Shades of 3D Vision
Optics & Photonics Focus
Volume 11 Story 7 - 15/12/2010

Illusion of depth in a flat image

Is the cube engraved or embossed on the screen? The brain uses the shading patterns to recreate the third dimension and therefore the illusion of depth. Whether you perceive the cube as being engraved or embossed depends on where your brain is assuming the light is coming from. In fact, with a little effort you can even train your brain to “see” either image on command.
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Illusion of depth in a flat image. Is the cube engraved or embossed on the screen? The brain uses the shading patterns to recreate the third dimension and therefore the illusion of depth. Whether you perceive the cube as being engraved or embossed depends on where your brain is assuming the light is coming from. In fact, with a little effort you can even train your brain to “see” either image on command.