A Study of Direct Distance Estimations to Familiar Objects in Real-Space,Two-Dimensional,and Stereographic Displays

Abstract

Stereographic displays are being considered or are under development for a variety of military and civilian applications in which the visual simulation of depth is of prime importance. A study comparing direct distance estimations to familiar objects under impoverished stimulus conditions from a real-space setting and 2- and 3-dimensional rear-projected color photographic displays was conducted to determine their relative merits in providing absolute depth information. Results indicated similar utility among the displays employed for the experimental task. However, observers rated their confidence in making distance estimations highest for the stereographic display. Some theoretical implications and methodological problems are discussed.