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3D Gugle
User's Guide
Index:
>> Presentation of "Objects" (Direct 3D objects LAB)
>> Using the software
Models and the file format "X"
Regulations and controls
Using the Layers
Hierarchy of representation
Properties of the 3D objects
Standard objects
Background image
Text as 3D object
The Main window
How to save images
How to save a stereo or lenticular sequence
How to Load/Save a project
The main dialogue and its controls
How to add a stereoscopic effect
>> Operative requirements
Presentation of
"Objects" (Direct 3D objects LAB)
This LAB is
designed to create stereoscopic lenticular and graphical applications using the
features of the 3D objects.
The 3D objects (or models) are 2D graphic images that contain information about
their size.
For more information on this see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_modeling
Before describing the
features it should be specified that the laboratory uses the same methods of
managing the 3D objects but there is no need to use 3D objects.
In other words the "Objects" LAB of 3D Gugle has expanded the traditional 3D
possibilities by adding new methods and new capabilities for stereoscopic,
lenticular and ordinary graphics applications.
In the new "Objects" environment it is now possible to create any thing using
any thing as a source.
When a normal image is added in the
laboratory it acquires new properties inherent in the stereoscopy, graphics
processing and transformation, transparency, spatial position etc. and also it
acquires some characteristics of 3D objects.
For example, on moving an image in the virtual space of "Objects" it will be
automatically resized or distorted according to the new and specific space
location.
The following example demonstrates that photos and 3D models now can be living
in the same space using also the 3D stereoscopic properties.
Click
to download the cross-eye animation.
Click to download the anaglyph animation.
With the advent of the "Direct 3D Objects" LAB new operational possibilities
are opened up, not only in the technical domain but also in ordinary and
stereoscopic artistic compositions.
The same example but in Anaglyph format
Another example
To design this LAB it was necessary to review and modify the known and
standard methods used for calculating perspective.
The perspective calculated in a traditional way possibly contains errors, but
certainly is not suitable for stereoscopic applications.
It is emphasized that the algorithms used in this laboratory are unique and the
exclusive property of 3D Gugle.
Using the cross-eye examples below it is possible to compare the two methods and
easily verify that with the standard calculation method (used also by DirectX)
it is impossible to obtain correct stereoscopic vision.
Perspective: Standard calculation
Perspective: 3D Gugle Calculation
Note
The original images used in all examples are from the stereo artist:
Dr. Zsolnai-Nagy Imre
DirectX
If you have problems to use "Direct 3D Object"
LAB to make a complete test of your DirectX search in Internet: "MicroSoft download "DirectX
End-User Runtime"".
Models and file in "X"format
To run the LAB from the "Start" menu, select "3D Gugle" and then "Direct 3D
Objects LAB"
For practising with the laboratory there is a small set of 3D models in a zip
file. The models come from the Microsoft DirectX 9.0 SDK.
To download the set of models click here
We recommend these links
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/60-excellent-free-3d-model-websites/ (contains a
list of sites with models)
http://3delicious.net (a well-stocked archive)
"Objects" only works with the
Microsoft "X" files so it is necessary, before using the models, to convert them
to this format.
To do the conversion you can use the direct function of "Objects": "Convert
3DS to X Files" which is visible by pressing the button "File".
Not all "3ds" models are convertible and it often
happens that even after the successful conversion, the model can not be used.
To convert the "3ds" format, 3D Gugle uses software by Microsoft. In theory this
software is of the best quality but in reality it fails frequently.
To do the conversions we suggest using a third-part program, so that you can use
in addition to the "3ds" models, other formats as well.
A free software program that has many capabilities for conversion and modelling
is "
Regulations and controls
Scroll bars
To move and to transform the objects only the scroll bars are used. In this
project the Scroll bars have been preferred to the direct use of the mouse
because this allows the greater precision of movement which is required in
stereoscopy.
The scroll bars are movable using the mouse, the keys and the mouse wheel.
To select the scroll to move with a key, click on the scroll.
