Talk:Autostereogram

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Autostereogram is a featured article; it (or a previous version of it) has been identified as one of the best articles produced by the Wikipedia community. If you can update or improve it, please do.

Autostereogram appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page as Today's featured article on September 8, 2006.

Autostereogram has had a peer review by Wikipedia editors which is now archived. It may contain ideas you can use to improve this article.

This article has been selected for Version 0.5 and the next release version of Wikipedia. This Engtech article has been rated FA-Class on the assessment scale.

[edit] Different types of autostereograms

We are trying to come to an agreement on various ways to classify and name different kinds of autostereograms. Please add your ideas in this section. Fred Hsu 02:03, 2 June 2006 (UTC)

Autostereograms

1. Text/ASCII Stereogram
 1.1 Text Floaters
 1.2 Hidden Image Text Stereogram
 1.3 Pop-up words Text Stereogram
2. SIRDS - Single Image Random Dot Stereogram
3. SITS - Single Image Textured Stereogram
 3.1 Unmapped Texture Stereogram
 3.2 Mapped Texture Stereogram
 3.3 Contour Stereograms
4. Array Object Stereogram
 4.1 Flat Objects Stereogram
 4.2 3D objects Stereogram
 4.3 Morphing objects Stereogram
 4.4 Solid Array Stereogram
 4.5 Cloud Stereograms
5. Vector Based Stereograms - http://torina.fe.uni-lj.si/~zlobec/sang/sang2.html

Description of each type:

1. Text/ASCII Stereogram A Text column either random or specific is used as a repeatable pattern. While Text Floaters (1.1) type shows same looking text areas at different levels of depth, a Hidden Image Text Stereogram (1.2) shows a relief scene. Because of discreet nature of positions of ASCII characters the 3D image always has limited number of layers.

2. SIRDS - Single Image Random Dot Stereogram. A dot with random color is used for all connected points (*explaining diagram needed) in a row. Number of levels of hidden relief scene is limited by a maximum number of pixels between maximum and minimum parallax.

3. SITS - Single Image Textured Stereogram A color image is used as a base pattern. Special algorithm copies the pattern with a horizontal shift which depends on relief of a hidden elevation(depth) map. Unmapped Texture Stereogram (3.1) is a most popular type of stereograms because of an ease of its production. Mapped Texture Stereogram (3.2) requires adjusting position and scale of the pattern along with creating specific texture which corresponds with hidden objects and their elements. Mapping allows to show details and desired colors on specific spots of hidden scene. Because of repeatable nature of Single Image Stereogram all connected points should look same, thus not all parts of hidden scene can have their own color. In other words one dot of the pattern will be assigned to many points in one row.

4. Array Object Stereogram These stereograms do not contain hidden image. They consist of an arrays of cloned objects distributed along horizontal line. The distance between objects (parallax) defines virtual level of depth on which the objects will be observed. Flat Objects Stereogram (4.1) uses array of same images which will look flat inside a stereogram. 3D Objects Stereogram (4.2) uses array of images that each one represents different view of virtual 3D object. Certain rotation of each image will reproduce stereoscopic relief of all objects in array. Morphing objects Stereogram (4.2) have an array of objects each one slightly differ from one next to it. Although it causes retinal rivalry this technique allows to vary object's color or shape in one array. Solid Array Stereogram (4.4) consists of 3D objects connected each to other. Instead of rotation a taper modifier is used to create stereoscopic effect and to preserve array's integrity.

See Relevant discussion in the 3D Stereogram Forum.

[edit] Unfinished tasks from peer review

[edit] Jan van Male

• These images are purely made for recreational purposes?
• Are there any limits on the size of the depicted objects?

.....

• Recreational: some people claim autostereograms actually help correct eye problems (assuming that you are using wall-eyed viewing). I think this may be true, but I haven't yet come across real evidence/literature on this. The two-image version (those viewed under stereoscope) actually helped the military discover camouflaged ground vehicles. But... err... yeah, they are mainly for recreation.
• Size: I am not sure what you mean by size. Is it the overal size of the hidden 3D image (that is, the physical dimension of the stereogram - A4, legal, poster size, etc.)? Do you mean the physical distance between the repeating patterns? These all depend on the viewing distance. I was able to see the autostereograms in this article projected on a 12-foot screen, but it required extreme eye divergence. It took me quite a while to master that. Another reviewer in the article discussion page also asked about this. I think I'll add a subsection on this.

