| What is "Depth Map"? Depth map is a kind of image which is composed of the gray pixels defined by 0 ~ 255 values. The "0" value of gray pixels stand for that "3D" pixels are located at the most distant place in the 3D scene while the "255" value of gray pixels stand for that "3D" pixels are located at the most near place. In depth map, each depth pixel would define the position in Z-axis where its corresponding 2D pixel will be located. Since it can be referred as pixel-by-pixel to produce realistic 3D image, it is now more and more popularly used on producing 3D contents, especially the multi-view 3D contents for 3D digital signages. |
|
How to create "Depth Map"? Basically, you must be very knowledgeable of the perspective views of objects inside a 2D image. Also, you must be able to imagine a 3D space in which the objects inside the 2D image will be located from distant place to near place. In the meantime, you must also have a "Gray Sclae" marked 000 ~ 255 values by which you can define the physical positions for the corresponding objects in your mind. Later, you may use any image processing software like Photoshop to paint the objects in gray colors which you'd like to represent them for somewhere in the 3D scene. As for how to create the depth map in Photoshop, please refer to "Create Depth" for details. But, how about video? Well, ... Currently, there are many generative AI technologies on the market that can generate static and dynamic depth maps. Although they are still in their infancy, over time, AI technology will become more mature and perfect, and we can expect to produce high-quality depth maps. |
How to render "Depth Map"? Normally, you have to have a DIBR(Depth Image Based Rendering) software for help. According to your 3D display, the software can extract the multiple views as many as required from the original 2D image based on the depth map. Then, interweave them into a multi-view 3D image. For some 3D digital signages in which there have already been hardware DIBR built, you may just play the "2D+Depth" image out for them with normal 2D player. Unfortunately, most current 3D digital signages have no hardware DIBR built inside. In such a case, you need a 3D player which can real-time play "2D+Depth" images (or videos) and process them into multi-view 3D images (or videos). Or, alternatively you can use i-Magic3D software to directly render 2D and Depth images or image sequences and interweave them into the required 3D format, and then convert them into MP4 videos, which can be played and displayed directly on various OLED and LCD display panels, smart phones (such as iPhone, Android, etc.) without the need for dedicated 3D player.. |
Application of Depth Map The essence of "Depth Map": "Depth" (Z-Axis) is added to the 2D Image (X-Y Plane). Through the "Depth Image Based Rendering" (DIBR), "3D Model" and "Multi-View 3D" images can be exported. Deduced from the essence of the "Depth Map", it can be applied to many 3D displays that require "Multi-View" such as: Glasses-Free 3D Display, Lenticular 3D, Parallax Barrier 3D, Light-Field 3D Display, Holographic 3D Display, Head Mounted Display, 3D Projection, 3D Movie,... etc, almost includes all the applications that require 3D display in our current lives, that means, the "Depth Map" plays a pivotal "Core" role in the "Multi-View 3D Display" application. |
Key to Success If you want to operate a "multi-view 3D" business, then you must first provide an "Impressive 3D Experience" that can convince people's eyes. In addition to the high 3D quality requirement of the 3D display hardware itself, there is also 3D content. The quality must be good enough and the core technology for producing high-quality "multi-view 3D" content is the "Depth Map". Therefore, being able to master all kinds of "Depth Map" production techniques and powerful DIBR is the key to success! Here, i-Art 3D offers: 3D Content Service(Depth Creation Service), Depth Map Application Software, DIBR Algorithm, Tech-Transfer on 3D Content Production. |