Computer Graphics Laboratory

Alternating Attention in Continuous Stereoscopic Depth

S. Poulakos, G. Roethlin, A. Schwaninger, A. Smolic, M. Gross

Proceedings of the ACM Symposium on Applied Perception (Vancouver, Canada, August 8-9, 2014), pp. 59-66

Abstract

The decoupling of eye vergence and accommodation (V/A) has been found to negatively impact depth interpretation, visual comfort and fatigue. In this paper, we explore a hypothesis that placement of visual cues within a scene can assist a viewer in the process of maintaining the V/A decoupling. This is demonstrated through the use of a continuous depth plane that connects spatially distinct scene elements. Our experimental design enables us to make the following three contributions: (1) We show that a continuous depth element can improve the time it takes to transition visual attention in depth. (2) We observe that the subjective assessment of fatigue emerges before we detect a quantitative decline in performance. (3) We aim to motivate that stereoscopic 3D content creators may learn scene composition, framing and montage from visual psychophysics.

Overview

Figure 1: Visualization of different forms of the two-shot. Actor positions are fixed in depth. (A) Represents an over-the-shoulder shot without depth continuity. Insets (B-D) represent potential ways to provide depth continuity.

The decoupling of eye vergence and accommodation (V/A) has been found to negatively impact depth interpretation, visual comfort and fatigue. In this paper, we explore a hypothesis that placement of visual cues within a scene can assist a viewer in the process of maintaining the V/A decoupling. This is demonstrated through the use of a continuous depth plane that connects spatially distinct scene elements. Our experimental design enables us to make the following three contributions: (1) We show that a continuous depth element can improve the time it takes to transition visual attention in depth. (2) We observe that the subjective assessment of fatigue emerges before we detect a quantitative decline in performance. (3) We aim to motivate that stereoscopic 3D content creators may learn scene composition, framing and montage from visual psychophysics.

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