Tutorial: Algorithms to Layers

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This laboratory can apply many graphic transformation effects to the Layers and can automatically generate the intermediate frames.

The laboratory can operate on a single Layer or on a sequence of frames.
The ability to operate on a sequence of frames allows you to apply different sequential transformations to the same Layers and therefore achieve an unlimited number or variety of effects.

With "Algorithms to Layers" it is possible to satisfy all the requirements needed for lenticulars but it is also useful for stereo and general graphics animations.
For lenticular images, "Algorithms to Layers" reduces the worktime by a factor of more than 100, improving the production quality by a similar amount.

For all the operations performed in this laboratory, a dynamic preview is always immediately available and every change or correction is readily seen.

The method used for the programmable graphic transformations has been conceived by 3D Gugle and 3D Gugle is the sole owner.

The planning of the transformations is visual and intuitive and generally does not require any learning time.

You determine, in a simple visual way, the start parameters, the number of intermediate frames and the end parameters.

The start parameters are on the left panel of the dialogue and the end parameters are on the right.

The translation functions that will be applied to the Layers are calculated with a new algorithm, conceived by3D Gugle, that is able to determine for every start-point the coordinates of the new destination point in a precise, rapid and consistent way.

This new algorithm finally allows you to obtain the high quality results that are required for lenticulars and the series of intermediate frames is fluid and without jumps.

With 3D Gugle it is possible to create any known type of lenticular effect such as Zoom, Flip, Twist, Morph, Explosion, Turning, Animation, Zigzag, etc. with precision and in a few seconds.

For the "Morph" effect, "Algorithms to Layers" has special controls with which it is possible to apply a "Blend" function at the same time as other independent transformations such as X, Y zoom, X,Y translations, rotation of 360° so that the effect "Morph" is also applicable in a realistic way to the dynamic sequences.

For further information regarding Layers , the extraction procedures, examples and applications see Direct Layers LAB. For information regarding the management and assembly of Layers see: "Layers Assembly LAB".

This laboratory applies programmable algorithms to the Layers to produce the series of intermediate frames.

The intermediate frames produced by "Algorithms to Layers" are new Layers that can be used as such for other 3D Gugle applications that use Layers or frames.

The laboratory can operate in two ways: with only one layer or with a series of frames or Layers.

When it operates on a single Layer the frame produced is a graphic transformation of the original Layer.

When it operates on a series of Layers or Frames, it is possible to operate in two ways: in the way "Normal" way or the "Progressive" way.

In "Normal" mode, the same algorithm with the same parameters is applied to every frame in the series .
For example, rotate all the frames 10°.

In "Progressive" mode, the same algorithm is applied to all the frames in a series but with programmed parameters.
For example, rotate first frame 10° , second frame 20°, third frame 30°, etc.

Multiple algorithms can be applied to the same series of frames, allowing an almost endless variety of graphic effects.
To apply another algorithm to the same series of frames, it is necessary to save the series with "File/Save Frames sequence" and then to open the saved series for applying the next function.

The planning of the algorithms parameters is extremely simple.

The dialogue of "Algorithms to Layers" is separated into two mirrored parts: on the left you set the start parameters of the algorithm, while on the right you set the end parameters.

The number of steps between the start and end parameters is set with the pink Spin buttons "Frame Start" and "Frame End".
The steps set in the Spin buttons correspond to the number of intermediate frames that it is desired to produce.
Remember, however, that the "Layers Assembly" LAB can manage a maximum of 128 Layers and for this reason it is best not to exceed that if it is not essential.

For more detailed information regarding the Layers, see the following 3D Gugle tutorials :

    Direct Layers LAB            To extract the Layers from the images
    Box                                  To extract the Layers from "By Points" method and more...
    Layers Assembly               To assembly and manage the Layers.
    Write LAB                        To create Layers from word or text
    Colored Pencil, Pen             To turn an image to sketches and to create a fantastic Layers
    Stereo Analysis                 To automatically generate the intermediate frames from the interpolation method
    Paint LAB                          To retouch or to clone areas
    Combine LAB                     Maintenance of the Layers.

