H3D eyewear

STEREOSCOPIC 3D-QUAKE & Co.
Quake 1 & 2, Hexen2

page initially released in 1997
last update in September 1998



 

Quake2 Stereoscopic-Quake Hexen 2

 
 
 
Content:
3D-Patches
3D-Shell Commands
General Info
3D-Glasses Specific Info
Benchmark
Stereo3D-GL-/V-Quake



 


PATCHES
The official H3D-Quake is far superior to the old, inofficial stereo-mode of standard-Quake, due to many bugfixes.
Only the H3D versions provide support for 3D-accelerators like 3Dfx and Rendition !!!

Shell-Command OVERVIEW

It might be neccessary to start h3dquake with command line option -h3d.
You have to remove  SET FX_GLIDE_SWAPINTERVAL=0 from your autoexec.bat to get H3D-GL-Quake working. (Thanks to Matt Barrett, Visual Clan.)


Shell Commands for standard Win/Dos-Quake and Hexen2 Function:
LCD_X x x-value controls eye separation. I recommend values between 1 and 5. Use negative values to reverse stereo.
LCD_YAW x I would keep this buggy function at 0.
Shell Commands for H3D-Quake Function:
H3D_AUTO x ???
H3D_CALIBRATE x x-values other than 0 call up the calibration screen
H3D_CSEP x (???) Depth. Controls eye separation. Negative values might be used to reverse stereo
H3D_ENABLE x x-values other than 0 enable stereo mode
H3D_PSEP x Depth. Controls eye separation. Negative values might be used to reverse stereo
H3D_VGAP x Position. Same functin as calibration screen.
??? I wonder if there is a way to choose manually between page-flipping and sync doubler mode on pf-capable graphics cards.
Shell Commands for H3D-Quake2 Function:
CL_STEREO x  Requires stereo patch and latest GL-drivers from H3D
CL_STEREO_SEPARATION x 

 
 

Internet Link Exchange
Member of the Internet Link Exchange

 

Everything said on this page about WinQuake applies to Hexen 2 demo&retail as well!
 


 
 
 

I wish to thank Duncan Hodson for discovering the Stereo functions in Quake and telling me about it. He discusses the matter also on his cat-page.

I took this stereo3D-screenshot with the humble Quake Shareware release 1.06
plus patch to Winquake 1.00 (aka Quake 1.09).


Wandering around the world of Quake in Stereoscopic 3D is a most surreal experience. After seeing this I can say:
I WAS THERE!
The architecture is incredible. The stereoscopic view reveals details never seen before. A monster throwing a grenade at you looks like a guy who's throwing a can of Coke at you in your own living room. It really happens! There is real distance now.
 



 
 

Until further notice most of the hints on this page refer to standard Quake  not to the official H3D-Quake!


GENERAL INFO

 

And now, lets start with the hard work:
First you need Quake Shareware or Retail version 1.07, 1.08 or 1.09. The usual way is to take version 1.06 and update it with Winquake patch 1.00 resulting in Quake version 1.09. Confusing, I know! Until now DOS-QUAKE 1.07 and 1.08 were only available through the retail Mission Packs. Now there is a free PATCH from DOS-QUAKE 1.0x to 1.08.
 

Quake recognizes the SHELL (press ^) commands LCD_X and LCD_YAW. I recommend a LCD_X value of 1 or higher and to keep LCD_YAW at 0. LCD_YAW controls the angle between the two images. Any other value than zero hurts my eyes. At higher LCD_X values the weapon in the foreground becomes a problem. The parallax is too big then. The "natural" value seems to be around LCD_X 1. Negative values can be used also. This is a way to toggle left/right.
 
 

(non-H3D)-DOS-QUAKE

The DOS versions 1.07 and 1.08 know the stereo commands. Look for your glases on this page for details.
 


(non-H3D)-WIN-QUAKE



At first I had trouble with my VGA-card (S3 Trio 64+). Every full screen stereo mode was distorted.
I experimented a bit. WinQuake uses several types of screenmodes: Standard VGA, VBE/AF, VESA 2.0, DirectDraw and standard Windows desktop driver.

The only WinQuake modes which work for me in Stereo3D are the Windows desktop modes.
To use them start Winquake with option "-dibonly".

 
Option
Result
winquake -dibonly
turns off VESA and DirectDraw
winquake -nodirectdraw
turns off DirectDraw
winquake -novbeaf
turns off VBE/AF
winquake -nowindirect
turns off VESA 2.0 and VBE/AF

These commands don't work in the Shell!

