Anaglyph images are made up of two colour layers (usually red and cyan). Images are then superimposed but slightly offset, and when viewed with 3D glasses, our amazingly clever brains interpret these as three dimensional images. Traditional anaglyph images are taken using two cameras placed at different angles (or using a camera like the one below) but duplicating a single 2D image will give a similar effect.
Anaglyphs have inspired works in all kinds of mediums and are particularly popular with illustrators and graphic designers (they make great t-shirt designs!). Here’s some inspiration from around the interweb:
Tools of the trade: A Kodak Stereo Camera
Anaglyphic typography from posttypography.com and Stephan Maximilian Huber
Anaglyphic illustration from Jason Little
And some inspiration from our own talented bubblers:
The examples above show just how cool these images can be without 3D glasses but if you’re keen for a bit of 3D madness, then hold the phone. Mr Baxter has spent the weekend in the shed whipping up not one but two prototypes. All you need is a printer, some cardboard and a little bit of blue and red cellophane or acetate and you could be the proud wearer of a pair of these babies. We have the streamlined, customisable version for the more design concious, or the Baxter Special for those who are looking for something a little more funktastic. Clickety click here for the blueprints (and if you make some, we want to see photos!).
If you’d like to totally absorb yourself in the world of anaglyphs, strap on your 3D glasses and dive into some of these web based 3D wonderlands:
- Anaglyph Shooting Gallery (An addictive anaglyph game)
- Neave Anaglyph (Doodle in 3D using this online app)
- Snowdin (See below … or just go there. It’s awesome.)
We’ve also got our very own Anaglyph World group on RedBubble which is ready and waiting for your works. So your challenge for this week is to absorb yourself in the world of anaglyphs. We’d like to see images of your customised 3D glasses and art, photography and design inspired by anaglyphs. Please post your results below so we can marvel at how incredibly intelligent and inventive you are.
Here are some links to get you started with your own Anaglyph creations. You should probably take your 3D glasses off before you try and read the instructions:
- Create 3D Anaglyphs in Photoshop
- Create 3D Anaglyphs in the GIMP
- How to make 3D Anaglyph Images using Photoshop (video plus some sample images)
Good luck!
Nat
See here for instructions on how to post your images.
Jo O'Brien
Mr Baxter kindly did all the cutting out for me. What a gentleman.
Ann Warrenton
Wow, interesting, thanks
WaWa by Johnah
Stunning Jo! lol
Isa Rodriguez
wha!!!!!!!!!!!.. amazing.. . way to go bubblers..
Tania Rose
the nosehole on the Baxter Goggles is a standout!
Duncan Waldron
Anaglyphs are all very well, but for a full-colour 3D experience, learn to cross your eyes and view these examples:
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I’ve been thinking about putting some of these on RB :)
DeviousLili
I’ve got a lazy left eye (truth) and have never been able to use 3D glasses effectively. :(
monocotylidono
Thank you Nat! It’s great to see 3D photography getting a push in RB, and thanks for featuring my 3D shot above! I woulre really love to see some 3D work submitted to the Anaglyph group. HOWEVER – Please note that duplicating (displacing) a 2D image and creating a red and blue rendition, as you imply above and as some of the examples here show, does not make a 3D image! The two images have to have been taken from a different perspective to create a sense of depth. Please see here for a longer explanation. If anyone is interested in more details on how to make real 3D Anaglyphs (like the one below) just using your normal digital camera, drop me a bmail and I’ll be happy to explain further. George
Roz McQuillan
Wow! I’m so glad I kept those disposable 3D glasses!
mingtees
Daily i learn new things. Never knew this.
Gordon Pressley
taiche
Not good if you are blind in one eye …lol
As a child never understood the craze for 3D glasses! Missed out on ….eerrr nothing lol
Anne van Alkemade
I am always soooo jealous of others when I see these for two reasons – I can’t see the 3D image (something to do with astigmatism in one eye or some central processing disorder); and looking at these images make me feel quite ill even when motionless … ironicallly something to do with motion sickness. So why, oh why did I look? I’m with Taiche on this.
asmallvictory
Illustrators/designers should check out this tutorial for creating anaglyphic illustrations from Computer Arts magazine. And there’s a great clip on the making of an anaglyph animation over here.
robpixaday
Oh, WOW!! this ia the coolest ever…seriously. I didn’t know what “anaglyphs” were…thought they were rubbings onto paper of metal surfaces with charcoal or something like that (goofy, hunh?)…this is WONDERFUL information!!!! And links!!! And 3D glasses to make!!!! Hot diggety!!!!!!
I’m going to try an anaglyph!
Last week I told a friend that being part of RedBubble is like living on campus of the most brilliant art school in history, and this post is an example of that. MANY MANY thanks!!!!!!!!!
robpixaday
Whoa…maybe I can make this image anaglyph-y; it’s already looking something like that in places:
In Paradisum Deducant Te Angeli
Thank you again!!!!
mrscarlotta
Brilliant shit, love it, have to have a go at it, thanks, mind blowing viewing xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
van049
Whoaa!! Love the Anaglyph creations; Mr.Baxter, you did quite well!!!xx