System and method for real-time depth modification of stereo images of a virtual reality environment

A system configured to perform real-time depth modification of stereo images of a virtual reality environment comprising at least one computer configured to:

• obtain or create a three-dimensional model of a virtual reality environment;
• generate a spherical translation map from said three-dimensional model, wherein
• said spherical translation map assigns translation values to points on a spherical surface in said three-dimensional model with a user located at a center of said spherical surface;
• each of said translation values is a function of a distance of a closest object in said three-dimensional model from said user along a ray between said user and each of said points on said spherical surface;
• obtain a pose of said user relative to said virtual reality environment;
• render a left viewpoint image of said three-dimensional model from said pose of said user;
• render a right viewpoint image of said three-dimensional model from said pose of said user;
• apply one or more translation modifications to said spherical translation map to adjust a depth of one or more objects in said three-dimensional model relative to said user;
• modify said left viewpoint image and said right viewpoint image to reflect said translation modifications without re-rendering said left viewpoint image and said right viewpoint image from said three-dimensional model.