RECAP: FITC 'Welcome to the Holographic Future'

RECAP: FITC 'Welcome to the Holographic Future'

Remember the future of holograms we were shown in sci-fi films growing up? The ones we were supposed to be using for everything? Today they’re here.

Virtually anything—from 3D animations and characters, to applications made in Unity and Unreal, and even pictures in your phone—can be viewed in the real world as 3D holograms. Just like the movies, except for real.

In this FITC session, Shawn and Missy dive into what modern-day holograms are and why creative experimentation is foundational for technological innovation. Watch the full recording now, and stick around for answers to some questions we didn't get to during the live Q&A!

Have a question that isn't answered below or in the video? Check out the new Looking Glass Portrait section of our FAQ page, and drop us a line to chat.


What kind of video horsepower do you need to run a Looking Glass Portrait?

Historically, holographic displays have required powerful gaming laptops to run even the simplest of media. Looking Glass Portrait can still function tethered to a Mac or PC, but it's also the first of its kind that has an additional Standalone Mode thanks to a built-in Raspberry Pi 4.

Learn more about Looking Glass Portrait's secret ingredient in this post.

How do you see this idea being developed in the future?

Another great question. Truthfully, we're always asking ourselves that–and it's actually part of how Looking Glass Portrait came to be in the first place. Simply put, we're always thinking about the future and how far we can take things. If you want to come along with us and see the future as it happens, sign up for our newsletter!

Is there an app someone has made yet for 3D video calls?

Trust us, if there was an app for that today, we'd be using it all the time.

Many creative technologists in our community have experimented with real-time holographic capture and display, ourselves included. While we're not exactly there yet, we can definitely say 3D video calls are closer than they've ever been...

Here's an early real-time 3D experiment Shawn did with an Azure Kinect.

Will the same software tools work across different displays like the 15.6" & 8K?

Yes! The Looking Glass 15.6 is getting the same support as Looking Glass Portrait. We're working to make sure that all of our hardware products utilize the same software tools.

Are there certain programming languages that make creating holograms a smoother experience?

Programming languages typically come down to user preference and experience. We offer many integrations such as with Unity and Unreal Engine. We also offer a model importer tool for those who are art focused and want to see their existing work in the Looking Glass as fast as possible.


Learn more about what Looking Glass Portrait can do for you on our site. For a hands-on look at an early prototype, look no further than this segment of Tested starring Norm Chan!

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