The present study investigates the distortions in the perception of artific
ial stereoscopic displays seen from an inappropriate distance and/or orient
ation. Stereoscopic displays represent 3-D information correctly, provided
they are seen from the correct station point. The viewing point may differ
from the correct station point in its distance or in its orientation to the
screen. These differences lead to distortions that can be predicted mathem
atically. However, the perceptual function may be different from the predic
tions, since people may possibly compensate for the distortions. To test th
e degree of this compensation, participants saw anaglyphic stereoscopic sti
muli that showed angles in the horizontal plane, and their perception of th
e configuration was tested for various orientations and distances. The esti
mates were compared with the values predicted from the mathematical functio
ns, and participants' virtual positions were reconstructed via nonlinear re
gressions. The analyses revealed a moderate compensation for viewing orient
ations and a systematically overestimation of the viewing distances. These
results indicate that people compensate partially for distortions in stereo
psis, given that the relevant information is available.