    Direct Stereo Pairs           To convert an image to a Stereo Pairs
    Direct Anaglyph                To convert an image to an anaglyph
    Direct Depth Map             To create and manage the Depth Map

    Free deformation LAB        To create a free-form virtual depth or to make stereo deformations
    Sphere LAB                       To create a spherical virtual depth or to make deformations
    Depth LAB                         To create a virtual depth or to make deformations
    Resize LAB                        To resize the Layers
    Rotate LAB                        To rotate or flip the Layers

    3D frame moviola               To assembly the left an right frames in stereo side by side
    AVI from frames moviola    To create AVI movie from frames
    Save/resize Batch               To create a inverted serie of frames
    Graphics on frames             To apply a graphics functions on a series of frames
    Frame Utlity                      To apply different graphics operations to a serie of frames

    Stereo Pairs processing      To work with stereo pair images

    Jpeg Analysis                     To correctly save an image using the JPEG format

    Box                                     To crop or to add a mark to your images
    Frame Shop Lab                  To frame a normal o stereo image

    Emboss Depth Emphasize      To add body and form to the images

Save Area Left or Right To save in an independent way the left or the right side of the stereo image

Menu
    File
    Method
    Algorithms
    Window

To start the LAB, select "Movie/Algorithms to Layers".

When the "Algorithms to Layers" LAB is entered, a new dialogue containing all the necessary options for the work is displayed

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The menus "Load Layer" and "Load Frames" operate on a single Layer or on a series of Layers or frames.
The functions of the laboratory are different for "Load Layer" and "Load Frames".

"Load Layer"
With this menu you can open any Layer or image in "*. bmp" format when it is desired to make a stereo or ordinary animation or to produce from a single Layer other intermediate Layers or frames.
For stereo "Algorithms to Layers" work , the required deformations are generally of Type "I"

"Load Frames"
With this menu you load a series of frames or Layers to which you will apply the transformation algorithms.

If the frames are Layers you can be produce new intermediate Layers or frames, while if they are simple frames intended only for movie creation the frames that you produce can only be used for the movie.

When you open a series of frames with this menu, "Method" becomes active and allows you to choose whether to operate in linear or progressive way.
This functionality will be illustrated further on in this document.

The first frame (number zero) determines the dimensions on which to operate and if the following frames have a different dimension the dimension of the first will be used .
This is an important operational advantage because in this way it is possible to operate with varying frame size..

3D Gugle's rules of frames management require that the series of the frames always begin with zero and then continue with a progressive numeration.
If you desire to merge some frames of a group with those of another group it is essential that you use the specific function "Add Frames" of "Movie/Frame Utlity" LAB.

"Load image Blend"
"Load image blend" loads the image that will be used for the "Alpha blend" transparency to produce "Morph" effects.
After loading the Blend image in the menu "Algorithms", sub-menu "Alpha" becomes active.

"Save Frames sequence"
"Save Frames sequence" saves all the frames of the animation between "Frame Start" and "Frame End".
For further information on the use of "Frame Start" and "Frame End" see further on in this document.

3D Gugle can only produce 1024 Frames at a time, equivalent to about one minute of film. However it is better to work on shorter clips so that changes are more easily made.
Also recall, that "Layers Assembly" works with a maximum of 128 Layers.

The frames saved from this laboratory as Frames can be used either for movies or as Layers.

"Save visible image"
With this menu you save the current frame. In other words you save a screenshot in "*.gna" or "*. bmp" format.

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"Normal"
When this menu is selected, "Algorithms to Layers" LAB operates linearly and the right parameters panel is not visible.
To work linearly means applying the same algorithm and parameters to all the series of frames or Layers .
As in the case, for instance, that you want to apply a 10% zoom to all frames.

