Lenticular Technology

Igor Kurchavov, Arashan Promotion © Copyright 2003 - 2005, www.3DPhotoPro.com, www.3DPhotoStock.com

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Igor Kurchavov, Arashan Promotion © Copyright 2003 - 2005, www.3DPhotoPro.com, www.3DPhotoStock.com

Table of contents: 1.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2.

Brief description of lenticular technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.

Parallel stereoshooting with the tripod add-on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 3.1 Description of the method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 3.2 Stereobase choosing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 3.3 Frames quantity choosing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 3.4 Multiple shooting action sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 3.5 Tripod Add-on for multishooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

4.

The frames inclination angle correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

5.

Snapshots alignment by “zero” point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

6.

Printing process calibration, interlacing and printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 6.1 Factors that affect the printing accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 6.1.1 Paper deformation caused by impregnation of printer ink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 6.1.2 Printing inaccuracy of a printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 6.1.3 Step deviation of the lenticular lenses from nominal value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 6.2 Calibration of the printing process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 6.3 Interlacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 6.4 The interlaced image printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

7.

Example of making 3D lenticular picture using “PhotoProjector” and “ViewsAligner” software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1 Making the pitch test with “PhotoProjector” software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.2 The frame’s alignment using “ViewsAligner” software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3 Process of interlacing using “PhotoProjector” software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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40 40 44 50

8.

Laminating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 8.1 Alignment lenticular lenses sheet and printed interlaced image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 8.2 Laminating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

9.

Making lenticular Flip pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

10.

11.

Example of making Flip lenticular picture using “PhotoProjector” software . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.1 Making the pitch test using “PhotoProjector” software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.2 Frame’s preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.3 Process of interlacing using “PhotoProjector” software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.4 How to reduce the “ghost” effect using “PhotoProjector” software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

64 64 64 66 70

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Appendix 1: Appendix 2: Appendix 3:

Two steps Pitch Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Printed interlaced 3D picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Printed interlaced Flip picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

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1. Introduction The purpose of this book is to show a way as simple as it is possible to make highquality lenticular 3D photos at home, using the usual and not expensive office equipment, which already presents almost in each house. I am talking about such things as a computer, a digital camera, an ink jet color photo printer, a laminator and possibly a cutting trimmer. There are several different ways of 3D pictures manufacturing at present time. The most of these ways require expensive equipment and a lot of extra tools for viewing, such as special 3D glasses. I would like to tell to you about the simple and cheap technology of lenticular 3D pictures manufacturing. I have made thousands of them and now I would like to share my experience with you. A 3D photos creation is a very fascinating process. I know many photo amateurs, who would like to reflect their photos in three dimensions. And, as far as I understand, you are one of them. ☺ Well then, I would like to make you happy! There is a simple way to make a 3D photo! I know, that you will be pleasantly surprised when will hold in hands your first 3D photo, and how many joyful moments will be delivered to you by showing the 3D photos you have made to your relatives and friends. It is very funny to see someone observing a 3D picture at the very first time and trying to figure out how can such thin picture look deep (even looking at the back, trying to touch the object, etc). It really bewitches when you see not only depth of a picture, but also when a part of object visually coming out of the 3D picture and lying above the surface. You can use this technology to express your inspiration in a graphic art. This technology opens a new way to create really artistic works, for example you can combine 2D and 3D objects together into one and make the very interesting visual effects. Please, see on the picture below. I have combined a 2D beautiful woman’s portrait with a 3D object of two roses (picture 1.1). If you will create and present such portrait to your loved woman, I believe she will be happy!

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Picture 1.1 This method of making 3D lenticular pictures can be used by graphic designers who create advertising and promotional pictures. Lenticular technology is a very effective way to increase your sales volume. As is shown in independent research “Arka” company (Russia), lenticular pictures attract attention of people in 6.5 times more then the ordinary flat promotional pictures. Beside this a lot of people keep lenticular pictures as a souvenir instead of throwing them out into the trash. The graphic designers can add motion or third dimension to his pictures to attract attention of the prospective clients. For this purposes I have made the first and unique at present time 3D Lenticular Photo Stock Gallery in the world http://www.3DPhotoStock.com In 3D Lenticular Photo Stock Gallery you can find the frame sets of 3D pictures like landscapes, for example, or 3D objects, like flowers. You can use all pictures or parts of them in your projects. Each 3D picture frame set consists of a consecution of digital files that were made using "Parallel stereoshooting with the tripod add-on" method that is described in chapter #3 of the present book. All pictures are Royalty-Free and they can be used multiple times for making 3D lenticular pictures, for any usage (advertising, art pictures, CD or book covering, cards and so on). The Royalty-Free license also allows you to alter an image and create unique works of your own. 4