With the keys
"A" and "S" you can move the normal scroll right/left by one step.
The Layer is a normal image that uses transparencies.
The Layers of 3D Gugle use pure "Black" as the transparent colour. The Layer
is of fundamental importance in the 2D>3D conversions, lenticular applications,
animations, etc.
In "Objects" it is possible to use the ordinary and the stereo Layers without
any limit.
For further information about the 3D Gugle Layer see the following tutorials:
Direct Layer LAB
To extract the Layers from the images
Layers
Assembly LAB
To assemble and manage the Layers to create animations and lenticular
effects
Algorithms to Layers
LAB To automatically create new intermediate
frames with many algorithms of transformation
Box
To extract the Layers using the "By Points" methods
Combine LAB
Maintenance of the Layers.
Paint LAB
To retouch Layer, images or to clone areas
Write LAB
To write on images and to create Layers
from text
Pattern
and Texture LAB To
create infinite patterns, textures and special Layers
In "Objects" it is possible to load both an ordinary Layer
or stereoscopic Layers.
A stereoscopic Layer is composed from two different Layers, one for the left
part and the other for the right part.
To load a Layer press the button "Object"
and then select "Object from Layer".
The possible formats to open a Layer are: "
*.bmp", "*.gna", "*.png".After having opened a Layer, to open, to change, to add a stereoscopic Layer, etc. click on the button "
Property" and then use the buttons "Open Left/ Open Right".
In the image below two Layers are loaded: one normal (the mask) and the other
is stereo (rag doll).
In contrast the back fruit is not a Layer but is a "Background image" of which
we will speak subsequently.
To correctly operate with the Layers, particularly in the complex images, it
is essential to understand the method used by "Objects" to manage the
transparencies.
"Objects" determines the transparency by reading the position of the Layer in
the virtual space 3D (Z).
In other words "Object" makes transparent only the 3d objects or Layers or
images that are set behind the Layer in the position "Z" but not what is set
before.
This concept will be easily comprehensible if you consider that you don't work
on a sketch but on a solid object.
In a sketch the possible directions are two (right-left and higher-lower part)
while in a solid the directions are three: the third direction is the distance
(Z).
The "arrow" here is the Layer used for representing the directions in the
cross-eye figure that follows.
To correctly position a Layer means to fix it in three coordinates (x,y,z) and not in two.
If the Layer will be used to contemporaneously occupy more positions in the
space "Z" it is best to reduce the operational part of the Layer to the smallest
possible even in its transparent parts (black).
For instance the Layer of the arrow becomes like this:
A tilted Layer can occupy more "Z" space. See for example the Red arrow in
the previous cross-eye image
To move a Layer (and the same rule is valid for any type of object) click first
on the button "
The scrolls "
X", "Y", "Z" move in the respective directions."
X" horizontal movementThe various objects that constitute the scene are drawn in sequence starting from the first one listed in the "
Objects" list to the last one of the same list.
The drawn sequence is very important and it constantly needs to be verified.
An incorrect sequence can result in some objects being hidden and the Layers may
produce transparency errors.
When many objects are used and the objects have inclinations for the "Z" field, after moving a single object it can be necessary to repair the drawn sequence.
The hierarchical position can be modified at anytime using the two buttons with the
arrow icon situated under the list of the objects.A conflict between the spatial position and the sequence is not always an
error. In many cases this conflict is often used for producing unique graphic
effects and is of great visual impact.
In the example anaglyph that follows, using
the "Spatial conflict" the objects have been intersected, overlayed,
superimposed through each other to unite them and to create a sculpture of
cubistic style. The title is "Young Woman”.
Any 3D object, Layer or background image has both common and specific
properties.
The specific properties are unique, inherent in the object in question, and are
determined by the object creator.
Common property:
All objects are composed of at least one element. This minimum and essential
element is called "Material".
The "Material" contains all the necessary geometric information needed to draw
the object in 3D space and other information (not obligatory) related to the
management of "Texture", sketch colours and lights colours.
