68,000 square meter Ramstore shopping center. Unrivalled in Russia, this Western-style mall will incorporate, in addition to the new IMAX theatre, numerous food courts, a 4-screen mini-plex cinema, hypomarket, ice-skating rink and two floors of electrical goods and retail fashion outlets.

	IMAX's Space Station Blasts Past $25 Million
3D-News Posted: Friday, September 6, 2002 (14:07 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
Space Film Reaches Key Milestone Faster Than Any IMAX(R) 3D Film Earning $27,000,000 at the Box Office in Just 19 Weeks of Release SPACE STATION, the first-ever IMAX(R)3D space film, continues to reach new heights, recently becoming the fastest grossing IMAX 3D film in history, amassing $27 million in just 19 weeks of release at 83 IMAX(R) theatres throughout the world. For the past 17 weeks, SPACE STATION has been one of the top 20 highest-grossing films in North America. "We are extremely pleased with the performance of SPACE STATION," said IMAX Co-CEO's Bradley J. Wechsler and Richard L. Gelfond. "For the past 20 years, IMAX space films have played an integral part in the evolution of the large-format industry. The strong box office results of this remarkable film demonstrate the true potential of the IMAX theatre network and the power of IMAX 3D as a cinematic experience." "This is another great chapter in IMAX's on-going chronicle of space exploration, " added Greg Foster, IMAX's President of Filmed Entertainment. "By capturing one of the most advanced engineering feats of our times and combining it with the star power of Tom Cruise and the innovative IMAX 3D technology, SPACE STATION provides our audiences with both the educational and entertainment value they have grown to expect from the IMAX brand." Produced by IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq: IMAX; TSX:IMX), presented by Lockheed Martin Corporation in cooperation with the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) and narrated by Tom Cruise, SPACE STATION documents one of the most important accomplishments by NASA since landing a man on the moon -- the on-orbit construction of the International Space Station. About the film: Early in 1997, the IMAX space production team began work on SPACE STATION, which stars astronauts and cosmonauts from the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia and Europe. With the guidance of producer-director Toni Myers and consulting producer Graeme Ferguson, the men and women of the International Space Station used specially designed IMAX 3D space cameras to capture the excitement and unprecedented challenges they experienced in building the world's first international scientific research outpost in space. Showing on 83 screens worldwide, SPACE STATION is the fifth film about space to come out of the 20-year relationship between IMAX Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, NASA and The Smithsonian Institution. The others include; THE DREAM IS ALIVE (1985), BLUE PLANET (1990), DESTINY IN SPACE (1994) and MISSION TO MIR (1997).

	9th DGS International Stereo Exhibition
3D-News Posted: Friday, September 6, 2002 (14:03 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
If you wish to participate and have not sent in your Stereo Slide Entries for "DGS International Stereo Exhibition", please do so immediately! Closing date is on Saturday, September 14th, with judging on September 21st. If your Slides arrive by Friday, September 20th, they will still be entered. If you have no entry form, you will find it at the PSA Stereo Division web site: http://members.aol.com/psastereo and also at the DGS-Hamburg web site: http://www.dgs-hamburg.de ( look for "DGS International => Exhibition (E)" ) The referenced sites have Acrobat pdf files. The Organisers are looking forward to seeing your entry in the Exhibition, don't miss your participation this year!

	Obituary: William C. Shaw, Co-Founder of IMAX Corporation
3D-News Posted: Thursday, September 5, 2002 (6:11 UTC) | Posted By: Webmaster
William C. Shaw, one of the founders of IMAX Corporation, died on Saturday, August 31 at age 73. Shaw died in a Toronto hospital after suffering complications from a heart attack. Shaw joined Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor and Robert Kerr in 1968 to design and develop the IMAX projection system. The engineer responsible for the development of the original system, Shaw also led the engineering team which subsequently developed IMAX Dome (OMNIMAX (R)), IMAX 3D, IMAX Solido(R), IMAX Magic Carpet(R) and IMAX HD. Shaw had a number of patents to his credit relating to the development of the rolling loop mechanism fundamental to the IMAX system as well as to subsequent developments for IMAX projectors, cameras and peripherals. IMAX Co-CEOs Rich Gelfond and Brad Wechsler said, "We will miss Bill's intellect, good humor and friendship. We were always grateful for the key role he played in every aspect of the life of the Company, from the invention of the technology that started an entire industry, through to our acquisition of IMAX." In 1985, Shaw won the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers' John Grierson Medal. In 1986, on behalf of IMAX, he accepted a Scientific and Engineering Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and in 1997 he attended the ceremonies in Los Angeles as IMAX accepted its Oscar(R) statuette for Scientific and Technical Achievements. In 1988, he was honoured with a Gold Medal from the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario (APEO). In 1998, Shaw was awarded the Leonardo da Vinci Award by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Shaw is survived by his wife Barbra, daughter Cami Kucera, son Scott Shaw, grandson Daniel Kucera, brother John Shaw and sisters Isabel Pullen and Marjorie Shaw.
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