Dimension Perception

Three-dimensional computer-generated imagery (CGI) has been the animation industry standard for about two decades. There has been increased research in non-photorealistic rendering (NPR) techniques by industry leaders such as Walt Disney Animation Studios. NPR is computer-generated imagery that is augmented to replicate a distinct art style that deviates from what you would expect to see in a 3D rendering. In this study, subjects are tasked to determine whether a series of animated clips are two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Student participants are pooled into two groups, based on visual art majors and non-visual art majors. Using eye-tracking software, the data will observe if an individual uses visual cues to draw distinctions between two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms, along with how their viewing patterns change for each particular animation as the line between 2D and 3D gets blurred.