How It Works?Lenticular –

14 February 2006.

Prepared by : Randolph Wong

Po Fat Offset Printing Ltd.Poly HK Development Ltd.

LENTICULAR - HOW IT WORKS!

Lenticular graphics can be described as specialized images which when viewed under certain circumstances will produce 3D or animated sequences.

The technology of this product consists of two main elements

1)A specially prepared (interlaced) image that contains data from two or more graphics which is placed in precise alignment with a lenticular lens.

2)The lenticular lens isolates, magnifies and displays the image data from each individual graphic according to the angle of observation.

Bearing these points in mind, we can begin to understand how the 3D and animated effects are achieved.

Lenticular Effects

1) Photographic 3D - 1) Photographic 3D - continuous natural depth

2) Graphic 3D - 2) Graphic 3D - Layering 2D images

3) Flip and Animated Effects 3) Flip and Animated Effects (zoom, motion, morph etc.)

4) Combinations of the above4) Combinations of the above

Lenticular LensLenticular Lens

1) A plastic lens consisting of an array of optical elements (lenticules)1) A plastic lens consisting of an array of optical elements (lenticules)

2) When viewed from different angles, different areas under 2) When viewed from different angles, different areas under the lens are magnifiedthe lens are magnified

Lenticular Lens - Lenticular Lens - CharacteristicsCharacteristics

PitchPitch – Number of lenticules per inch (LPI) – Number of lenticules per inch (LPI)

Narrow Angle Lens Narrow Angle Lens - 3D - 3D

ThicknessThickness

Viewing AngleViewing Angle

Wide Angle Lens Wide Angle Lens - Flip and Animated effects.- Flip and Animated effects.

Lenticular Lens - StockLenticular Lens - Stock

AAvailablevailable Stock and Brand Stock and Brand

PacurPacur (PET)(PET)

ThicknessThickness .020”.020” .027” .027” .018” .018” .014” .014” .023” .023”

SizeSize :: 20” x 28”20” x 28” 28” x 40”28” x 40”

Remarks :Remarks : 75 & 100 lpi 75 & 100 lpi - Good for pieces viewed from a shorter distance- Good for pieces viewed from a shorter distance ( handheld ) ( handheld )

100 lpi 3D - Suitable for 3D effect ( shorter distance / handheldhandheld

)

60 lpi - Good for larger sizes and for pieces which will be viewed from a greater distance ( 2 - 5 ft ).

62 lpi - Suitable for 3D effect ( 2 - 5 ft ).

LPILPI 60 lpi60 lpi 62 lpi 62 lpi 75 lpi 75 lpi 100 lpi 100 lpi-3D 100 lpi 100 lpi-3D

Viewing AngleViewing Angle 5454ºº 4444º 49 49º 4242º 3030º

Pitch width .0167” .0161” .0133” .0099” .0101”

Left ImageRight Image

Viewing Lenticular ImagesViewing Lenticular Images

Lenticular Lens

More views more effective Stereoscopic ViewingMore views more effective Stereoscopic Viewing

Viewing Stereoscopic ImagesViewing Stereoscopic Images

No Stereoscopic

Viewing(both eyes see

same view)

Effective Stereoscopic

Viewing - each eye sees a

separate view

Lens viewing angleLens viewing

angle

Effective Stereoscopic

Viewing - each eye sees a

separate view

Two Images FlippingTwo Images Flipping

Viewing Other Lenticular EffectsViewing Other Lenticular Effects

Lens viewing angle

Transition

View first imageView second

image

Clear Separate

views

Viewing Distance is Important Viewing Distance is Important

Preparing the interlace with accurate optical pitch for viewing distance A

A

Viewing the prepared image from a significantly different viewing distance

Mixed views

Viewing Distance is Important Viewing Distance is Important

Art PreparationArt Preparation

1) Files can be provided as layered PhotoShop files or as vector graphic files such as Illustrator.

2) Should the file size exceed the limits of the storage media, separate files can be provided, but must be of the same resolution and dimensions.

3) Files must not be flattened and must include alpha channels or clipping paths to allow for re-composition of individual elements.

4) Vector graphic files must be capable of being ungrouped to allow extraction of individual elements.

