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Quad-buffered Stereo

Quad-buffered (aka CrystalEyes) stereo is the name used within VMD for the quad-buffered frame-sequential stereo display mode found on professional graphics workstations. Quad-buffered stereo generally yields the highest quality output, and is therefore the most desirable stereo mode to use when available. Since quad-buffered stereo requires more video memory, and special display synchronization circuitry, this mode is usually only available on professional-grade GPUs such as AMD FireGL, NVidia Quadro FX, and similar products. Typically this mode is used to drive LCD shutter glasses with a CRT display, 120Hz LCD panels, or various high-end stereo-capable projection systems.

Quad-buffered stereo mode provides separate left and right eye frame buffers. It allows the a window display in stereo, while all other windows appear as normal. The display must be set in a stereo-capable mode before starting VMD. On SGI workstations, one must use either the setmon or xscreen utilities to configure the display mode. On Sun workstations this is done using the fbconfig utility. HP systems use the sam utility for display configuration. Microsoft Windows uses the Display Properties tab to control video board display mode settings.

Once set in the proper display mode, start VMD as normal, and select `QuadBuffered stereo' from the Display menu. The image should switch to two images nearly superimposed, but slightly offset.


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Next: Side-By-Side and Cross-Eyed Stereo Up: Stereoscopic Modes Previous: Stereoscopic Modes   Contents   Index
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