A virtual image generation system and method of operating same are provided. A left synthetic image and a right synthetic image of a three-dimensional scene are rendered respectively from a first left focal center and a first right focal center relative to a first viewpoint. The first left and first right focal centers are spaced from each other a distance greater than the inter-ocular distance of an end user. The synthetic image and the right synthetic image are warped respectively to a second left focal center and a second right focal center relative to a second viewpoint different from the first viewpoint. The second left and right focal centers are spaced from each other a distance equal to the inter-ocular distance of the end user. A frame is constructed from the left and right warped synthetic images, and displayed to the end user.