Create Popup Anaglyph


Popup Anaglyph Samples



Please note that in order to reduce download-size, the same dialog-box has been used when describing various operations.
The values displayed are not representative of any particular operation.


'Popup Anaglyphs' (often called phantograms) consist of a pair of carefully-executed images, taken with the camera pointing-down, normally at 45 degrees, to the subject.
The camera may be a real camera used with real subjects or a 'virtual camera' used with a scene rendered with a 3D modelling program such as Bryce.
The perspective distortions, due to the camera-tilt and offset, are corrected by SPM and an anaglyph print is made or the images may be viewed on a monitor laid flat on it's back.
When viewed at the correct angle and distance, the subject appears to popup from the surface in such a realistic manner that you can place a ruler alongside and take measurements.
('Popout Anaglyphs' may be viewed on a normally-oriented monitor at 45 degrees from the side. SPM does not support creation of these).
In principle, they are very simple to make and you may spend minutes or hours on the initial setup.
You simply ensure the unshifted camera is level but tilted-down exactly 45 degrees, is pointed at the exact centre of the subject and the camera and slidebar are exactly parallel to the horizontal guidelines of your grid.
The highest quality, most accurate results require care and attention to detail and there are various working methods.
One possible method is given in this NSA 2004 Tutorial.
(you have to temporarily enable JavaScript for that site).
Some people claim that camera separation should be the same as eye-spacing and not the 1/30 rule.
You may wish to check this.
Calibration marks and horizontal and vertical guidelines should be present on the image, but the background behind the subject can be plain card of a carefully-chosen color to minimise ghosts.
A suitable calibration-grid may be downloaded in ZIP format.
With a certain amount of work, the plain background can be replaced with a texture-image of your choice.
Until you have more experience, it is best to avoid subjects that are too tall.
For beginners, SPM allows the errors in less-than-perfect source-images to be corrected and pleasing results obtained.
You should ensure that there is sufficient 'empty' space around your subject, otherwise the sides may be cut-off when applying the perspective-rotation.
For the following description of the workflow, download image phtg0152 .
Load the pair of images and select 'Adjust/Create Popup Anaglyph'.