3D monitors look to be coming soon

How will this effect the web and design

[korkus2000]

[news.zdnet.co.uk...]

The monitors will let people see high-resolution 3D images or run 3D programs without using special glasses or additional software. For example, bodies and bullets appear to fly all over the place in a version of the popular game "Quake" that has been adjusted to work on Sharp's 3D monitors.

This technology seems to be gaining some steam. Right now they have things like quake using the 3D technology, which they say only took a day to implement. They are expecting to rollout these things in 2003. It is the next frontier for a graphic artist. How will this effect the future of visual design. We have really been stuck in a 2d world.

I know at first it will be like watching a bad 3D movie. People will have stuff come out of the screen. I am predicting a Flash like beginning, where people will use it because its cool but not really weave it into the overall goal of the project.

They say that the users can turn off the 3D capability. We will have to see if it is easy to do or a big pain. It really interest me because it really is a huge step. I wonder what every one else thinks about how this will effect the Internet and graphic design as a whole.

[jackofalltrades]

pop-out ads? ;)

[jackofalltrades]

Serious thought tho:

I think they will just develop a browser with a 3D interface that can display a 2D page.

Perhaps have a cube that you could spin and display a different page on each face.

The full potential of the technology will be met by entertainment (video games, animations) and websites will become even more of a solely informational medium.

I think there would be the same concerns in deleloping websites for this technology as there are for other new technologies - bandwidth, compatibility, etc.

Video games are a different kettle of fish - the software is on the disk that the user installs - websites dont have that luxury.

I do think advertisers will have a field day though.

IMHO

JOAT :)

[korkus2000]

I think we will have a completely new set of usability rules. Better the technology the more the confusion. But I think it will be able to solve old problems. I think programs like Flash will integrate it so the web will have the ability to "cash in" on the technology.

I think you are right about advertising. It will reach an entirely new level of annoyance.

[jackofalltrades]

It would be interesting if this could be incorpated into touchscreen technology - from an accessability point of view.

Ie, remove the need for mouse and keyboard for those who have difficulty usng them.

A virtual interface could be customised so much more easily.

[edit_g]

I remember someone here saying that the only thing more annoying than flash ads that cover the whole page and don't have a close button would be if advertisers could actually reach out of the screen and poke you in the eye... Now they will be one step closer...

[jackofalltrades]

In some respects i am actually quite glad most marketing people dont have a clue about technology - it would make our lives scary.... :)

[lazerzubb]

Sorry it doesn't do it for me, i am quite happy with Screen already [panoramtech.com], and i don't plane to change just because of some 3d screen ;)

[korkus2000]

Seriously though, I think you will find people willing to change if the price is right. They will also have to have some "killer apps" that use the technology or the migration will be slow.

I believe that it will definitely enhance the users experience. It will also allow designers to reach a level of believe-ability never seen before.

[Mike12345]

Pop-ups will literally appear to smack you in the face. :)

[caine]

LZ,

thats some pretty impressive technology.

I personally think the holotouch systems, will be the way of the future. Though its the OS environments, and apps, as Korkus suggests, that will pathe the way.

[korkus2000]

caine I definitly see holotouch systems being integrated into 3D technology. It really is a new field of design we are talking about with both. We are now entering a sculptural design environment instead of a 2D space environment. Future designs like the holotouch and 3D screens will be more of an installation environment. An understanding of volumetric space will be a must to have likable and convincing designs.

[mahlon]

I can just see it now, trying to grap pop-ups in frustration!

I'm sure the porn clan would like it.

Gaming would be fun.

[JustTrying]

This seems very exciting indeed! The fun part of our industry is that the target is always moving, and always something new.

[ggrot]

I dont know. These types of screens have been around for years. I remember looking at one in a demonstration probably 5-10 years ago. They do look cool, but most things aren't set up to use them. Quake and many 3d games are easy because the whole programming revolves around setting up a 3d model in memory and then taking 2d 'photos' of the scene. All you need to do is take a second photo from a different angle, and you can project the stereoscopic images required for the 3d view. In fact, most newer graphics cards (NVIDIA) support this inherently without even changing the software. Unfortunately, beyond gaming, there is very little software that actually has the stereo data available. Window'ing systems don't, photos dont, and digital cameras aren't set up to take stereo shots.

It's one of those chicken and egg problems. Nobody will pay the prices for these monitors (which are about 2-3x that of a normal LCD monitor) without having some really good applications for the technology. And no software companies will develop the applications with the additional cost (and bloat of the software, etc) unless there is a wide adoption of the hardware itself.

[korkus2000]

I think it will boil down to expense and cool factor. If they make them cheap enough that the gamers get them and the game companies take advantage of it then it will go. Like you said, games are ready to go as far as sterioscopics are concerned.

I don't think it is something that is going to go away, but it is the speed at which it is accepted. And I agree with the catch-22. Like HDTVs didn't really market well until a few years ago even though they were available. The broadcasters didn't what to send a HD signal because noone had the hardware and no one wanted the hardware because no one sent the signal.

I think computers are different though. At any rate they saturate the market it is a good thing to start thinking of implications.