• Recreational: Single Image Stereograms can be used where ever a stereoscopic presentation of clear relief needed in full screen. For instance - watching elevation maps in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) applications and results of electron microscope, previewing Objects in 3D modeling tools. But because not everybody can view Stereograms, they may be just useless. Also they (SIS) can be used for any purposes where hidden but readable information needed, like answers for a task, not annoying advertising messages, serial numbers and IDs. I would love to have a credit card with hidden number ;)

[edit] Older stuff

is that the only PD example you have? It's has extremely limited contrast for the square and will be hard for inexperianced people to image (it's also _small_) Rick Boatright 22:00, 16 Mar 2004 (UTC)

It's my first image upload and there's a lot of stuff about not making images too big, so I erred on the small side. All I've got is an un-cropped version. What do you mean by contrast? That the square doesn't 'jump out' enough? Please understand that these are time-consuming to make by hand, so if I'm to change it I need to know everything that's wrong with it. --rparle 22:08, Mar 16, 2004 (UTC)

Boy, I know they're time consuming to make by hand. I can't imagine. Ick. But here's the thing. Make a thumbnail with a caption of "too small to view for effect" and link to the full sized image. I _think_ that to get a reasonable "pop" you're going to have to approach 500 pixels wide.... There are times and places that a big image is appropriate. Rick Boatright 00:05, 17 Mar 2004 (UTC)

I've got a few skeletons of pictures lying around and I've got a pretty good idea of what I'm doing right and wrong with them, so I should be able to do one with better contrast and maybe (if we're lucky) a more interesting shape. I'd love to do the wikipedia logo, or at least it's silouette. --rparle 03:12, Mar 17, 2004 (UTC)

The one I've put up now is much higher contrast then the first. It's big enough to see pretty easily I think. --rparle 20:01, Mar 18, 2004 (UTC)

MUCH BETTER! Rick Boatright 05:57, 19 Mar 2004 (UTC)

Thanks for the help Rick, I'm pleased with the current image. It's nice to know that someone is actually seeing the work I've done. --rparle 16:30, Mar 19, 2004 (UTC)

I removed the following line because I had no clue what it was meant to say. If someone wants to clarify, be my guest:

The fact is that there is a clear limit on how much the eyes can go away from each other, it is when there are parallel : about 6 centimeters away.

--Rory ☺ 01:14, Jul 8, 2004 (UTC)

I added quite a few images and paragraphs. Due to server problem, I didn't edit my writing carefully. If anyone is interested in editing my writing, please go ahead. Also, I'll be adding more stuff to the "How To See Them" section in the near future. Fred 2005 Mar 7

Well, the first draft for this page is finished. The article now has expanded How Do They Work and How To See Them sections each with its own subsections. The next step is to expand History and Refererence sections. Fred Hsu 01:10, 13 Mar 2005 (UTC)

[edit] limitations

is there a publication of researh on the limitation? i.e. to what extend this method can create illusion of 3D? For example, apparently it can only emulate surfaces, i.e. the viewing angle is only some 20 degrees. For fine can the 3d object illusion be achieved? e.g. can it emulate a mesh of wire? is it possible to extend this method to include color? ... Xah Lee 19:00, 2005 Feb 6 (UTC)

I added a dozen of examples to illustrate some of the issues you brought up. Due to wikipedia server problems, the editing process took 5 times longer than it would have under normal conditions. But this is my first wikipedia editing... perhaps this is the norm :( I will add more paragraphs in the future to address other questions. For instance, the limit for the perceived depth of image is the distance between repeated patters. The limit for the resolution of depth is the physical size of each pixel. Fred 2005 Mar 7

[edit] Temporarily removed content

I am replacing this image with a color random dot stereogram showing the same shark used in other illustrations in this article. I don't want to lose the original image. So I moved it here temporarily. Fred Hsu 04:22, 14 Mar 2005 (UTC)

This example is a random dot stereogram featuring a two raised boxes on a flat background. The boxes appear closer than the background because the distance between repeats on the squares is ten pixels shorter than on the background.

