Visual effect system including perspective-correct autostereoscopic retroreflective projection

A method for providing a 3D image-based visual effect, comprising:

• tracking left and right eye positions proximate to a second side of a beamsplitter that is disposed between an outlet of a projection assembly and a reflective surface of a projection screen, wherein the beamsplitter is configured to transmit light from the projection assembly through a first side and receive light from the projection screen on the second side, and wherein the reflective surface comprises a retroreflector;
• and
• emitting, with the projection assembly, stereo images toward the reflective surface of the projection screen,
• wherein the stereo images are directed to tracked left and right eye positions,
• wherein the stereo images are rendered for viewpoints matching the tracked left and right eye positions, and
• wherein the stereo images are provided in eye boxes containing the tracked left and right eye positions.

A method for providing a 3D image-based visual effect, comprising:

• positioning a beamsplitter between an outlet of a projection assembly and a retroreflective surface of a screen, wherein the beamsplitter is configured to transmit light from the projection assembly through a first side and to receive light from the projection screen on a second side;
• tracking a left eye position and a right eye position of a viewer in a viewing space and facing the second side of the beamsplitter;
• operating the projection assembly to project left and right eye images toward the retroreflective surface of the projection screen;
• and
• directing light from a surface of a physical object in a physical scenic space toward the viewing space,
• wherein the left and right eye images are directed to the tracked left eye position and the tracked right eye position, respectively, of the viewer,
• wherein light reflected from the second side of the beamsplitter is directed into the viewing space, and
• wherein the left and right eye images are stereo images rendered for viewpoints matching the tracked left and right eye positions.