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The fundamental principles of lenticular 3D picture manufacturing were developed more than a hundred years ago. Plenty of pictures were made since then all around the world. But years ago it used to take large capital investments to purchase a lot of special and very expensive equipment. It also required the highly skilled personnel presence and a lot of time to manufacture every single picture. Therefore making of 3D pictures was accessible only to large companies for many years and economically itself justified only by producing the large amount of 3D pictures that were mostly used in advertising. Even a few years ago the appearance of 3D pictures manufacturing technology, about which I would like to tell you, was not possible. But, because of the technical progress, occurrence of personal computers, colour photo printers and inexpensive lenticular lens sheets the real opportunity to make photos at home has finally appeared. Now manufacturing of a single lenticular 3D photo takes about 30 minutes of time, and all the expenses including lenticular lens sheet purchase, paper and ink for printer needed to manufacture a single 3D photo of the size 4" x 6" (10 х 15 см) do not exceed 3.50 dollars. In my work I use the software developed by the talented programmer, scientist, big enthusiast of 3D photography and charming woman E. Wassenmiller. She developed several very useful programs such as: •

“PhotoProjector” software that could be used for image interlacing.

•

“ViewsAligner” software that could align all of your frames by slope, by magnification, by “zero point”, crop them by the proportion of your final 3D lenticular picture during few minutes and even interlace your frame set into one interlaced picture.

•

“MultiStereoBase” software that could be used for stereobase calculation.

•

“Bas-relief” software that could be used to transform flat images into 3D.

•

The “DepthMapCreator” and “StereoMorpher Plus” software which are able to create multiple snapshots from a usual stereo pair. The descriptions of these software as well as their demonstration versions you

could find on web-site http://www.3DPhotoPro.com Especially for beginners in lenticular technology I developed the Lenticular Tool Kit (http://www.3DPhotoPro.com/lenticular_tool_kit.html) that includes: •

“PhotoProjector” interlacing software.

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•

This manual “How to make high quality lenticular 3D photos and Flip pictures for home and business”.

•

Lenticular lenses set. If you need the lenticular lens sheets with an adhesive layer you could order them

directly from page http://www.3dphotopro.com/lenses.html For multi shooting you could use the very convenient and reliable Tripod Add-on. Please, read the description on it on the page http://www.3dphotopro.com/add-on.html This book does not contain any complicated formulas and calculations. In this book I am sharing with you my practical experience of lenticular 3D pictures manufacturing, which could be successfully applied by anyone, who has any interest in 3D photography. I hope that the technology described in this book will become a good base for your hobby or will help you develop a new business direction of. Although this description of lenticular technology is based on “PhotoProjector” software you will be able to read the main principles, which can be used with any software. Therefore, if you already have any interlacing software it is possible that there is no need to get other similar program. In case you have any questions or wishes concerning this book I would really like you write me at my email ([email protected]). Well, let’s start! Good luck! Igor Kurchavov

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2. Brief description of lenticular technology Though I promised do not go in any complicated details, but there is some basic information about 3D lenticular technology should be mentioned. As it is we know, human’s eyes see the world in three dimensions, because each eye sees the world under its particular angle of view, in other words sees the image a little bit different not like another one. This difference is in a certain shift between the objects on a horizontal. And closer objects are shifted more, than the remote ones (picture 2.1).

Picture 2.1 Hence, it is necessary to give the left image for the left eye, and right for right one in order that the man could sense a three dimensional picture. In other words it is necessary 7

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for us to combine and to code the visual information for the both eyes, and then, by using the decoding device to decode this information and to transport the appropriate information to each eye. All the technologies of 3D pictures manufacture are based on this principle. In our case to decode the information we are going to use a lenticular lens sheet. A lenticular lens sheet itself represents a transparent plastic, which is flat on one side and covered with a number of parallel cylindrical lenses on another side. There is an adhesive layer put on flat part of a lenticular lens sheet, which is closed by a transparent protective film and could be easily removed (picture 2.2).

Picture 2.2 The paper with printed interlaced image strongly fastens by an adhesive layer with a lenticular lens sheet, and the cylindrical parallel lenses will decode the interlaced images ready for recognition of a three dimensional picture. It works in the following way: Both images are divided to the thin stripes with the width equal to a half of T - distance (picture 2.3). Each lens should be placed above the correlative image stripes from the left and right side images. The left image stripes have to be placed to the right from an optical axis of each lens, and the right ones have to be placed to the left from the optical axis of each lens (picture 2.3).

