Stereo Pairs: Let Your Brain Do the Work

Viewing this first very minimal stereo pair will demonstrate the slight amount of crossing your eyes involved in convergent stereo viewing. In this first pair, the goal is simply to see the two thick lines converge so that you see them as one. Vertically place an index finger flat on your monitor to cover the line that divides the two squares. Focus on your finger and very slowly withdraw it toward your eyes, still focusing on your finger as it obstructs your view of that center line. As you slowly withdraw your finger away from the monitor toward your eyes, retaining your focus on it, you’ll notice in the background a third area gradually opening behind your finger. Still focusing on your finger, when it’s about 6 to 8 inches in front of your eyes, lower your finger slowly, retaining the same focus. With a little practice you’ll be able to concentrate on the new square in the center (flanked by the two original square areas) with its now single thick black vertical line.

Try this next stereo pair using the same method. Now when the thick lines and red dots converge and become one image, the red dots will seem to float above the black line in 3D space.

Here’s a simple complete 3D image. The more you practice, the easier it will become. I want to present one more suggestion and more stereo-pair images, but I’ll save all that, along with links to other 3D sites, for my new 3D blog here.