ChimeraX "camera sbs" on a desktop that takes one side-by-side picture
Hello, I am Daniel Ramos, from Brasília. I make Sparky Stereo OS, a free stereo 3D edition of SparkyLinux (Debian, KDE). Our KWin takes one full side-by-side picture and each screen converts it. ChimeraX already has `camera sbs`, and sequential stereo with `camera stereo` and the `--stereo` startup option. Our Mesa turns OpenGL quad-buffered stereo into that full side-by-side picture, so `--stereo` may work there unchanged. Has anyone used either one on an HDMI 3D display, or in anaglyph on an ordinary monitor? I would like to test it and send the ChimeraX team what I find. Repo: https://github.com/Sparky-OS/sparky-stereo-os In development. Thank you for ChimeraX. Daniel Ramos Written with AI assistance, which I directed and checked.
Hi Daniel, A year ago Greg Pintilie described on the ChimeraX mailing list using side-by-side stereo with a projector. One of the limitations with that is that ChimeraX does not have a full-screen mode. https://mail.cgl.ucsf.edu/mailman/archives/list/chimerax-users@cgl.ucsf.edu/... In 2026 we have tried a few eye-tracked 3D 27" flat panel displays from Acer, Sony, and Samsung described here https://www.rbvi.ucsf.edu/chimerax/data/sony3d-mar2025/xr_screens.html Tom From Greg Pintilie's message linked above: SBS Mode (e.g. 3D projector or Samsung monitor) - Works on Mac, Linux, or Windows - Works with ChimeraX and Chimera - In ChimeraX, use "camera sbs” command, then “camera mono” to switch back - In Chimera, set SBS mode from Tolls -> Viewing Controls -> Camera -> camera mode DTI side by side stereo - Make sure to maximize the main 3D window on the 3D screen - The cursor is ghost-like because it’s only shown on one side at a time, so only one eye sees it, but you can actually interact with the 3D scene once you get used to it. For selection, you have to first figure out which eye is seeing the cursor, then figure out if the selection is in the right or left side. Helps to close one eye, click to select. If the selection is off, close the other eye and move the mouse to the other side. For rotation, it’s based at the center of the screen, so you have to move the cursor to the edge of what you see with your left eye, then rotate. - For the 3D projector, you can have multiple viewers, because the projector can send the signal to multiple 3D glasses at once. - No eye tracking, so the 3D effect is not optimal, but still can be quite comfortable and effective. You have to play with the eye separation and distance to screen most of the time to make it more comfortable. In Chimera, these are in the Tools -> Viewing Controls -> Camera. In ChimeraX, it is via the “camera" command ("help camera” command shows details). - 3D shutter glasses typically have a button that switch left and right eyes. If you are not seeing the scene in 3D, and eye separation and distance to screen have not helped, press this button to switch, then adjust the parameters again.
On Oct 11, 2026, at 12:34 AM, Daniel Ramos via ChimeraX-users <chimerax-users@cgl.ucsf.edu> wrote:
Hello,
I am Daniel Ramos, from Brasília. I make Sparky Stereo OS, a free stereo 3D edition of SparkyLinux (Debian, KDE). Our KWin takes one full side-by-side picture and each screen converts it.
ChimeraX already has `camera sbs`, and sequential stereo with `camera stereo` and the `--stereo` startup option. Our Mesa turns OpenGL quad-buffered stereo into that full side-by-side picture, so `--stereo` may work there unchanged. Has anyone used either one on an HDMI 3D display, or in anaglyph on an ordinary monitor? I would like to test it and send the ChimeraX team what I find.
Repo: https://github.com/Sparky-OS/sparky-stereo-os In development.
Thank you for ChimeraX.
Daniel Ramos Written with AI assistance, which I directed and checked.
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participants (2)
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Daniel Ramos -
Tom Goddard