1 - Selecting an Image

Your 2D regular picture can be black and white or colour. It can be a flat paper print from an album, a slide or chrome transparency, a computer generated or digital camera image. The image itself can be a real photo, painting, cartoon illustration etc.

The image must be placed on a digital file for us to be able to do the conversion. We must later put the conversion onto negative film for the actual 3D printing. Purchasing the negative allows you to re-order prints using our low-cost film based system.

A paper print, slide, painting or physical image must be scanned, photographed with a digital camera or otherwise made into a digital file. Computer generated or digital camera images already are digital files.

Ideally we like to get images at a resolution of 300 pixels per finished inch of size. For instance a 4x6 finished 3d print would need a 4 x 300 = 1200 by 6 x 300 = 1800 pixel 2D image to work with. However succcessful conversions have been done with much smaller files, such as 100 pixels per inch.

2 - Determining Suitability of an Image

Examine your chosen image for the following:

• Is it in focus and in good condition?
  We only convert the image into 3D, we do not fix images. A bad 2D image will not get better in 3D.
• Is the main subject matter near the side edge?
  There is a loss of 12% from the sides of a 2D image to make it into 3D. Make sure no critical picture subject is near the side edge.
• Do I want all of the existing picture or only a part of it?
  You should pre-crop the image to the desired aspect ratio(W x H) before sending it to us, allowing 12% more on the sides. With special arrangement and cost we can pre-crop the 2D picture for you.
• Does my image have clear depth clues?
  Abstract paintings, vague surfaces, lack of detail and textures maybe difficult for the 3D artist to place in depth. Certain subjects don't lend themselves easily to 3D conversions. Semi-transparent objects such as smoke, fog, veils, mirrors, reflections, highly linear or detailed scenes such as tiny tree branches, wire fences, snow flakes and the like.
  Even though these subjects are difficult to represent realistically, the overall effect can be pleasing anyway.

3 - Working with Shape

The shape of the print will depend on the dimensions of the original 2D image. For example, a square 2D regular print original will make a sqaure 3D print, vertical 2D (Portrait Mode) will make a vertical 3D, Horizontal 2D (Landscape Mode) will make horizontal 3D. When pricing your print go to the aspect ratio shape(W x H) that best matches your original and then pick a size that you want.

With 8" wide 3D prints you get 5 intermediate images which makes a good "look around" effect. The 5" wide and narrower prints succeed with only 3 intermediates.

Note: 8" w - 5 image and 5" w and less - 3 image are 2 separate conversion types. You cannot enlarge your 5" w or less image into an 8" w image. However you can do the reverse and make an 8" w image into smaller prints.

4 - Selecting Extras

Text on Print

If you want text or a logo to be overlayed on the photo - send us an image file of the text or logo, or a word document of text and font choice. Keep the message short ie. "Happy Birthday Bob" or "Our favourite cat Misty" etc.

We will size and place the text in the most advantageous place on the 3D picture for you. We will also choose a contrasting colour to the background for the text to stand out.

Buy Your Negatives

Unless you never would want reprints of your 3D picture we recommend that you purchase the negatives so that cheap reprints can be made easily without converting the picture again. See price list.

Buy a CD

You may also want a CD of your 3D picture file. There will be an anaglyph version (Red and Blue) of your 3D picture that you can print out yourself. There will be the converted 3D files as seperate images that can be made into a film negative again in case the film negative gets lost or damaged. The CD is a good back up to the negative and gives an alternative form of 3D with the anaglyph. See price list.

Mount Your 3D Picture

If you want to give a gift to a friend or loved one or have a pictured mounted for display, we provide black mat mounting for mounting your picture in 3 standard mat sizes 5 x 7, 8 x 10, 11 x 14. The 5 x 7 and 8 x 10 have a vinyl black applied. See price list.