Specific properties:
"Specific properties" can be described as being
When an object has specific properties, these properties are accessible by pressing the button "
Property" in the panel "Selected Object" and in the "List Box" of this section they are listed and selectable.
In the image below is an object with "Specific properties" as it appears when it is opened (black, to the left) and after the change of colours and the addition of one "
Texture".
Normally before using a new object it is necessary to perform some
manipulation. When completed and the various materials set up, it is advisable
to save the object with the new properties.
To save to press the button "
Using the "Property" panel you can also change or adjust the two basic colour
sources for the 3D objects.
The colours are "
The "
emissive" colour is the rising colour of the object. To understand this colour, think of a coloured light bulb.The "
diffuse" is the colour that the object reflects when it is illuminated by the main light of the whole scene.“Objects” accept as Texture all the valid graphic formats of 3D Gugle whilst also adding the format "
*. dds" which is one of the Microsoft standard "Texture " formats.This type of object is part of the 3D Gugle system. To use it press the button "Objects" and then "
Object from STANDARD"
To load an object, select it from the list and then double click or use the button "
Load".All other objects accept Textures but the method used to draw is not linear.
The purpose of the "Non-linearity" is to create special graphics effects or
sub-Textures.
The standard objects can use also the colours "Emissive" and "Diffuse".
In the cross-eye example below two squared surfaces are used with textures for the floor and the wall and two spheres also use textures.
To load an image as background press the button "Object" and then: "
Load BACKGROUND Image".The first difference is the possibility to load stereo Textures (Images) and
the second difference is in the hierarchical position.
The "Background Image" is always in the first position and it is not possible to
load two "Background Images".
To load or to change the images or stereoscopic image select first the
"Background image" in the list of the objects and then press the button
"Property".
"Objects" has adopted this operational methodology to manage the background
images so as to be able to use a special, very interesting, optic effect that
has been discovered by the same inventor of the 3D Gugle project.
The effect allows, in some cases, the creation of an illusion that some objects
have penetrated into a different image.
To realise this illusion it is necessary that the background image contains very
leaning stereoscopic parts.
An example in cross-eye is below. To see another example
click here
"Objects" can transform any text or symbol into a standard 3D Object.
To use this function press the button "Object" and then "
In the controls dialogue you can choose the character style and the two base
colours.
With the aid of the scroll bars the text can be moved or resized but these
regulations are however provisional in that you can adjust them after having
pressed the button "
After pressing the button "OK" the control dialogue is hidden and you can use the standard controls.
To modify the text write a new text in the "input box" and then select the button "
Set change" to see and memorise the change.3D Gugle also has another LAB
"Write" to manage the text
"Objects" can operate in three different modes: "
2D", "3D" and "ANA" (anaglyph).
Regardless of the selected mode, "Objects" continuously
calculates the 3D projection so it is possible to change the operative mode at
any time and without problems.
For all the modes the function "Frame",
with which it is possible to add a coloured frame to the images, is available.
The thickness of the frame is modified with the scroll bar and to change the
colour press the button "Frame colour".
The frame’s only purpose is to improve the 3D view during the job. It is
temporary and is not saved with the images.
For other information about the frame you can see the tutorial of the specific
LAB of 3D Gugle
The mode "2D"
is used to work with ordinary graphics or is used to see the full screen. The visualised image is always on the left.
When the mode "3D" is active, clicking on the button "Win"
results in the two images being resized and filling the screen.
The mode "ANA"
(anaglyph) is not a real operational method but only an anaglyph preview.
"Objects" can operate with all possible combination of anaglyph colours. The
combination that is used is the same set of 3D Gugle anaglyph colours.
To choose the preferred combination of colours
To save 2D or stereo images press the button "
File" and then in the menu select "Save Image(s)".
In the dialogue that appears select the folder and then write the name of the
new image-file.
If the name is without extension "Object" automatically adds the extension
".BMP".
To select a different format use the "Format list box" in the same dialogue.