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Picture 2.3 And now looking at a lenticular 3D picture each eye sees the appropriate image and that creates the third dimensions illusion. Of course, it is a pretty much simplified scheme. On practice the best results could be achieved by combining not just two images but from eight to twelve and even more images. It is so because of the use of two images only gives an instant image flipping. And if we use more images they will replace each other smoothly and imperceptibly. Besides, another interesting effect appears and it looks like there is an opportunity to observe an object from the different points of view.

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3. Parallel stereoshooting with the Tripod Add-on 3.1 Description of the method There are several different ways of stereoshooting. And now I am going to tell you about one of them. It is called the “Parallel stereoshooting with the Tripod Add-on”. In this method the shooting is going according to the following scheme (picture 3.1.1).

Picture 3.1.1 In parallel stereoshooting the camera moves perpendicular to photographic scene on the fixed interval called “stereobase”. It is the simplest way which gives very nice results. But it is necessary to note, that since the aiming lines move parallel a part of the photographic scene to the left and to the right is going to be lost. During the shooting it is necessary to keep in mind that the main object should always be within the limits of the frame’s working area (picture 3.1.2).

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Picture 3.1.2 On picture 3.1.2 you can see the first, the fifth and the last frame from the “Orchid” series of snapshots. The resulting file contains the information from all the 10 snapshots (picture 3.1.3).

Picture 3.1.3 Before shooting make sure that the scene has a well distinct by depth plans. The scenes with the objects that partially block each other usually succeed (picture 3.1.3), as well as a presence of an extended subject leaving in depth of a scene. The bridge on the “Old Bridge” picture (picture 3.2.1) is a very nice example of an extended subject leaving into the depth of a scene. 11

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3.2 Stereobase choosing * Stereobase choosing is one of the most crucial moments in the shooting process. If the chosen stereobase is less than necessary then the differences between stereoshots will be small and, hence, you will receive a photo with poorly represented third dimension. And if the stereobase is greater than necessary then lenticular lens sheet will not be able to combine the strongly varied images in one, and as a result you will receive blurred and not clear photo.

3.3 Frames quantity choosing * The three dimensional pictures when one frame abruptly changes to another make not a very pleasant impression. To avoid that it is necessary to increase the frame’s quantity in 3D picture. Therefore the frame’s quantity influences the switching smoothness from one frame on another during a lenticular 3D picture observation.

3.4 Multiple shooting action sequence Usually I use the following multiple shooting action sequence: 1. Choose the distance to the most important central object of the scene. 2. Choose a camera lens focal length. Keep in mind that since the camera and aiming point are moving parallel and a part of snapshot from the left and from the right are going to be lost. 3. Choose the stereobase.

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4. Always check whether any important objects are in the working frame area. To check move the camera to an extreme left position and make sure the scene is located inside the frame borders. After that move the camera to the extreme right position and make sure the scene is also located within the frame borders (picture 3.1.2). 5. Move the camera in the middle of the stereobase. 6. Establish correct exposure, aperture and distance to the central scene object. It is desirable to switch the camera to the manual mode for that, because when you will move the camera along a scene the illumination may vary a little and camera auto detection will bring up all the corrections, therefore you will receive a series of frames with different brightness and color saturation. 7. Move the camera to an extreme left position (keep all previous camera settings the same) make a snapshot (frame). Move the camera to the right in equal steps up to complete size of the stereobase is achieved and make a series of snapshots. It is very important do not mix the sequence of the different frames because it is required at interlacing since the files should be entered one after another into the interlacing software. On digital cameras each frame has its sequence number. Never forget to begin shooting from the left, then the extreme left snapshot will always have the least number, and the extreme right one will have the greatest number. 8. It is very convenient to divide all the files to the frame series that will be used to make a three dimensional photo when you transfer your files from the camera to your computer. Each frame series should be placed into a separate folder on the computer’s hard drive. For photographing I use the “Sony Cyber Shot DSC-F828” digital camera with 8 mega pixels matrix. It is also possible to use other digital cameras as well as usual film cameras, but in this case it is necessary to scan the films or the prints.

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The good result you will get with cameras that have the several lenses, such as “Nimslo”, “Nishika” and others. In this case you have to scan the film or printed snapshots and proceed to chapter 4. Besides, it is a good idea to use a tripod add-on that can help you to take the several frames easily and quickly.

3.5 Tripod Add-on for multishooting The process of stereo (multi-) shooting is more complicated because you have to take several pictures, not just one like in an ordinary photography. Of course, it brings some limitations. For example, it is impossible to shoot a moving object. But even if you would like to shoot a motionless object, like a beautiful flower, you have to shoot the several frames as fast as you can, because during the multishooting some conditions can be changed. For example, the people could appear in your scene, the cloud could hide the sun light; the light wind could swing your flower and so on. Moreover the camera must be moved on the same steps. That requirement is the one of the most important for producing the high-quality 3D lenticular pictures. But you are a photographer and your attention has to be involved in a photographic process and released from the careful calculating of each moving step. Therefore a 3D photographer has to have a device that must: •

Accelerate the process of multishooting.

