RealSize App

The Size Perception Tool
RealSize App for iPad FAQ
  • What is the maximum supported size for an object? Back to Top
    The maximum size of an object is 20cm x 20 cm x 20cm. This size is limited by the height of the ipad screen.
  • How precise is the RealSize App? Back to Top
    It is accurate to under a millimeter. Try to physically measure the object on the iPad screen and you will see that their dimensions are exactly the values you have specified.
  • What is a .rsz file ? Back to Top
    A file with an extension .rsz contains the description of an object that can be created and viewed in RealSize App.
    When RealSize is installed on an iPad, a link is automatically established between files with the extension .rsz and the RealSize App. Any file found with this extension (ie. in an email or on a webpage) will be automatically opened in RealSize.
    It is possible to send and receive .rsz files by mail, to view the content of .rsz files available on a website, and to publish your own .rsz on the web.
  • What is the best way to hold the iPad to see the holographic effect? Back to Top
    The recommended distance from the eyes to the iPad is around 15 inches, and the default
    orientation around 45 degrees, but don't worry a lot about that, just place the iPad naturally in front of you as if you were holding a book.
    Keep the head still and use the hands to modify the orientation of the iPad.
    Sometimes closing an eye improves the holographic effect.
  • What is the best way to provide access to a RealSize object from a webpage? Back to Top
    RealSize registers the custom URL scheme "realsize://",
    When a URL shown in this form :
    realsize://www.yourweb.com/resources/yourobject.rsz

    is selected from Safari, the app RealSize is executed and the file is automatically downloaded, and shown in the RealSize 3D window.
  • The creation of a cuboid-based replica works perfectly with a rectangular object such as a cellphone or a hard disk, but what happens with more irregular objects like reflex cameras? Back to Top
    The main purpose of RealSize is to provide you with a realistic perception of the size of the real object, and also an easy way to create by yourself replicas based on limited information (dimensions and pictures).
    RealSize App works well for all objects, but exceptionally well for those that have the shape of a box.
    You can perceive in a precise way the size of the real object, and also you have a meaningful way of interaction allowing you to explore the object from different angles.

    The problem is size perception, not shape perception. Our brain is very good at extracting the shape of an object from an image. It analyzes shadows, lights, occlusions, perspective, texture, and integrates all of these creating a very precise mental image of the shape of the real object. However, where our brain has problems is with Size Perception
  • Isn´t a 3D object better than a simple cuboid? Back to Top
    The usual answer would be YES, a high quality 3d object is better than a cuboid with images places over the various faces.

    However, the cuboid has three big advantages over a traditional 3D object.
    • The images used are real pictures of the object. Synthetic 3D objects can not reach the realism of real photography, or reach a similar quality without a lot of work.
    • It is very easy to obtain the necessary data to create the object (simply using the 3 dimensions and the photographs).
    • Once you have this data, you can create by yourself the replica in minutes.

  • How can I make parts of the images that I don't want to show transparent? Back to Top
    The faces of the cuboid will be transparent if you are using .png images with alpha information.
    Sometimes this .png images with transparency are directly available on the internet, if not, you can use an image editing program to remove the portions you do not want.
    One of the most useful tools is the Instant Alpha that is in the Preview application of Mac Os.
    On iPad this can be done using the Scribble Select Tool of Photoshop Touch for iPad, and saving as .png to the iPad Camera Roll.
    This can also be done in Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Gimp or similar applications.