Actuality Systems is showing pictures of their 3D display that operates in a "monitor" that look like an inverted fishbowl. The Perspecta Spatial 3D lets you look at 3D images from 360 degrees around, as well as from the top -- at 100 million-voxel [volume pixels] resolution. The display is about 10 inches (40cm) in diameter.
The company uses an example from CAD to describe how it works:
For example, if you're using SolidWorks to design the world's fastest skateboard, Perspecta will echo the 3D imagery over to the display. This 3D information about skateboards or engines zooms over a SCSI cable to the Perspecta display.
First, the data is crunched by the Spatial Rendering Kernel. A lot of this work is done in Perspecta's embedded graphics electronics.
Then, the proprietary optics creates 3D imagery that hovers inside a transparent sphere. Basically, the 3D information is put into a format that is similar to thin slices of an apple around its core. Next, a high-speed digital projector shines these "slices" onto a special screen that spins at approximately 730 rpm. Therefore, you can place imagery at locations which have true (x,y,z) coordinates. The result is a convincing, interactive, colorful 3D image that can be seen from any angle in the room.
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