Windowed Modes

By default the only windowed mode working correctly is 320x240. The 640x480 and 800x600 windowed modes are just "blow-ups". The 3D information is destroyed by line-multiplying. This can be changed using these commands:



 

vid_stretch_by_2 0
switches the "blow up" off
vid_config_x 
use this to define your own resolution
vid_config_y 
"
vid_forcemode x
to activate the changes

You might also experiment with different page-flipping modes (vid_nopageflip x; -notriplebuffer, etc.). Read the Doc-file which comes with Winquake for more Video related commands.
Next you have to get your (Windows) screen and glasses into 3D mode. If you're glasses can't do interlace (parallel/serial port glasses) you should use DOS-Quake.




 
Now pick your device for detailed info:

 
 


H3D
(The official Quake 1&2 glasses, the only consumer goggles supporting Voodoo Graphics and Voodoo_2)

VRSurfer/ Cyber3DVisor/ APEC VR97/ i-Art VirtualEyes/ VGA-PT/ VR-Joy/ EyeFX
(VGA-pass-through)

SimulEyes/ miro 3D-fanatix
(VGA+WhiteLineCode)

i-glasses

3D-Max
(VGA-PT+ISA-card)

Canopus Total3D

VFX-1

Cyberboy/ Virtual Visor
(serial port)

3D-Spex/ 3DTV/ Cybershades
(parallel port)

CyberMaxx

 

H3D Eyewear

H3D (Holographic 3D) were the first to announce official support for their glasses. This announcement on the H3D page actually lead to the discovery of the LCD functions.



 
In Fact H3D is THE company behind Stereo-Quake. 
The programming was done by Brightland on behalf of H3D and id.
 
The official H3D-Quake patches (GL, V, DOS) are released !!! Quake2 (GL only) released !
 

The official H3D-Quake has enhanced, bugfixed 3D functions, accessible in the options menu.
H3D has an exclusive (!) contract with id.

3DFX Voodoo Graphics and Voodoo 2 users are required to buy some original H3D glasses. Currently there is no other consumer Stereo-3D-system which supports these popular 3D-accelerators!

 (Voodoo 2 - H3D support will be available from GLIDE 3.0 on, which is due this summer.)
Read my H3D-review.


Kasan 3D-Max






Since Kasan 3D-Max is based on the interlace technique, it's no problem there.
 

I had success with the windowed 320x240 mode and the full screen modes 640x480 to 1280x1024. The lower full screen resolutions work, but are distorted after activating 3D-mode. You might increase the resolution of the windowed modes as well. Check the SimulEyes section for details.

3D-Max doesn't work with any current version of the official H3D-Quake!
 
 


Stereographics SimulEyes/Miro 3D-Fanatix
(white-line-code VGA-pass-through)

The SimulEyes are capable of working with page-flipping or interlace, but they need a white line-code at the bottom of the screen for synchronization.

SimulEyes and standard-DOS-Quake 1.07/1.08

Stefan Schimanski  took the M3D tweak by Marius Schilder and put White Line Code into it. Download his SE-DOS-QUAKE (QLCD) tweak here.(NEW VERSION Jan 98!
Thanks to Stefan and  Duncan for sending me the code.
The prog needs the code of the VESA modes used.
On my S3 card this syntax seems to work:

lcdbios /lcdrun: qlcd 101 101 quake

This works for different resolutions.
Choose a nice refresh rate using SDD before!

Since I don't have a SimulEyes controller I can't do a final test.

SimulEyes and standard-WinQuake 1.00 (aka Quake 1.09)

At the Stereographics Site you'll find utilities like SGTOGGLE to set Windows into interlace and to add a white line code. Unfortunately to make the white line visible only windowed modes are usable.
Don't forget to set the desktop to 8 bit (256 colors) or you're loosing performance.
By default only the 320x240 mode works correct. The 640 and 800 windowed modes are just "blow-ups" which destroy the 3D information by multiplying the lines. This can be changed using this commands:
 
 
 
 
 

vid_stretch_by_2 0
switches the "blow up" off
vid_config_x 
use this to define your own resolution
vid_config_y 
use this to define your own resolution
vid_forcemode x
to activate the changes

The hints for the SimulEyes section came from Flint Hamblin and Duncan Hodson. Thanks!

I recommend to use SimulEyes with H3D-Winquake!



 
VRSurfer/VirtualEyes/Cyber3DVisor/APEC VR97/VR-Joy/EyeFX/homebrew VGA-PT
(VGA-pass-through)

All of these devices should work with WinQuake and in some cases even with H3D-GL/V-Quake.
For WinQuake follow the instructions in the 3D-Max section. Just use VR-BIOS, SSDI, VRViewer, SGToggle or 3DWin instead of 3D-BIOS.
VR-Joy and EyeFX work right away without a driver.
For DOS-Quake follow the instructions in the 3D-SPEX or Cyberboy section.
 

