Abstract: A multi-mode stereoscopic imaging system is described. It is the first stereo system which is convertible back and forth from the auto stereo viewing mode without glasses to the binocular stereo viewing mode with glasses. It is based on micro-polarizer arrays and spatial multiplexing of images. The system consists of a stereo image component and an auto parallax barrier component. Both components use the properties of &mgr;Pols. Switching from one mode to the other is accomplished manually, and electronically with the aid of a liquid crystal light valve. The system combines the benefits of auto-stereo imaging and the binocular stereo imaging of prior art techniques without their limitations.