Jim Harp On 3d Editing
Joe Pedoto’s The Anaglyph Jukebox
Paul Hutchence 3d Journeys
Here is a PDF handout for Jim’s presentation.
The NYSA community gathered for an exciting episode of NYSA Presents, hosted by Jim Harp, featuring a blend of stereoscopic history, cutting-edge technology, and lively discussion. This week’s show offered something for every 3D enthusiast—from a nostalgic look at Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland in 3D to a practical exploration of AR glasses as editing tools, capped off with a thoughtful afterparty conversation about the future of 3D photography.
Anaglyph Jukebox: Alice in Wonderland in 3D
The show kicked off with Joe Pedoto introducing the Anaglyph Jukebox segment, spotlighting a rare 1951 True-View film strip of Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. This colorful gem, part of the Sheldon Aronowitz collection, stands out for its pristine condition—no fading or registration issues here! Joe shared fascinating tidbits about the artist Nelson Williams, who used a mix of precise 3D drawing machines and tracings from Disney film cells to create these stereo drawings. The segment traced Disney’s long journey with the Alice story, from his early 1920s live-action/animation hybrid at Laugh-O-Gram to the iconic 1951 animated feature. It’s a delightful reminder of how 3D technology has been enhancing storytelling for decades.
Paul Hutchence’ 3D Journey: Design Museum Highlights
Next, Paul Hutchins took viewers on a virtual trip to London’s Design Museum, showcasing stereoscopic photos of its permanent and temporary exhibitions. Captured mostly with the Beam Pro (and a few with the W3), Paul’s images brought the museum’s modern architecture and exhibits to life in 3D. The museum, relocated to its current spot about eight years ago, proved a perfect subject for stereo photography, blending art, design, and technology in a way that resonated with the NYSA audience.
Jim Harp’s Main Event: AR Glasses as 3D Editing Tools
The heart of the show was Jim Harp’s presentation on using AR (or more accurately, display) glasses—like the Xreal and Viture models—as powerful tools for stereoscopic editing. Jim explained how these glasses, equipped with dual micro-LED HD monitors (1920×1080 resolution), can function as external stereoscopic monitors when plugged into a laptop or phone via USB-C. With a beam-splitter and mirror system, they overlay a 3D image while letting you see the real world—a feature Jim repurposed for editing rather than its intended AR use.
Jim walked through the technical setup: in Photoshop, he creates a 32×9-inch canvas (split into two 16×9 virtual screens), centering left and right stereo images to align with the glasses’ 3D mode. This setup lets him edit on his laptop while viewing a live stereoscopic preview through the glasses. He shared practical examples, like restoring Civil War-era stereo cards—fixing scratches and fading with tools like the Healing Brush and adjustment layers—all while checking the 3D effect in real time. For compositing, he masked a model on a jeep and paired it with a 3D-converted Tatooine background, tweaking depth and lighting for a believable result.
To optimize the glasses, Jim popped out the dimming lenses on his Xreal Air 2s (at his own risk!) and added electrical tape for contrast, plus custom bifocal attachments for his vision. He emphasized that everyone’s eyes are different—some might prefer prescription inserts—so customization is key. The result? A game-changer for 3D editing, making tasks like anaglyph creation and restoration faster and more intuitive.
Afterparty: Community Insights and Future Directions
The afterparty was a lively exchange of ideas. Attendees praised the clarity of Xreal glasses, with Ron sharing his excitement for the upcoming Xreal One Pro, promising a wider field of view. Ron also tipped Jim off to Photoshop’s AI-powered Remove Brush, a step up from the Healing Brush for scratch repairs, sparking a wish for stereo-aware AI tools (unlikely, but dreamy!).
The conversation turned to 3D photography’s future, with a debate about PSA’s strict exhibition rules—no AI or conversions allowed, and a new requirement for a PPSA-qualified judge. Some worried this might alienate younger, tech-savvy enthusiasts, especially as smartphones and AR headsets blur the lines of “authentic” 3D. Herb announced a PSA novice competition to encourage beginners, a hopeful step to grow the community.
Robert pitched a 3D workshop for elementary students, using phones and Stereo Photo Maker to create anaglyphs—planting seeds for the next generation. Meanwhile, Jim and others reflected on AR glasses’ potential beyond editing, like portable 3D slideshows or movie viewing, urging creators to seize this growing platform.
Caption This and Wrap-Up
The show closed with the “Caption This” poll, where “How is this VR thing supposed to increase my typing productivity?” won laughs and applause, inspired by a quirky eBay stereo card. Next week promises Linda Law from the Holo Center—think holography, not donuts—for another can’t-miss episode.
Preceding summary was generated by Grok AI, and vetted by organic wetware