X3D China

Issue #44

Last Update March 2, 2006

Technology X3Dchina.com by Sten Grynir With a booming economy, China is driving to be accepted by the developed world as an equal trading partner. Part of this effort is a technology initiative; the launch of its first manned space capsule puts China into a very exclusive club. Information technology is its other major initiative. In software development and its standardization on Linux as the operating system of choice, China is hoping to create a domestic software industry to serve its huge internal market and become a player internationally.

American firms are being given the opportunity to become suppliers to China, as well. In October, at the Chinese Consulate in New York, a new website (www.x3dchina.com) was inaugurated. A joint project of China Daily, China's largest English language newspaper, and X3D Technologies, a New York company, this website provides a 3-dimensional survey of China's long and magnificent cultural history. Viewed using X3D's hardware and software, the website's visual content seems to float in the air in front of the monitor. Monuments, statuary, cities and artifacts all seem to be seen through a nearby open window, the stereoscopic effect providing a reality not available from the usual flat website pictures.

To get this effect, X3D's hardware (glasses) and software must be used. Going to the website, x3dchina.com, will allow you to see a 2D version of the material, and to purchase the hardware and software for 3D viewing for just under $100. Once the software is installed, the material can be viewed as intended. The website provides a nice overview of China's 5,000 year history and cultural achievements. This same hardware and software is supported by some computer games manufacturers to give their games full depth, and by health care and scientific researchers to display molecules, body parts and other objects of interest in 3D, fully rotatable around all axes.

Far more impressive than the website, however, was the demonstration at the consulate of plasma screens that allow 3D viewing with glasses. Looking at the screens with the naked eye, objects seemed to float unsupported in the air, a remarkable effect. China has ordered 20,000 of these screens for distribution all around the country as an advertising medium. X3D is hoping to market this technology world-wide for advertising and scientific uses.

Glasses-free 3D viewing is bound to be a hot item, and China, as an early adopter, is bound to reap benefits from its pioneering stance. The difference between the 3D experience and ordinary 2D viewing is about the same as the difference between black and white and technicolor; with a black and white movie, the action and, sometimes, mood are conveyed. With a color movie, the realism is heightened.

As a harbinger of the importance of this glasses-free technology, consider that Sharp has just announced a 3D laptop, for distribution this winter.