Graphics Teacher

James Cameron’s movie, Avatar (2011), about “the giant blue dudes” helped drive high-resolution 4K Sony projectors into theaters around the world, and made a lot of money in the process. Movie studios keen to maintain that momentum have released a slew of 3D films–mostly converted from 2D–and continued the expansion of 3D cinemas.

However, this forward motion hasn’t translated to a success for 3D TV in the home.

“Manufacturers would have wanted 3D to be bigger than it was; they wanted it to be the next LED, but it didn’t work out,” Lamb said.

In 1838, Sir Charles Wheatstone first described the process of stereopsis: the process by which humans perceive three dimensions from two highly similar, overlaid images. Or, the process by which Avatar looks like a mind-blowingly immersive alien landscape instead of a bunch of brightly colored fuzz.

3D technology has come a long way since Wheatstone developed his stereoscope, then used to view static images and eventually pictures. Now we get to wear Wayfarer knock-offs and enjoy 3D films, television shows and video games.

For some people, seeing cool images might be enough. But others might be curious how Pandora was brought to life, or how TRON: Legacy zapped them into its glowing world. The answer is both reassuringly simple and inordinately complex, depending on who you ask and how you look at it.