3D Stereoscopic Images
In order to create an anaglyph image, we will first create a simple 3D image using the free 3D Crafter software. Then the image will be cropped and the background removed using another freeware program, Paint.Net. We will save the image as a GIF image since this format supports transparent backgrounds. The two final images will also be saved as JPG images since the freeware program Anaglyph Maker only uses BMP or JPG images.
Since I abhor "death by power-point", I will include the next 20 steps or so right here on a howto page. So let's get started. I have captured the 3DCrafter images with ScreenShotCaptor, yet again another freeware program with a lot of great features.
1. Get started with 3DCrafter to create a simple 3D image.
2. Place a cube in the layout by dragging the cube icon to the image layout.
3. Once the cube is in the scene, move the laoyout to better show the cube.
4. Now to color the cube light blue.
5. Select the Fill Tool to add some color the object.
6. Color the cube light blue.
7. Now use the same six steps to add a Torus to the layout. Then use the Component Tool to select the Torus.
8. Now let us color the Torus Orange, again a clolor other than a lens color. Since the Torus looks a little ragged, Right Click on the object and click on smooth to add more detail to the mesh.
9. Click on the Camera Icon to see what the captured image will look like. Don't save the image since the black background will be a problem with anaglyphs. We might also reposition the animation camera to get a better angle on the objects.
10. Change the background by right clicking on an empty space on the layout and choose Scene Properties.
11. Reposition the animation camera to center the components. Use the camera Icon to capture your image. Note the location where you saved the image. The image will need to be cropped and converted to transparent background.
12. Open the image with Paint.Net and crop the selection to show only the two components.
13. Now remove the background by selecting the "Magic Wand" tool. Set the percentage at the top of the page to about 15% and clcik on the background. Then press the keyboard [Delete] Key to remove the selected color.
14. Open ANA1.gif with Paint.Net and use the (upper left) Rectangle Select tool, or press the [S] key to select only the two components. Then press the [M] key on the keyboard to choose the Move Tool. Use the keyboard [Left Arrow Key] to move the components to the left about 1/8 inch. Save this image as ANA1L.gif and ANA1L.jpg. Repeat this step and move the components to the right 1/8 inch and save as ANA1R.gif and ANA1R.jpg.
15. Start Anaglyph Maker and use the two ANA1L and ANA1R images to create a stereocopic 3D image. Choose the image type from the menu and view the image. Try reversing the left and right images to get the image to be projected in front of the screen. The best results are viewed as Interleave using theater style polarized glasses. The ViewSonic V3D231 monitor provides excellent color accuracy when using interleaved images with passive polarized glasses.
