How stereograms work

[gwpriester]

I'm preparing a tutorial for a client who wants to learn how to make stereograms.

This pretty simply and graphically shows how the stereogram software distorts the repeating panel (texture) to create the illusion of depth.

I added vertical green lines to the texture image and you can see how the wider the texture becomes the farther back it appears to be, while the thinner the texture becomes, the more the image comes forward.

White comes forward the most while black goes the farthest back.

I've included the depth image and the texture panel I used.

With more complex shapes the distortions work essentially the same with parts of the text moving outward or inward to achieve the 3D effect.

[angelize]

Very interesting. I remember you did a couple of Stereogram tutorials for the Xone, I'd be interested in seeing an updated tutorial

[a4hire]

Wow nice stair step sterogram Gary! I used to have to look at these things cross eyed to see them. Now I just have a few adult beverages and they pop right out in 3D no problem. Neato!