•

Move your camera on the same steps.

•

Allow to choose the different steps.

•

Be easy in use.

•

Be not big and not heavy. Friend of mine from Germany, he is a talented engineer and an enthusiast of 3D

photography, Georg Mainow, designed and made a nice Tripod Add-on (picture 3.5.1).

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Picture 3.5.1 It is a compact and light device. This Tripod Add-on has just 31 cm of length but it can move your camera up to 66 cm (pictures 3.5.2, 3.5.3, 3.5.4, 3.5.5, 3.5.6). That allows you to take a 3D picture of object that could be remote from you up to 100-200 meters.

Picture 3.5.2

Picture 3.5.3

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Picture 3.5.4

Picture 3.5.5

Picture 3.5.6 The Tripod Add-on has seven lines. Each line consists of 12 holes located on the same distance from each other (picture 3.5.7).

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Picture 3.5.7 These lines have the steps of 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm. Therefore the maximum camera shift with using these lines could be 44 mm, 66 mm, 88 mm, 110 mm, 165 mm, 220 mm and 330 mm. That is enough to take pictures with a distance to an object from 20 centimeters up to 15 - 20 meters. That covers most of cases that photographer needs. Moreover you have to choose the line of holes that you need and then just push the camera button and move your camera up to click (picture 3.5.8). So, you do not need to notice on ruler. Just move your camera and listen the "click" sound. The stereobase depends on a scene. The ruler and quantity of necessary steps depends on the stereobase. For example, to shoot a stereo portrait from 1 – 1.5 meters distance, the stereobase should be 6 cm. Then using a ruler with a 6 mm step it is possible to make eleven frames. And if we take an advantage of 10 mm step we will make seven frames.

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Picture 3.5.8 If you would like to have the total shift more then 33 cm, you can attach two rulers on the back of the tripod add-on and move your camera checking the steps with them (picture 3.5.9).

Picture 3.5.9 You could see the tripod add-on complete set on the pictures 3.5.10, 3.5.11 and 3.5.12

Picture 3.5.10

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Picture 3.5.11

Picture 3.5.12 I am glad to inform you that now you can order this tripod add-on right from my website http://www.3dphotopro.com/add-on.html. After ordering, your device will be made in 5 10 business days and sent to you by mail.

4. The frames inclination angle correction * The further work on lenticular three dimensional picture manufacturing is going to be processed via computer. The first thing we have to do is to correct the frames inclination angle. The tripod add-on could incline during shooting because of the camera weight. As the result we will get frames at different angles (picture 4.1).

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Picture 4.1

5. Snapshots alignment by “zero” point * Snapshots alignment by “zero” point is a very important process. The three dimensional picture’s quality depends on it. A “zero” point is a point that coincides in all 3D picture snapshots. If a “zero” point of one snapshot does not coincide with the same point of other snapshot then lenticular 3D picture is going to be unclear and blurred. Therefore precision of the snapshots “zero” point alignment of the images should be very high, up to one pixel.

6. Printing process calibration, interlacing and printing * 6.1 Factors that affect the printing accuracy * 6.1.1 Paper deformation caused by impregnation of printer ink * 20

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6.1.2 Printing inaccuracy of a printer * 6.1.3 Step deviation of the lenticular lenses from nominal value * 6.2 Calibration of the printing process * 6.3 Interlacing * 6.4 The interlaced image printing *

7. Example of making 3D lenticular picture using “PhotoProjector” and “ViewsAligner” software * 7.1 Making the pitch test using “PhotoProjector” software * 7.2 The frame’s alignment using “ViewsAligner” software * 7.3 Process of interlacing using “PhotoProjector” software *

8. Laminating * Laminating or gluing of the interlaced image to a lenticular lens sheet is the one of the most crucial moments. If lenticular lens and image are not glued precisely (the interlaced lines of the image and lens are not parallel) then you will see the moving inclined, wavy strips on a lenticular three dimensional picture.

8.1 Alignment lenticular lenses sheet and printed interlaced image * 8.2 Laminating *

9. Making lenticular Flip pictures * 21

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10. Example of making Flip lenticular picture using “PhotoProjector” software * 10.1 Making the pitch test using “PhotoProjector” software* 10.2 Frame’s preparation * 10.3 Process of interlacing using “PhotoProjector” software* 10.4 How to reduce the “ghost” effect using “PhotoProjector” software *

11. Conclusion * * - These information you will be able to read in the full version of this manual only. Please, go to http://www.3DPhotoPro.com/3dbook/3dbook.html and order it.

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