CALCULATORS / OPTICS, IMAGING AND ILLUMINATION

Stereo-camera depth resolution calculator

Rectified stereo pinhole depth; disparity and focal length in pixel counts.

optics-stereo-depth.napkin / editable

SCENARIO COMPARISON

Compare the numbers.

This source describes an analytical model. Its quantities and checks are the view.

Scenario	depthmm	depthErrormm
	2000	25
	1600	20

All calculated quantities are listed with the inputs. Switch to Source to inspect the equations.

SCENARIOS / CALCULATED VALUESSAME SOURCE

Change an input to see the consequences.

depth uncertainty budget25.00 mm✓ passes

BASELINE INPUTS

baseline100 mmfocalPixels800 disparity40 disparityError0.5

CALCULATED

depth2000 mm

depthError25 mm

Edits change the baseline source.

THE SOURCE

Edits below update the same model.

# Stereo-camera depth resolution
# Scope: Rectified stereo pinhole depth; disparity and focal length in pixel counts.
# Status: illustrative worked example; engineering review pending.
# Inputs are example values. Checks are editable example requirements, not standards.

baseline = 100 mm
focalPixels = 800
disparity = 40
disparityError = 0.5

depth := baseline*focalPixels/disparity [mm]
depthError := baseline*focalPixels*disparityError/disparity^2 [mm]

check depth uncertainty budget: depthError <= 30 mm

scenario alternative: baseline = 80 mm

Calculated from your source · not saved

Baseline · Baseline

depth uncertainty budget25.00 mm ✓ passes

alternative · alternative

depth uncertainty budget20.00 mm ✓ passes

Illustrative first-order example. Checks are editable requirements, not design standards. The broader topic may require additional equations, data, and validation.

Formula and units

This example uses the following equations. Input names and units match the editable source above.

depth: depth = baseline*focalPixels/disparity [mm]
depth error: depthError = baseline*focalPixels*disparityError/disparity^2 [mm]

Original worked example

These are the baseline values in the downloadable source. Edits above let you test your own values.

Given

baseline: 100 mm
focal pixels: 800
disparity: 40
disparity error: 0.5

Calculated

depth: 2000 mm
depth error: 25 mm

Assumptions and limits

Rectified stereo pinhole depth; disparity and focal length in pixel counts.

The requirement checks use the limits written in this example. Passing a check does not establish that the model covers every load, material behavior, or operating condition in a real design.

Download this .napkin example ↓

Take it further with your agent

Napkin keeps the inputs, equations, checks and assumptions together in one study. Your agent sets it up; you change the numbers.

Try with Claude ↗

codex 'Use Napkin (https://napkin.engineering/mcp, or the local Napkin plugin) to build a study: Stereo-camera depth resolution. Inputs: baseline; focal length in pixels; disparity and error. Outputs: depth; depth uncertainty. Model scope: Paraxial geometry or calibrated radiometric/photometric models. Read napkin_capabilities and the current snapshot. Ask me for the values that matter, label assumptions with units, author .napkin source, validate it and apply it with napkin_source using the current revision, then open the study. Add checks for the limits I supply. Keep unsupported analyses explicit.'

Claude needs the Napkin connector; Codex needs the Napkin plugin. Set up your agent ↗

The broader study

The topic brief below describes the broader scope. The worked example above states the particular calculation it implements.

Inputs: baseline, focal length in pixels, disparity and error
Outputs: depth, depth uncertainty
Modes: calculate, compare, sweep
Drawing: Ray diagram and camera view

EXECUTABLE WORKED EXAMPLE · FIRST-ORDER MODEL · CHECK THE SCOPE & ASSUMPTIONS