On this one I sometimes see two boxes floating in front of two floating rectangles. --Gbleem 04:03, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

Yes, it is possible to see towers of blocks 2, 3, and 4 levels high - I haven't managed 5 yet. Is the general mechanism for this mentioned in the article? -Tim Rawlinson 12:38, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Image size

The example images on this article are display small enough on the screen I'm using today that they are difficult to view, on Magic Eye's old scale I would say they require advanced technique. They could be a maximum of 550 pixels wide per Wikipedia:Image use policy#Displayed image size. On this monitor that only creates line breaks in the "3 Mechanisms for viewing" subheadings on the table of contents. I propose that we display the images at maximum size for ease of viewing and additioinally that we shorten those subsection headings to "3D perception" "Creating/Simulation/? 3D perception" and "Tips". Hyacinth 05:40, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

The reduced versions of images are not really meant to be "viewed" as displayed. As it stands, people already complain about number of images in this article compared the length of text (it's quite abnormal by wiki standard). If every image is displayed full size in place, the article will look really awful. I hope people click on images they find interesting to see it full-size... Fred Hsu 01:38, 2 June 2006 (UTC)

I just renamed the 3 subsections. Thanks for the suggestions. Fred Hsu 01:44, 2 June 2006 (UTC)

I restored the lead picture to standard lead image size. See how people don't use big images even on articles on paintings: The Last Supper (Leonardo). Also notice that I added "click on thumbnail to see full-size image" on the image description. I think it is common practice to use thumbnail images and rely on readers to click on them: Wikipedia:Picture_tutorial#Resizing.

This is not the same thing. I can see the large details of The Last Supper in the thumbnail (guys around a long table) while most users would not be able to see the one large figure in Image:Stereogram Tut Random Dot Shark.png. Hyacinth 21:35, 6 June 2006 (UTC)

But users can see it is an autostereogram, and that this is what they look like. If they want to invest the time and effort to see the image, they can click on it as clearly indicated in the caption. Skittle 22:24, 6 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] This is a Good Article

After reviewing the article, I've determined it to meet the qualifications for Good Article status. It's a nice piece of work, and its clear that the authors have gone to great lengths to aquire books for references. I can tell its come a long way with the FA/N and the peer review, and things are well within GA levels.

I don't have many specific comments for further improvement at the moment, however, continued work in image sizing and positioning for good viewing in all browsers would be recommended. I'm viewing in an 8x6 Firefox window, default skin, and while things look good for the most part, there is a little overlapping in the Simple Wallpaper section. Nothing bad, but its worth continued tweaking, and testing in various window sizes and browsers.

If you desire more clarification on my reasoning for promotion, just leave me a message on my talk page. Good work, everyone! Phidauex 15:45, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

• I haven't experimented further with image size/placement after the article was rewritten. But at that time, it was very hard to make images look OK for all situations. The main problem was the sheer number of images accompanying short paragraphs. I will give it another try in the future. Fred Hsu 00:45, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

• And, thanks to everyone for your suggestions, reviews and promotion. Fred Hsu 00:45, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Creating Autosterograms

Is there a way to create a Autostereogram on your computer? Or turn a image you have into a Autostereogram? Caleb09 00:09, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

Just search for autostereogram software on goggle. There are quite a few free programs you can download. I wrote my own after I figured out how autostereograms work. But it is too crude and specialized that I don't want to make it available to unsuspecting public. You can also head over to the 3D Single Image Stereogram discussion group. There is a Links page to lots of autostereogram sites (images and software). But you need to join the group first. Fred Hsu 00:30, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Regain stereo vision

I know I heard a story on the radio about a woman who regained her stereo vision on our local public radio station. Not sure what program. --Gbleem 03:40, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

I found it. NPR story --Gbleem 03:58, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

• Yes, I heard this one on WNYC as well. Needless to say, I captured my attention right away. But I am not sure if this is a one-off miracle that happens to 1 in million people with amblyopia, or a real, new medical fact. I'll follow up on this. Fred Hsu 08:54, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

Wonder if it is true that you can only lack this ability to see what is not there, if your eyes are bad(..how bad?) when ur a kid. Perhaps i should start staring half hours at these pics? I anyhow dont have lazy eyes, or lack off stereoscopic vision (there is a whole lot of difference for me watching the real 3d world from watching flat pictures) However i am shortsighted all my life, is that the answer? Can't help but being curious to know wether i would see the effect when i trie for more then halfhours.80.57.242.54 07:34, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

• You need stereopsis in order to see autostereograms. But stereopsis is only one of the many mechanisms used by the brain to reconstruct stereo shapes (binocular vision). What you experience as 3D vision may in fact some from other visual cues. There is a simple way to check. Get yourself a stereoscope and see if you can see 3D images. If you can, then you will eventuall be able to train yourself to see autostereograms. Fred Hsu 08:54, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

So the head should be: regain stereoptic vision. I tried stereoscope, i think, it must have worked. However probably i underdeveloped the issue wich having to do so much with contours only makes sense. As a child already i thought intelligence was helped by shortsightedness (sublimalisation of essentials) , and tiring of stereoscopic experiments indeed (rea)points to human's visual intelligence. more stereopsis feels nice(pretty), but when the gorilla has to choose between a banana and an office-job:)(80.57.242.54 09:23, 9 September 2006 (UTC))