General

Art PreparationArt Preparation

Type

1) Include all fonts associated with the project.

2) Be sure to create outlines or paths for all type. This will ensure no delays should there be conflicts or corruption in fonts provided.

3) Preferable vector format is Adobe Illustrator. If possible, avoid Quark documents as Quark often utilizes proxies (low resolution copies) of images and does not allow exporting type with outlines or paths. Quark files can incur extra creative costs if conversion to a suitable format is necessary.

Art PreparationArt Preparation

Effect – Flip, Motion

1) Provide client’s approved CMYK files. This will avoid a second interlacing charge for mastering unapproved art due to composition, typos, incorrect color, etc.

2) Include standard 5mm bleed and image safe areas.

3) Bitmap and/or scanned art should be of sufficient resolution for acceptable reproduction, typically 300 dpi or more.

4) Art can be supplied as a single layered file which will ensure proper alignment and registration between phases. Art can also be supplied as separate files, however, individual phase files should be of the same resolution and dimensions to avoid misregister between phases.

Art PreparationArt Preparation

Effect – Flip, Motion

5) It is better to run lenticules lines horizontally. Otherwise images are Fuzzy.

6) On vertical motion, you may see more than one image at the same time.

7) Animation must start out with video films or equivalent to get the next frame movement. Computer generated art is also good.

8) Don’t try to make the motion overly complex.

9) As for Flip effect, don’t use white backgrounds as the images are more likely to ghost.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Effect : Motion

Lenticules Direction

Effect : Morphing

Art PreparationArt Preparation

Effect – 3D

1) The lenticules must run vertically (top to bottom) to achieve the illusion of depth. Remember this point when calculating for imposition.

2) Backgrounds must be wider than the final image to account for parallax. Example, if the unit final size is 8” X 10”, the background should be 8 ½” X 10”. A general scale to follow is: Up to: 8” X 10”, add ½”

12” X 16”, add ¾”24” X 24”, add 1”

This scale can be followed fairly loosely. If you are unsure of how much extra to include, remember that more is better as photo retouch work or cloning can incur additional creative costs.

Art PreparationArt Preparation

Effect – 3D

4) If objects are cut out of the background to be layered with the background, the removed area of the background must be cloned or retouched to cover the void area.

3) If possible backgrounds should avoid solid colors or horizontal stripes.These two situations do not provide a depth reference to the observer. An alternative to a solid color would be to add texture such as crumpled paper to the color.

5) Elements that overlap even slightly are good depth cues and will enhance the illusion of depth.

Art PreparationArt Preparation

Effect – 3D

7) Forcing perspective can enhance the illusion of depth. An example of forced perspective is where objects appear to get smaller the farther they are from the observer.

8) Logo’s or important type/copy should be composed to be on or near the aim-point.

9) There's at least 12 images in 3-D.

10) The thicker the lens, the greater the depth perception.

Mid PointMid PointIn betweenIn betweenphase 3 & 4phase 3 & 4

11

2233

4455

6677

Effect – Graphic 3D

1. Background1. Background

2. Football2. Football

3. Logo B/g3. Logo B/g

4. Bear’s body4. Bear’s body

5. Bear’s leg5. Bear’s leg

6. Logos6. Logos

7. Football7. Football

Effect :Graphic 3D

Printing RestrictionsPrinting Restrictions

1) We print UV ink on back of lens, reverse image (wrong reading).

2) The wider the sheet, the greater chance for distortion.

3) Along 4 edges of the sheet, allow 1” of each side for special Corp Mark during imposition.

Aim-pointThe dimensional plane that coincides with the surface of the printed unit. Important elements such as type or logos should be composed for this plane.

DPIDots per inch. Defines resolution of bitmap images.

InterlaceThe process of combining image data from two or more graphics in a configuration compatible with a lenticular lens array.

LenticuleA single lens element in a lenticular lens array characterized by curvature along one axis only.

ParallaxThe apparent shift in objects/elements between right and left perspective views. The greater the parallax shift the greater the apparent depth.

PhaseA single graphic or image. A two image flip would be billed as a 2 phase animation. Twelve frames of video would be calculated as a 12 phase animation.

SteroscopicUse of two perspective views to achieve the perception of depth.

Glossary