If the selected Format is different from the Format that you type, the
selected Format will apply.
For example if you write "Test.bmp" and then you select "*.hdr" in the "Format
list box" the image will be saved as "Test.hdr".
The possible format are four "
"*.dds" is a Texture standard Format and "*.hdr" is a special Format that
allows greater changing of the tone and colours.
For further information on the "*.hdr" Format click the link below.
We have added the possibility to save and to open images in "*. hdr" Format
to offer the maximum choice to our consumers but remember that 3D Gugle has
graphics functions more efficient than those possible with the HDR images.
These functions of 3D Gugle can also operate on any type of image. For further
information see the following tutorials:
Image
Reconstruction By colours" and "By Contrast
Holo Image Reconstruction
Emboss
Depth Enphasise
Sharpen
Pressing the "OK" button a new dialogue will appear.
The possible options change depending on the selected format. For example if the format is "*.hdr" it won't be possible to use the "
Image Size" options.How to save a stereo or lenticular sequence
"Objects" enables the saving of lenticular and stereoscopic sequences or
graphic animations.
To activate this function press the button "
After clicking on the menu "
Save Lenticular/Stereo sequence" a new controls dialogue will appear with which it is possible to select the work method and to plan the sequence parameters.
To begin it is necessary to determine the operative method by selecting "
Lenticular" or "Stereo".
The method "Stereo"
saves two sequences generated from the Left and Right images. The two sequences
are saved in two separate directories.
This method is generally used to create stereo animations.
To obtain a stereo animation it is obviously necessary that before entering into
this automation LAB, the images must have 3D depth.
To create a 3D depth use, in the "Main" panel, the scroll bar "3D
Stereo Depth". Click to see other information about
the 3D depth.
On selecting "Stereo"
the screen is separated into two parts so you have the cross/parallel eye
preview in real time. Also in the main screen, the function "Win",
with which it is possible to entirely draw the two images in the screen space,
is active.
To visualize the preview of the animation use the buttons "Play"
in the panel "Play sequence".
To repeat the preview continuously select "Repeat".
When "Repeat"
is active it is possible to select "Inverted",
"Inverted" produces a reversed sequence.
When the frames of the sequence are saved, only the quantity determined by the
scroll "Frames" will be saved, ignoring those of the inverted sequence.
On pressing the "white button"
with the "arrow"
icon the controls dialogue is reduced in size allowing a full view of the
screen.
Setting
To understand the method used to produce a sequence it is
best to imagine the scene filmed with a camera moved horizontally on a platform.
The camera moves one step at time for the number planned from "
Angle Step" and will continue its movement until the quantity of total step is the same as the value determined in "Frames".Attention
and to select the size of the Frames click on the button "Size 100%"
If it is necessary to
stop the process of saving, press the "Space Bar".Suggestions for the Frames management
3D Gugle has many laboratories with which it is possible to
operate on the frames and to create a movie using frames. Here a little list:
3D Frames from
Left-Right frames
AVI Editor (Moviola) to assemble the left and right frames into
anaglyphs or stereo side by side
AVI from frames
AVI Editor (Moviola) to create AVI movie from frames
Save/Resize
Batch
Batch resize a folder of images
using none, bilinear or high-quality bicubic interpolation,
convert a series of BMP images into frames which can be used in Movie LAB, save
a series of frames in inverted order to allow continuous-cycling. Encrypt/Decrypt images and files
Frame Utility
Resize, crop, insert logo/text, insert frames
Graphic
operation on the frames
Contrast, brightness, Daylight, Greyscale, Gamma, Sharpen, Add
colour, Saturation or deghost to a single frame or group of frames
Algorithms to Layers
To automatically create new intermediate
frames with many algorithms of transformation
Layers
Assembly
To assemble and manage the Layers to create animations and lenticular
effects
1)
To convert a serie of images in frames with "*gna"
format use
Save/Resize
Batch
2) To resize a serie
of any type of
frames or images use
Save/Resize
Batch
3) To apply graphic functions
to a frames "*.gna" use
Graphic
operation on the frames
4) To cut or resize frames
"*.gna" use
Frame Utility
5) To add Logo/Text to frames
"*.gna" use
Frame Utility
6) To create a serie of frames in
inverted order to allow continuos-cycling to frames
"*.gna" use
Save/Resize
Batch
7) To add a serie of frames "*gna" in
inverted order or to add frames
from another movie use
Frame Utility
8) To apply a serie of frames "*.gna"
transformations, rotations, deformations, ecc use
Algorithms to Layers
9) To apply a serie of frames "*.gna"
deformations stereo or normal, ecc use
Frames 3D
to 3D
10) To create film AVI
using frames "*.gna" use
AVI from frames
11) To create frames stereo
or anaglyph using frames "*.gna" use
3D Frames from Left-Right frames
12) To create animations
using Layers or frames "*.gna" use
Layers
Assembly
To Save/Load or to create a new project click on the button "
File" and then select the desired option. The file of the projects has the extension "*.p3g".
