Carina in 3D - Stereo & GIF Animation

[dylan_odonnell]

So, inspired by Evans recent 3d Lagoon post I had another go at this 3D stuff. Gosh it's a process! The subject is my recent Carina Nebula reprocessed as Bicolour (Ha+OIII).

If you don't know how or simply can't go cross-eyed to see the 3D effect you can view the animated GIF version here : http://deography.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/3D-Carina-1.gif

High res 3D Stereo version here : http://deography.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/3D-Carina-Stereo.jpg

Hope it works for you!

d

[AG Hybrid]

I love that. I love that so much. What a wonderful effect.

[multiweb]

That's amazing Dylan. Very cool. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[dylan_odonnell]

Thanks guys! The 3d stereo pair is much cooler to view than the animation if you can do it.

Here is a high level description of the process :

1) remove all stars form your main image into a new starless version.
2) do an apply image -> subtraction from the main image with the starless one so you end up with a file that just the stars
3) Make a copy of the starless nebula image and make it greyscale and save as PSD
4) apply the filter "displace" 10-20 pixels horizontal only to the starless nebula doc using the greyscale "heat map" .. this basically converts B&W luminosity to depth .. white is far away, black is close.
5) Add your stars back in, in layers (e.g. faint stars on one layer, medium stars on another, big stars on another) and push them left or right if you want them closer or further. e.g. move a bright star 30 pixels to the right and it will seem very close to you.
6) The original image is the Left and the starless one you "displaced" and added the stars back in as layers becomes the Right image. Merge as a stereo document or Animated GIF

It's not very scientific but it sure is pretty :)

d

[middy]

That's fantastic. Love it. :thumbsup:

Have you tried it the inverse way; making the light areas closer and the dark areas further away? Was just curious what that would look like.

[dylan_odonnell]

In theory that can be achieved just by swapping the two frames so left and right and right is left... seems to work! The dark nebula look like trenches and valleys now :)

d

[dylan_odonnell]

Wow.. that actually looks amazing reversed!

[multiweb]

Thanks heaps for detailing the steps. Will give it a go. :thumbsup:

[bobbyf]

Love the gif :thumbsup:
It does help visualise it as I can't seem to get it in 3D.
What distance should you be from the screen when you view it, using a typical 20" size monitor?
Thanks

Bob

[middy]

Yeah, I think I prefer the reverse version. It looks more 'explosion' like. :thumbsup:

[Cimitar]

Hi Dylan,

Wow! :eyepop: Great work :thumbsup: .

The 3D result really comes alive when it has a firm foundation to begin with. The detail you've achieved in the nebula is fantastic. The clarity definitely makes the difference when converting to 3D. Mine are still a little soft due to higher ISO's, something I'm aiming to improve upon this year ;)

Question - how did you make the animated GIF? I'm keen to give that a try :)

Cheers, Evan

[Cimitar]

Hi Bob,

I think Dylan used the Cross Vision method for his stereo image. RE: distance, try > 70cm to start off with. Once you get the hang of it, it's possible to stand on the other side of the room and still achieve the 3D effect (sometimes the further away you are the easier it is). :)

To sample cross-vision: hold one finger up at arms length and stare at an imaginary point about 1/2 way between you and your finger so that your eye's gaze is crossing at the half way point. If it works, your finger (and possibly part of your arm as well) becomes 2 with a separation of approximately 10 cms.

To sample parallel-vision: hold one finger up at arms length and stare beyond it. If it works, your finger becomes 2 with a separation of approximately 3 cms.

Cheers, Evan

[Carl]

THat is so cool

Carl

[dylan_odonnell]

Oh hey Evan, thanks!

For the GIF I just used photoshop timeline to flick between the left and right images, which is a "cheap" way to let people unable to do cross or parallel vision see the 3D effect.

I've been watching others play with the same effect and they've been generating multiple frames displaying the stars / nebulas a pixel or two at a time for some really amazing results.

Here is one today where Adam (from the Astro Imaging Channel google hangout) used the same methods to create a beautiful 3D video pan instead of a straight 3D image :

http://www.astrobin.com/238516/0/

Slow version : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWeI1WNwC30&feature=youtu.be

Unreal huh??

d

[cybereye]

Dylan,

Very, very cool!

Cheers,
Mario

[Regulus]

They are individually beautiful images, but the added 3D is fantastic.
Thanks for that.

Trev

[dylan_odonnell]

Thanks fellas!

I'm going to do a quick demo of the technique on the Astro Imaging Channel youtube live stream next Monday (around midday or 1pm our time I think). All you need is a nebula image, preferably without bright stars so making it starless is easy. Then we use the starless version, the normal version, a luminance map and some photoshopping to put it all together and make it 3D. Tune in if it's something you are interested in learning! (Disclaimer, I've only done it twice so it will be like the blind leading the blind).

Live show countdown / video :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1WZGWSAEr8

d