It's a bit tricky to get WinQuake working in Full Screen using the VR97 windows driver. The control panel is accessible on the desktop only and there seems to be no hot-key. Here's how it works: Choose the exact screen mode you'd like to use in WinQuake, like 640x480, 256 colors, for your windows desktop. Start WinQuake (winquake -dibonly) and choose the matching full screen mode. Toggle back (ALT-TAB) to the win desktop, activate interlace mode, toggle back to WinQuake. If you choosed identical screen modes for both it'll stay in interlace.

  i-Art VirtualEyes, APEC VR97, Canopus Total3D, the homebrew VGA-PT and maybe the Cyber3DVisor will work with the official H3D-GL- and V-Quake patches, when used on a Voodoo Rush or  Rendition graphics board. Some other OpenGL accelerators might work too. (No Sir, Voodoo Graphics or Voodoo 2 won't work, because they don't support hardware page-flipping! You'll need some original H3D-glasses for this.)



 
Cyberboy /Virtual Visor
(serial port)

There's a special patch for Cyberboy (serial port): BoyQUAKE (if you're not satisfied with this try MPM3D)
 

Glasses connected to the serial or parallel port and driven by LCD-BIOS work with page-flipping, even in 3D-BIOS emulation mode.
 

LCD-BIOS doesn't work for Windows-Screen-Modes! You'll have to wait for the SSDI LCDBios VxD!!! (Sorry, no release date yet!) The Windows software for the 3D-SPEX called WinSPEX is already available, but it doesn't seem to do WinQuake. It also doen't support serial or parallel devices appart from the SPEX because the I/O port seems to be fixed..
  Thanks to Marius Schilder there is LCD-BIOS support for (non-H3D)-DOS-Quake 1.08 now. Get the newest patch on Marius' web page. The C source is included. Try to enhance it if you can! You'll find the docu in the source!
For this little program you need to know the gfx mode codes of your VGA-card. Use Scitech Display Doctors "Profile" program to find them out.
Here are the codes for S3 cards:

    100 -  640 x  400  8 bits per pixel
    101 -  640 x  480  8 bits per pixel
    103 -  800 x  600  8 bits per pixel
    105 - 1024 x  768  8 bits per pixel
    107 - 1280 x 1024  8 bits per pixel
    120 - 1600 x 1200  8 bits per pixel
 

There is a 3D-BIOS emulation in LCD-BIOS, but this doesn't work in hi-res, it doesn't work with windows and it doesn't work with "w3d.exe" or "cyberon.com". The original 3D-BIOS needs a Kasan 3D-Max ISA slot card installed. "w3d.exe" and "cyberon.com" are only switches which call functions of 3D-BIOS. Without 3D-BIOS they're useless. I just say this because I received lots of mails from LCD-BIOS-users asking about Cyberon and W3D.

Cyberboy and other serial port devices doesn't work with any version of the official H3D-Quake!
 


 
3D-SPEX/Cybershades/3DTV
(parallel port)





NUVFRAG (for 3DSPEX)
NEW: Nuvision released a special version of LCD-BIOS called NUVFRAG for (non-H3D)-Dos-Quake 1.08. It was inspired by the work of Marius and he is credited accordingly.
Nuvfrag seems to be fixed to /LPT and to /LCDCtl: FBFFFBFF. LCDCtl is set by an environment variable.
By default NuvFrag sets LCD_YAW to 1.8, I recommend to keep it at 0. At 1.8 the weapon looks great, but the environment isn't right, because YAW isn't implemented correctly. The YAW should adapt dynamically to the distance, but it doesn't seem to do this at the moment.
NUVFRAG can also be used to force other programs into 3D-mode, thus increasing the software library. (Syntax: nuvfrag lock run:whatever). NUFRAG adds Quake, HMD and hi-res 3D-Max support to 3D-SPEX/LCD-BIOS!!!
NuvFrag was designed for Nuvisions own 3D-SPEX glasses. Visit the Driver page to learn more.
NUVFRAG doesn't work for Total 3D!!!

SPEX and other parallel devices doesn't work with any version of the official H3D-Quake!


Canopus Total 3D

The H3D-V-Quake-Stereo patch is out now. It works. (Thanks to Alexander Kirk for verification.)
The stereo orientation might be reversed. Call up the shell and type in a negative value for 3D-depth: H3D_PSEP -1
 


Cybermaxx

(non-H3D)-DOS- and Win-Quake full screen mode (640x480) works flawlessly on Cybermaxx. (Thanks to S. Renaudin for testing.) The resolution first seemed a bit high to me. On the other hand the LCD panels have 240 lines each. 2 x 240 =480! Should you encounter problems try different drivers: windows desktop, DirectX, VESA. Left/Right could be set up by using positive or negative (!) LCD_X values.
 
