From 2D to 3D: enhanced access to human conscious awareness

Abstract

Most of our interactions with our environment involve manipulating real, 3D objects. Accordingly, 3D objects seem to enjoy preferential processing compared with 2D images, for example in capturing attention or being better remembered. But are they also more readily perceived? Thus far, the possible preferred access of real, 3D objects to awareness could not be empirically tested, as suppression was only applied to on-screen stimuli; Here, using a variant of Continuous Flash Suppression (CFS) with augmented reality goggles (“real-life” CFS), we managed to suppress both real, 3D objects and their 2D representations. In healthy young adults, real objects escaped suppression faster than their photographs. Using 3D printing, we also showed that this only holds for meaningful objects, while no difference was found for meaningless, novel ones. This suggests that the effect is uniquely mediated by affordances, shown here to be evoked by 3D objects even before these emerge to awareness.

Graspability Modulates the Stronger Neural Signature of Motor Preparation for Real Objects vs. Pictures

“…For example, similar patterns are evident in studies that have used other experimental approaches, such as those that have examined breakthrough to awareness for objects that have been rendered unconscious using continuous flash suppression. Using this approach, real objects break through into awareness sooner than do colored 2-D photographs or computer images of objects, although there is no requirement for the observer to act upon or contact the stimuli (Mudrik & Korisky, 2020;Korisky, Hirschhorn, & Mudrik, 2019). Yet, somatosensory feedback can influence breakthrough: When an observer is asked to manually rotate a platform upon which is presented a highly realistic VR or augmented reality (AR) object, breakthrough to awareness of the virtual stimulus is faster when the visual rotation of the virtual object is coupled with the live sensorimotor act of rotating the platform, compared to when the motor action is paired with prerecorded visual information that is mismatched in movement timing (Suzuki, Schwartzman, Augusto, & Seth, 2019).…”

Manufacturing holographic optical elements for automotive industry needs

“…It is well known that the human consciousness has a greater awareness for 3D objects than to their 2D representations [10], therefore it is desirable to provide critical indicators with holographic images of 3D objects and not just plain 2D signs. But if holograms shall provide a realistic 3D image, an adequate light source shall be used, and it also shall be placed at a rather larger distance from the hologram [19] In contrast to real objects holograms are capable to display two or more different 3D images.…”