Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Making a 3D Anaglpyh Image

Follow John Watkinson (w/Robinson, Cordia and Amara) through this step-by-step video tutorial and learn how to make the best 3D anaglyph images. Unlike most of these kinds of still images that we've been able to find, John's method gives the illusion of fully modeled space, w/parts of the image appearing to protrude out, into space, other parts at approximately the middle ground (or image/screen plane) and other areas behind and even deep in the background. A key to enhancing this effect is to compose your subjects so that there is an obvious sense of perspective, or deep space, in your set up, keep the main subject and background people steady (movement from one frame to the next will obscure the effect--still life compositions are easier, but less dramatic), and use lots of light, but not the flash (the flash will create harsh shadows from 2 different angles when you move the camera--you need the lighting to be consistent even if the camera angle isn't). Also, even though you only need two images to combine into the final product, you might take several sets of 2 as there's still an element of hit or miss in this process. Don't get discouraged if it takes a few tries to get a good grouping of images. You'll get it sooner than you think. You also want to keep track of which shot is the left eye angle and which is the right. That will be important when you composite the pictures in Photoshop. And it all goes better w/Mos Def. It's all in the video. Enjoy, and have fun making some anaglyph images of your own. AND PLEASE UPLOAD OR LINK TO YOUR RESULTS IN THE COMMENTS FIELD.

Click to enlarge

Tuesday, May 18, 2010 How to Make Anaglpyh (Red/Blue) 3D Glasses

Here's a short/sweet video I found that shows you all you need to know in about a minute. You'll need a pair or two of these for our upcoming posts. And you might want to pick up some Curtis Mayfield audio files for background music when you're making your glasses (it definitely makes a difference).



If you're like me, or you have a personal shopper, you can order the glasses in bulk from the same place we keep getting them from:

http://www.rainbowsymphonystore.com/red-blue-paper-3d-glasses.html

Here's a link to a world of anaglyph imagery and fun stuff:

http://nzphoto.tripod.com/sterea/anaglyph_links.html


Most of the sample images here and elsewhere that I've found on the web are pretty much limited to the 3D effect happening behind the plane of the screen; not much seems to be "coming at ya." I've also found that to often be the case with some of the attempts I've made in this area. However, John Watkinson (a volunteer/mentor at our clubhouse) and I (but mostly him) have been developing a new "recipe" for adding more modeled depth to 3D anaglyph imagery that definitely captures the illusion of space both within and in front of the screen. The results so far have been pretty impressive. The next post will be a demo of that technique using a hand-held, point and shoot digital camera and Photoshop. The results are fairly easy to achieve and can be accomplished by anyone with even a minimal grasp of the camera or the software. Stay tuned.

Other activities that go nicely with Curtis Mayfield's music: styling, interpersonal relationships, beverage appreciation, chilling, driving, serious thinking or light banter, admiring flowing patterns of smoke, strolling purposefully down the street, etc., etcetera. Please feel free to expand this list in the comments.

Thursday, May 13, 2010 Autodesk 3ds Max - Animate Your World

Autodesk 3D Max - Animate Your World from Computer Clubhouse on Vimeo.