 

VFX-1

VFX1 is also verified! Thanks to Mickey Johnson. Read his comment on Stereo3D-Quake and VFX1!
Check the VFX-1 User Site also.

NEW:
The VFX-1 might also work with the official H3D-GL- and V-Quake patches, when used on a Voodoo Rush or  Rendition graphics board. Some other OpenGL accelerators might work too. (No Sir, Voodoo Graphics or Voodoo 2 won't work, because they don't support hardware page-flipping! You'll need some original H3D-glasses for this.) Set the VFX-1 to field-sequential stereo mode!

i-glasses

i-glasses is verified. Make shure the 3D-Switch is on. (Try 'winquake -dibonly' )
It seems the same rules apply for all consumer HMD's. Start winquake with option "-dibonly" and use 640x480 full-screen mode. Read Mickeys paper. Enjoy!
William Ferguson did a lot of experimenting with i-glasses, Space Orb 360 and Quake. I don't share his opinion on NuvFrag and LCD_YAW though, but read for yourself.

NEW:
The i-glasses also work with the official H3D-GL- and V-Quake patches, when used on a Voodoo Rush or  Rendition graphics board. Some other OpenGL accelerators might work too. (No Sir, Voodoo Graphics or Voodoo 2 won't work, because they don't support hardware page-flipping! You'll need some original H3D-glasses for this.) Set the i-glasses to field-sequential stereo mode!
 
 


Back to
3D-HOME

Enhanced Stereo GL-, V-, DOS-, Win-Quake

Patches released! Check the  H3D-Download page.

3DFX Voodoo Graphics and Voodoo 2 users are required to buy some original H3D glasses. Currently there is no other consumer Stereo-3D-system which support these popular 3D-accelerators. Voodoo Rush and Rendition works for some other devices. (Voodoo2 support for H3D will be availble after Glide 3.0 is released, which is due this summer.)

 Brightland Corporation is the developer of the enhanced Stereo versions of OpenGL-, Rendition-, DOS- and Win-Quake.
You might never heard of Brightland, but they're a major player in the stereoscopic field. They worked on drivers, conversions and stuff for companies like: id, Victormaxx, H3D, Chinon, StereoGraphics, 3DTV and Virtual-IO.
They're also working on a game project called BUMPER TANKS, a hardware accelerated Stereo 3D title.

H3D-V-Quake was already presented on Quake Con in April 97(!!!) and later on E3. Now one year has passed and many people still couldn't get their hands on the glasses.
 
 



 
non-H3D Stereo Quake Benchmark

 
 


 
Quake Version Screen Driver 2D/3D Glasses Driver Timedemo Demo2 FPS Relative  Speed 
DOS-Quake 1.08 VESA2 2D mono none 11,5 100 %
DOS-Quake 1.08 VESA2 3D stereo none 9,5 83 %
DOS-Quake 1.08 VESA2 3D stereo 3DSPEX (NuvFrag) No Lock 9,3 81 %
DOS-Quake 1.08  VESA2 3D stereo 3DSPEX (NuvFrag), Lock 8,6 75 %
WinQuake 1.09 accel8.drv 2D mono none 11,2 97 %
WinQuake 1.09 accel8.drv 3D stereo none buggy -
WinQuake 1.09 ddraw8.drv 2D mono none 10,7 93 %
WinQuake 1.09 ddraw8.drv 3D stereo none buggy -
WinQuake 1.09 DIB 8 2D mono none 11,3 98 %
WinQuake 1.09 DIB 8 3D stereo none 9,5 83 %
WinQuake 1.09 DIB 8 3D stereo 3D-Max (3D-BIOS) 9,4 82 %

Different values of LCD_YAW seem to have no significant effect.

The calculation of two perspectives (stereo 3D) eats CPU time, that's reasonable. The LCD-BIOS/NuvFrag driver eats some additional CPU time when used with the LOCK option. This option is required however to get a stable image comparable to that of the 3D-MAX. The impact of the 3D-Max driver on the CPU is very low.
The 3D-SPEX/LCD-BIOS page-flipping image looks better than the 3D-MAX interlace image, because there are no black interlace lines. The effective resolution is the same in both cases: 640x240 per eye. Thanks to interlace the Max can do really high resolutions at high refresh without stretching the monitor to much.
Since the standard stereo versions of Quake can't rely on any 3D accelerator (Voodoo, etc.) the best processor is a Pentium Pro or 2. Unfortunately I've got the worst processor, a Cyrix, which is great for Stereo games like Hi-Octane or Nascar, but looses in Quake. Honestly I didn't count on a Stereo-Quake when I bought it.
 
 



 

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Christoph Bungert, Germany .