[edit] Plane

The caption for Image:Stereogram_Tut_Clean.png says "The illusion of a plane lying behind the wall is created by the brain." I was expecting to see an aeroplane rather than a plane (mathematics). --Henrygb 08:40, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

• Yes, if a new reader first looks through images/captions in the article, the word "plane" can indeed be mistaken for "aeroplane". I added "(flat surface)" to that caption, for now. Fred Hsu 09:02, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Accidental Stereogram

I merged this into the Animated section for the time being. I can't verify this at the moment as I do not have access to CRT monitors. But I'll verify this later today. 09:20, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

It's quite an informative article, I feel.

[edit] Well Done

Well done to all in getting this to FA standard and on the main page. I still think it's one of the best articles I've ever seen on Wikipedia. Skittle 11:41, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

Dittos on that. A very interesting and informative article. Many thanks to all the collaborators! Erzahler 21:34, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Autostereogram reversing program?

I know there are computer programs to change images into autostereograms, but is there a program to take an autostereogram, analyze the image and the repetition within, and output what it's supposed to show a person (so that a person, for instance, with an eye problem, could see the image)?

Also, was my question stated clear enough so that you could understand it? (some people have trouble understanding the way I ask questions)

• Very clear. I have thought about writing such program myself. It is not as easy as producing one. The brain is truly an incredible organ. But yes, it can be done, and perhaps someone has already done that... Fred Hsu 14:03, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

Check out this website! It runs a Flash application. You can paste an URL to an autostereogram JPG, and adjust the Focus slider (you may need to page up to see the two sliders) until you see the hidden 3D shape, without using stereopsis. You can use one of the 5 built-in jpg files, or try "http://www.fred-hsu.com/game/Stereogram_Tut_Shark.jpg" and move the Focus slider to the right (about 1/4 from the right). Fred Hsu 03:28, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

This site from the same author allows you to construct URL with your own image and focus factor. php version Fred Hsu 06:07, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Introductory sentence

The introductory sentence currently reads: "An autostereogram is a single-image stereogram (SIS), designed to trick human eyes and brains into seeing a three-dimensional (3D) scene in a two-dimensional image." As the "How they work" section explains, stereopsis occurs in the brain not in the eye. The eyes are not "tricked" as they just gather information. -AED 15:31, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

• Thank you very much for helping to make this article better. Fred Hsu 23:20, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] this article doesn't make the slightest sense

boooh!

It's a schooner! --Bobak 17:07, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Very cool

• Well written article on a cool subject. Great pick for the front page. Props to everyone involved in writing this. Wickethewok 18:24, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Image placement

I temporarily removed these two changes. Image placement in this article is pretty tricky (see comments in Peer review and feature article candidate pages). After today's flurry of activities die down, we should reconsider image placement again.

• 15:34, September 8, 2006 Celardore (Talk | contribs) (→Random-dot - Removed image that is already in the header of the article.)
• 15:30, September 8, 2006 Orayzio (Talk | contribs) m (→Simple wallpaper - fix image overlap)

[edit] Viewing tips for this article

• Keep trying with the reduced-size images, as they require less eye movement than the full-sized images. I can only see the full-size images cross-eyed. Gazpacho 22:08, 8 September 2006 (UTC)
• Adjust your monitor so that the screen is perpendicular to your line of sight. Gazpacho 22:08, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

Will incorporate these into the article soon. Fred Hsu 23:18, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Good sentence structure?

"In order to perceive 3D shapes in these autostereograms, the brain must decouple focusing operations of the eyes from convergence."

This quotation from the introduction of the page sounds as though it is grammatically incorrect, but I'm not sure if some of the terms are technical terms that I just don't understand.

Please take a look at it.

Thanks. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Mikerobe007 (talk • contribs) .

It looks fine to me. Here's how I parse it: (In order to perceive 3D shapes (in these autostereograms),) the brain must decouple ((focusing operations) of the eyes) from (convergence). —Keenan Pepper 02:11, 9 September 2006 (UTC)

Hey, Keenan, in a few days, I'll try to make sense of all new stuff added into this article, and do a first round of copyediting. I'll ask you to proofread one more time when I am done, if you don't mind. Hopefully, wiki's built-in diff will be good enough to allow you to quickly look at new changes. I've noticed that when a paragraph is split into two, the diffing process gets really confused. Fred Hsu 04:10, 9 September 2006 (UTC)

Sure, no problem. —Keenan Pepper 18:32, 9 September 2006 (UTC)