"Bob H" <omniverse@charter%net> wrote in message 
news:44691fb6$1@news.povray.org...
> I've always thought there's an interesting thing about 2D drawings being 
> used to show 3D objects. Well, more of a strange hypothesis probably. 
> Consider the cave paintings of prehistoric people, for example. Often a 
> very 2D look to them. Always made me think about whether that was due to a 
> lack of understanding 3D or if, instead, there might be some kind of 
> crucial factor to converting from 3D to 2D. I know people think of 2D as 
> simple, kids begin by drawing lines and flat colors, but think about the 
> conversion involved to go from 3D objects to 2D surfaces as a way to 
> represent things. Maybe a voluntary reduction in perception?

It's been a (long) while, but if I recall my Art History course back in 
undergrad, I vaguely recollect a textbook mentioning that it wasn't a lack 
of ability to produce 3D artwork, it was the style of the time that produced 
many of the flat Egyptian-pyramid-like drawings.  So, I would agree with 
your 'voluntary reduction in perception' hypothesis...

Dunno, maybe that's way off base, but my swiss-cheese memory seems to recall 
such.

- How

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