I recently purchased an Acer laptop computer, the Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition, model PH3D15-71-94PP, mfg date 7/11/23. This laptop has some amazing 3D display capabilities! I am a 3D photographer, and I bought this laptop specifically to view the 3D photos that I take, using my various 3D cameras. All the relevant apps, Windows 11, and device drivers (including the GPU) are all up to date.
However, I’m having some difficulties getting this laptop to operate correctly to meet my needs. Unfortunately, the Acer tech support team is not familiar with this 3D laptop, and they are unable to answer any questions about its 3D capabilities. They say that they do not support SpatialLabs software, because it is “third party software”, even though this software comes pre-installed on the laptop they sold me. I am extremely disappointed with their lack of support for their product. Their only suggestion was for me to try and contact SpatialLabs directly with my questions, but I do not have an email or phone contact for them, hence this posting.
I have had some limited success viewing my photos, but with some significant operational problems, as discussed below. My questions are as follows:
- Problems displaying a 3D image with the SpatialLabs “Go” application: For some types of PC imaging software, why does the Go app display an error message that the image is not in full screen mode? According to the documentation for the Go app, if a 3D side-by-side still image is displayed in full screen mode, then the “Go” app can be activated by pressing [Alt + G], and the image should then be displayed in 3D. However, only some applications seem to be compatible with this 3D display mode. For example, I can use Microsoft Photos or Paint in this way, and the image is successfully displayed in 3D. However, the application that I need to use to display 3D is the (free) “StereoPhoto Maker” (SPM) software, which is the standard 3D imaging editing application that I use. (SPM is also commonly used by most other stereo photographers.) When I use SPM to display a 3D side-by-side image in full screen mode, and then I press [Alt + G], there is an error message that the image is not in full screen mode (even though it really is!). But if I use other software such as Microsoft Photos, I can choose 3D side-by-side, and the 3D image is displayed.
- Why does the “Go” app correctly display only (compressed) side-by-side half width (HSBS) photos, but not full SBS? The documentation for the Go app does not mention this limitation. How will the Go app be compatible with the upcoming 3D camera from Acer, if full side by side photos cannot be correctly displayed by the Go app? So presently, displaying one of my 3D photos in 3D is very inefficient, requiring multiple steps. First, I need to open the photo using SPM, then save a version of the photo in HSBS format, then open that saved version with Microsoft Photos in full screen mode, and finally press [Alt + G] to show the photo in 3D. Is there a better method?
- Problems using the SpatialLabs “Player” software to display 3D photos: How do I sequentially view several 3D side-by-side photos? Although the Player software documentation only mentions the Player software supporting viewing of 3D videos (not jpeg photos), in my experiments I noticed that Player will also display 3D still photos, including full SBS photos, if the photos are in standard jpeg SBS format. However, the only way I have found to then display the next 3D photo in a folder is to individually select each photo file and then select SBS mode, which is very cumbersome. Is there a way to just display the next photo, without having to individually select each photo file?
[Edited the thread to add model number to the title]