Acer has introduced SpatialLabs, a collection of stereoscopic 3D experiences backed by superior optical solutions and display and sensory technologies.
According to Acer, content “floats” in front of the screen, allowing producers to inspect their work in real-time and 360 degrees without the use of special glasses.
For Unreal Engine developers interested in presenting ideas with SpatialLabs, Acer recently launched the SpatialLabs Developer Program. Participants will get a ConceptD SpatialLabs prototype notebook, which will be the first instantiation of the new experience.
SpatialLabs combines an eye-tracking stereo camera, a stereoscopic 3D display, and real-time rendering technologies to give designers a new way to engage with their work. It was first unveiled on a ConceptD notebook.
The eye-tracking solution includes a stereo camera positioned on top of the device that measures the position and movement of the user’s head and eyes. The display of the ConceptD SpatialLabs prototype notebook, which will be given to developer program participants, is made up of a UHD 2D panel with a liquid crystal lenticular lens optically fused on top of it, providing an unusual module that can flip between 2D and stereoscopic 3D views.
This permits graphics processing technology to present a separate image to each viewer’s eyes, resulting in a stereoscopic 3D impression that allows the material to float in front of the screen. Furthermore, real-time rendering technologies enable artists to engage with 3D models while using SpatialLabs Experience Center programs to review their creations in real-time, improve the design workflow, and exhibit interactive and immersive projects in stereoscopic 3D.
Meanwhile, the display on the ConceptD SpatialLabs prototype laptop is set to the 2D mode by default, allowing it to be used as a regular notebook computer. The stereoscopic 3D mode will be turned on automatically when you start applications in the SpatialLabs Experience Center.
The SpatialLabs Experience Center is a launcher that includes a lesson on how to use the technology, multiple application shortcuts, and application and add-on installers. The following are some of these applications:
• SpatialLabs Model Viewer – A tool that enables a user to import files in all major 3D file formats and present them in stereoscopic 3D. While in the model viewer, the information generated about the head position is incorporated into the displayed 3D model. For example, moving slightly to the left or right will rotate the 3D model in the opposite direction, as if a user had taken a step to either side of the object. All of this happens in real-time.
• SpatialLabs Go – A solution for rendering side-by-side full-screen content into stereoscopic 3D. For example, after leveraging Blender to set a window into a side-by-side full-screen view, designers can use SpatialLabs Go to transfer it into stereoscopic 3D.
• PiStage for Maya – The middleware PiStage functions as a tool that allows the time-consuming back-and-forth rendering pipeline to be skipped, giving users the flexibility to create or edit the content on an extended 2D monitor and view any changes made in stereoscopic 3D in real-time, with SpatialLabs.
• SpatialLabs Player – A native player for presenting side-by-side video in stereoscopic 3D.
Unreal Engine’s Lead of Enterprise Business Development, John Buzzell, said, “Our team is enthusiastic about the potential with the new ConceptD SpatialLabs prototype notebook and their SpatialLabs Developer Program.” “When you mix creative information and applications with cutting-edge visualization, you get an immersive, accessible, and engaging experience.”
Acer will also supply those accepted into the program with a ConceptD SpatialLabs prototype notebook for three months at no cost, including freight. Acer also stated that selected applicants could use the donated device to construct Unreal Engine projects to allow Acer to demo and showcase these project(s) for a year.
It’s worth noting that user feedback and an interview will be obtained for objectives such as product development during the creation process.
Interested applicants should use this link to register. After the application deadline of June 30, 2021, successful applicants will be contacted.