The
main dialogue and its controls
The main dialogue has three sections:
"
The dialogue has also two important buttons "
File" and "Object".Section "
Selected Object"
"Location"
moves in the horizontal (X), and vertical (Y) and changes the distance
object-observer (Z)
"Zoom"
resizes the object; (Zt) operates on all directions, (X,Y,Z) resizes only in a
determined direction.
The possibility to resize in an independent way (for every
single axis) is very important because it allows you to do deformations or to
produce different forms and therefore new objects.
In the image below is an example showing the application of the "Zoom" applied
to a single axis, starting from a "Standard" object "Cylinder".
"Rotation"
rotates the object in every possible direction.
"Property"
enables changing a lot of visual characteristics of the object. For further
information on the "Property " click here.
Section "Main"
(Six options to operate on all objects simultaneously)
"Location"
moves in the horizontal (X), vertical (Y) and changes the distance between
object-observer (Z), "H" changes the height of observation.
An example of the "H" application.
"Zoom"
resizes the scene.
"Light" moves the main light source in all directions.
"Contrast" changes the Contrast and the Luminance of the scene.
"Property" changes the main light colour and the background colour.
An example using different light colours (White to left, Azure, Green).
"
3D Depth" applies the math transformation to convert the scene in a stereoscopic scene.How to add a stereoscopic effect
With "Objects" to add a stereoscopic effects is extremely easy and you use only the scroll bar "
3D Depth" in the "Main" panel.
Moving the scroll to the left you have "
Negative" value for the "Cross-eye" or "anaglyph" vision, moving to the right you have "Positive" value for the "Parallel-eye" vision.To learn you can use
this tutorial of 3D Gugle. The tutorial is written in the Italian language but you have a local translator."Objects" has also the anaglyph preview but it is slow to refresh.
Other hints
To create a good and realistic stereo effect it is
indispensable to pay attention to "Z" position and the Size" of the objects.
It is important also to know or determine the destination of your work.
The stereoscopic effect among the various methods of vision (Free-eye,
anaglyphs, stereoscope, size of print, etc.) is extraordinarily different
so it is necessary to know how your final work will be shown.
For instance an image "Cross-eye" has a
stereoscopic effect at least 10 times inferior to that of
an anaglyph.
To use "Direct 3D objects" LAB the computer has to possess the followings
minimum requirements:
Windows "XP" 640 KB Ram,
processor 2.5 MHz
Windows "Vista" 4 GB Ram, dual processor 2.0 MHz
The actual version works only with 24-32 bits of colour.
The updating to 64 bits will be effected as soon as DirectX 10 and Windows "7"
is in a final release.
Updating to 64 bits for the actual or any future versions of Windows "Vista" won't be effected.
Maximum size of the images managed from "Objects":
- Background image, pixel max (1200 x 1200)
- Layer image, pixel max (1000 x 1000)
- Texture image, pixel max (800 x 800)
The actual version accepts as maximum 255 3D objects.