Schneider Digital has launched stereoscopic desktop and large-scale projection systems for military photogrammetry and GIS/mapping, satellite imaging, UXO identification, operations planning and airspace coordination.
Stereoscopic image analysis provides access to image content that can be interpreted better than monoscopic, single-image coverage from the same source and resolution. In the context of military geo-information applications, the latest generation stereo display technology for the desktop is based on passive, dual-screen systems.
With a resolution of up to 4K per screen, the dual-screen 3D PluraView monitors from Schneider Digital are directly compatible with most stereoscopic software applications, meaning no middleware, special graphic drivers or stereo signal emitters are required. Stereoscopic images are viewed on the 3D PluraView through very light-weight, passive and cross-polarized glasses.
The left image is displayed on the vertical monitor, the right image is electronically mirrored, displayed on the upper monitor and viewed through a ‘beamsplitter’ mirror, creating a holographic object effect in 3D space.
The additive combination of the two screens results in a very bright stereoscopic visualization which, in contrast to active LCD shutter glasses, allows for permanent use in normal daylight office or lab environments. With two screens, the full monitor resolution of up to 4K (UHD) is achieved for each stereo channel and therefore each eye. The passive, dual-screen stereo principle is completely flicker-free, as the left and right images are displayed on separate monitors, permitting comfortable, long-term work with stereoscopic content.
The 3D PluraView stereo monitors are designed to be extremely rigid and stable, using solid-metal CNC-machined precision components made of steel or aluminum. This construction allows for the precise, long-term calibration and co-registration of the two monitors, providing optimal stereo image quality.
3D PluraView is available in two different assembly sizes with four screen diagonals: 22″/ 24″ and 27″/ 28″ – for optimal adaptation to workplace and software application. It has a very wide 170 degree viewing angle, enabling image exploitation or consultative viewing by several people at the same time.
Suitable for direct connection to laptop workstations – allowing plug and play with just two monitor cables – the system is suited for mobile use and field operations.
The electronic components used in the 3D PluraView have very low electromagnetic emissions even without additional measures. They have been certified by the German Federal Institute for Information Security (BSI), the Swiss Federal Office for Topography (swisstopo) and the U.S. National Geospatial Agency (NGA).
Available as complete workplace solutions from Schneider Digital (monitor + workstation + input devices), they can be shielded and zoned according to the NATO SDIP-27 standard. The initial SDIP-27 shielding level (Level C) for the 3D PluraView monitors can be executed with minimal effort and cost.
3D PluraView is certified for use with BAE Systems (Socet GPX), Thales (GeoMaker), Collins (SCi-X) and Esri (ArcGIS Pro). Together with the 3D PluraView display systems, these stereoscopic software packages can provide their full potential to military users for stereoscopic display, data capture and editing operations.
With the new versions of ArcGIS Pro, the Esri has created a universal stereoscopic software platform. ArcGIS Pro automatically displays stereo images or video from satellites, aircraft or drones together with all other 3D content, such as LIDAR, CAD & mesh datasets on connected 3D display hardware. This application is an excellent example for a comprehensive and intuitive integration of multi-source 3D datasets in a unified stereoscopic data environment on the 3D PluraView monitors by Schneider Digital.