Stereoscopic 3D geometric distortions analyzed from the viewer’s point of view

Stereoscopic 3D (S3D) geometric distortions can be introduced by mismatches among image capture, display, and viewing configurations. In previous work of S3D geometric models, geometric distortions have been analyzed from a third-person perspective based on the binocular depth cue (i.e., binocular disparity). A third-person perspective is different from what the viewer sees since monocular depth cues (e.g., linear perspective, occlusion, and shadows) from different perspectives are different. However, depth perception in a 3D space involves both monocular and binocular depth cues. Geometric distortions that are solely predicted by the binocular depth cue cannot describe what a viewer really perceives. In this paper, we combine geometric models and retinal disparity models to analyze geometric distortions from the viewer’s perspective where both monocular and binocular depth cues are considered. Results show that binocular and monocular depth-cue conflicts in a geometrically distorted S3D space. Moreover, user-initiated head translations averting from the optimal viewing position in conventional S3D displays can also introduce geometric distortions, which are inconsistent with our natural 3D viewing condition. The inconsistency of depth cues in a dynamic scene may be a source of visually induced motions sickness.