"Progressive"
When this menu is selected, "Algorithms to Layers" LAB operates progressively and in a programmable way.
To operate progressively means applying the same algorithm to a series of frames or Layers but with programmable parameters.
As in the case, for instance, when you want to apply 10% zoom increments to all the frames.
The first frame has 10% zoom, the second 20%, the third 30%, etc.

When we work with a single Layer, loaded with "Load Layer" "Algorithms to Layers" , the mode is always progressive.

From this menu the algorithm to be applied is selected.
Every algorithm has its own specific parameters and corresponding panels for setting their values.

The "X" and "Y" scrolllbars move the image horizontally or vertically.
The "Rot X" and "Rot Y" scrollbars apply a virtual rotation around the (x) or (y) axes.
The "r" scrollbar determines the sphere radius, negative values producing a convex surface.
The "Zoom " scrollbar determines the total dimension of the image.

The example below shows some effects produced by this algorithm. The source image is on the left.

"Barrel X"
This algorithm applies complex “barrel” effects around the X-axis.
The aspect and functionality of the control is the same as "Sphere".

The film below shows an example of "Barrel X".

"Barrel Y"
This algorithm applies complex “barrel” effects around the Y-axis.
The aspect and functionality of the control is the same as "Sphere".

"Depth"
This algorithm is one of the most important available because it is able to apply a virtual perspective rotation around the vertical axis.
The algorithm is particularly useful when we operate on 3D conversions to provide a simulation of angular rotation to the various objects of the scene.
For the best effect, it is essential that the original figure is well disposed horizontally, in other words the figure must be horizontally-aligned to the centre of the Layer.

The "X" and "Y" scrollbars move the image horizontally or vertically.
The "Rot X" scrollbar determines the rotation around the vertical axis.
The "Rot Y" scrollbar applies a vertical skew to the perspective-rotated image.
The "Zoom " scrollbar determines the total dimension of the image.

"Trapeze"
This algorithm applies complex trapezoid effects..
The aspect and functionality of the control is the same as "Depth".

For the best effect, the original should be symmetrical about the centre of the Layer.

An example movie showing the use of “Trapeze” is shown below.

"Rotation"
This algorithm applies a rotation to the Layers around their centre.
Using the centre of the Layer as a fixed reference and using rotation together with Zoom and Translation (X-Y) allows an interesting effect of parabolic rotation and translation to be created.
If it is desired that the point of rotation should always be on the centre of the main subject, you should use the "Alpha" function that will shortly be described.

The "X" and "Y" scrollbars move the image horizontally and vertically.
The "Rot" scrollbar determines the amount of the rotation.
The "Zoom " scrollbar determines the total dimension of the image.

An example movie showing the use of “Trapeze” together with zoom and translation is shown below.

"Zoom"
In this section you can apply a programmed Zoom.
All the programmable-algorithm dialogues include a zoom transformation but that is not always the most convenient location for the control.
For instance, if a parabolic rotation is performed with zoom from the same rotation panel, in many instances the sequence will be jerky rather than fluid.
This is because the zoom acts in all the directions whereas movement acts in only one direction.
If for instance, every time an image moves toward the right by 3 pixels a zoom is applied that increases the sides by 10 pixels, it can happen that the left part instead of advancing has stepped backwards 2 pixels and the right part has advanced 8 pixels.

In such cases, it is best to apply the effect in two phases, the first applies rotation and saves the frames and the second applies zoom (as this section) to the loaded frames.

The "X" and "Y" scrollbars move the image horizontally and vertically.
The "Zoom X" scrollbar enlarges the image horizontally.
The "Zoom Y" scrollbar enlarges the image vertically.

"Free deformation Stereo" and "Free deformation Graphics"
In this section it is possible to apply free deformations to the layers by simply using the mouse.

"Free deformation Stereo" is specifically for the realisation of Type "I", stereoscopic effects, these effects only being visible by freeviewing or with a stereoscope.
For further information see "Free deformation" LAB.

When working with this function a realtime stereo preview using the synchronised window is available.
To open the synchronised window select "Window/Synchro Window".

"Free deformation Graphics" applies ordinary graphic deformations to X and Y.

