http://www.imax.com/tempe/films/polarexpress.htm OK, the Polar Express didn't make me believe in Santa again, but it really made me want to add 3D to my own home theater. Does anyone here know how a film that was orginally made non 3D convert into a 3D film? It appears they use a double image with red and blue light that aligns with the glasses you wear and create an effect that makes images move toward you. Snowflakes and ticket punched out holes in your face...I know 3D has been out for a long time, but if anyone knows this secret please let me know. If you have not seen this movie in 3D, do it. 12,000 watts, 7 story high screen, loud train, you will believe, or as Roger Ebert said: "..the best 3-D viewing experience I've ever had. If there's a choice, try the IMAX version. Or go twice. This is a movie that doesn't wear out."

Polar Express was 100% 3D CGI, so a 3D version would have been relatively easy to make from the original 3D database. They would have just had to add another virtual camera "eye" to the one which recorded the 2D version. I don't know the history, but suspect they did the two stereoscopic 3D rendering images at the same time as the single 2D.

Note that this is truly not possible with live-action 2D. The reverse (3D->2D) is easy, of course. This was done with some commercial 3D movies in 1953, when the 3D movie fad rapidly collapsed. For example, Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder" was shot in 3D, but never released this way.

Regards,
Terry

They are working on 3D games and video. Some DLP televisions have a 3D input on them. Not sure what is required to get that to work in the future.

http://vuzix.com/iwear/products_vr920.html


Supported Media:
Plug and play video with virtually all PC applications
Thousands of pre-existing applications in full 3D
The VR920 will completely change the plethora of massively multiplayer online applications from World of Warcraft to Internet chat in virtual Worlds

Game Compatibility: World of Warcraft
Second Life
Unreal Tournament 2004
HalfLife2 - Deathmatch
Counter Strike
MS Flight Sim X
IL2 - Sturmovik
xPlane Flight Sim
rFactor Racing Sim
GTR2 Racing Sim
Quake 4 (1.4.2)
Pacific Fighters
Lock On Flight Sim


Software Updates and Forum:
Check out the VR920's dedicated page with software updates and our community forums, located at www.vr920.com

Thanks both of you. I noticed on IMAX's site that the Polar Express: "An IMAX 3D Experience” is the first full-length feature ever converted into IMAX® 3D. And Terry, you are right, they used state-of-the-art CGI and performance capture technology to create a unique blend of realism to the already fantasy, surrel film. And I found on Wikpedia's site this:" The IMAX 3D version of the film Polar Express, in addition to standard theatrical 35mm format, a 3D version for IMAX was also released, generated from the same 3D digital models used for the standard version. It was the first animated feature not specially made for IMAX to be presented in this format, and the first to open in IMAX 3D at the same time as main flat release. The financial results were stunning. The 3D version out-performed the 2D version by about 14 to 1. The 3D IMAX version was released again for the 2005 Holiday season in 66 IMAX theaters and amazingly made another $7.5 million prior to Christmas. Due to its financial success, the IMAX version was re-released in 2006 and has become an annual Christmas movie."

URL's cited:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Polar_Express_(film)#The_IMAX_3D_version
http://www.tnaqua.org/IMAX/Polar_express.asp