Doing 3D by the book
Author: Bob Pank#
Published 1st October 2011
'3D TV and 3D Cinema: Tools and Processes for Creative Stereoscopy' (ISBN: 978-0-240-81461-2) is Bernard Mendiburu’s latest book, published this summer by Focal Press. It follows on from his previous success ('3D Movie Making') which has had several reprints to keep up with demand.
Since the first book came out two years ago, the art of 3D media, techniques, technology and products have all moved on. This new book expands into all these interesting areas. It is a collaboration in some part with Steve Schklair (3Ality) and Yves Pupulin (Binocle) plus inserts from other notable industry experts so you just know it is going to be authoritative and comprehensive.
The blurb given for this paperback is that it covers the technical requirements of shooting stereoscopic images. '3DTV and 3D Cinema' defines the concept of a professional 3D camera system and describes what features are required to make a successful unit to keep your production on schedule and on budget. It details the various hardware and software systems, with a section dedicated to the specific requirements of shooting for 3D cinema, 3D conversion, keying, and CG processes. It also goes into the essential staging, lighting, set-dressing, framing and camera movement techniques. The theoretical knowledge is complemented with real-world examples of 3D TV and cinema productions that are analysed by crew members or producers.
Chapter 3 (3D Image Processing and Monitoring) gives a very comprehensive, run-down of each potential 3D image problem or error to be encountered together with possible fixes, remedies or precautions.
How to monitor and measure these difficulties is also covered, plus a nice mention of the Cel-Scope3D stereoscopic analyser.
My guess is that even experts will find '3D TV and 3D Cinema' a useful resource. For anybody curious or aspiring to any part of the 3D product or post-production process, this has to be an essential book to read. Strangely: the copyright on the text is given as '2012' so perhaps the book is future-proof?
Robin Palmer is Managing Director of Cel-Soft. He is involved with software solutions for 3D & TV quality control and measurement technology.
