This paper surveys three-dimensional (3D) visual display technology as it relates to realtime, interactive systems—or virtual environment systems. Five major 3D display types are examined: stereoscopic, lenticular, parallax barrier, slice-stacking, and holographic displays. The major characteristics of each display type are examined, i.e. spatial resolution, depth resolution, field of view, viewing zone, bandwidth, etc. In addition, the corresponding parameters of the human visual systems are described. The different display systems, as well as the human visual system, are compared in tabular form.