The "Points" scrollbar sets the number of points (red squares) for defining the shape of the deformation line.
The "Plus" scrollbar increases the amount of deformation.

The example below illustrates the characteristics of this algorithm when used in "Graphics" mode.

"Alpha"
In this section you can create programmed transparency effects.
This section is specifically intended for "Morph" lenticular applications and besides transparency control it has other graphic transformations necessary for the work.

This same section, however, is also useful on many other occasions, in particular for rotation and zoom.

To explore the other possibilities of this section, you should open the Layer as a blend image.

The "Alpha" menu is only displayed after opening the image to be used for the transparency effect.

To load the image, select "File/Load Image Blend".

Attention: when you use this section of "blend" the controls act on the blend image and not on the Layer.

The "X" and "Y" scrollbars move the image horizontally and vertically.
The "Alpha" determines the degree of transparency.
The "rot" scrollbar determines the amount of rotation.
The "Zoom X" scrollbar enlarges the horizontal side (x).
The "Zoom Y" scrollbar enlarges the vertical side (y).

The example below shows the characteristics of the Alpha function in a double "Morph" modified with the "Sphere" algorithm.

Menu Window

"Synchro Window"
This menu opens the usual 3D Gugle syncronised window

On opening, the window contains a copy of the start image or the first frame.
This window is normally used for preview when you create stereo animations Type "I"

The window contains some menus for automatic alignment and the image can be dragged with the mouse.

"New Window"
With this window it is possible to open an endless number of copies, but every window consumes memory and if not required is best closed.
The window is displayed as soon as an image is opened and can be useful for making comparisons or providing an overview or details of a specific area.
In the window there are also zoom menus.

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The panel has two sections, left and right.

In the left section you set the start parameters of the algorithms, while in the right section you set the end parameters.

If, for instance, the left panel is set to zoom value 50 for the start and 200 for the end, the sequence of frames produced will begin with a image reduction of 50% and end with the image magnified by 200%.

If the values are set to the opposite, and you exchange the left and right data, the sequence will begin with a large image and finish with a small image.

To understand this simple concept, it is advisable to make some practical tests because the result of the actions is then immediately visible and verifiable.
For verification, you can also use the two blue "Test" buttons.

The "Frame Start" and "Frame End" spinbuttons determine the number of frames the algorithm will be applied to.

Using the zoom values stated above, and the value 3 in Spin "End", the following four-step sequence results:

The total number of Steps also represents the number of the frames that will be saved by the function "File/Save frames sequence"

For ordinary graphics and stereo, a large number of steps will produce high quality results, for lenticular applications the number of Steps depends on the nature of your source material.

If "Spin Start" is set to a value greater than zero, the saved frames, following a 3D Gugle convention, will be the correct number but will start from frame zero (Frame0000000.bmp).

The frames and the images saved from this laboratory are both frames and Layers and can be used as Layers or to make films in the other 3D Gugle laboratories.

The blue "Play" button serves for visualising a preview of the sequence.
To stop the playback, press the same button again.

The "Rep" selection button ( under the "Play" button) continually repeats the sequence .

The "Speed" scrollbar changes the speed of the preview playback.

The "RST" buttons reset all of the values for one of the two sections, in other words the values are set to their default values.
If it is desired to set a single parameter to its default value, click on the corresponding label that shows its value.

The "CLS" button shows the left or right image without the application of the algorithm.

Attention
The "Test" and "Cls" buttons and spinbuttons "Frame Start" and "Frame End" have different behaviors depending upon the way the laboratory is used.

The behavior of these controls is easily deduced from their operating context, for example, if after opening the frames you press "Cls" the selected frame is shown without the application of the algorithm, while if you have opened a single Layer "Cls" shows the original Layer without the application of the algorithm.

In case of doubt and before you gain a little experience, you can use the "Play" button for verification.
The "Play" button shows exactly the real situation and what you will be saving.

Step	0	1	2	3
Zoom	50	100	150	200

Step	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
Zoom	50	75	100	125	150	175	200