3. The size of the Zone of View and the occlusion factor.
The size of the Zone of View (ZOV) plays a critical role in the PresenZ experience. However, the optimal size of the ZOV depends on the scene being rendered.
A larger ZOV can convey more information to the viewer, but if pushed too hard, it may overwhelm the system during playback. The relationship between the ZOV size and the amount of information is linked to the occlusion factor. This factor represents the amount of surfaces that appear or disappear when the viewer moves. When the viewer changes their point of view during playback, they might see a background that was previously occluded.
For example, a scene in the sky with mountains far away will have a very low occlusion factor, allowing for a very large ZOV of several meters in length without any issues. Conversely, a scene with a lot of nearby vegetation will have a very high occlusion factor, potentially requiring a smaller ZOV, possibly even smaller than the default size.
However, even in a scene with a high occlusion factor, it’s still possible to create a large space for the viewer to move around using multi-boxing. This technique involves creating multiple ZOVs located next to each other, providing a larger overall viewing area while maintaining a manageable occlusion factor.
In summary, the size of the Zone of View is critical to the PresenZ experience, and the optimal size depends on the scene being rendered. The occlusion factor, which represents the amount of surfaces that appear or disappear when the viewer moves, is a key consideration when determining the appropriate ZOV size. In scenes with a high occlusion factor, multi-boxing can be used to create a larger overall viewing area while still maintaining an acceptable occlusion factor.