Description

You saw "Magic Eye" in still pictures, andnow, Magic Eyes in Motion.

A brief note on depth perception

To device stereo audio to fool our ears into "hearing" stereosound, is way much easier than to device stereo image to fool oureyes into "seeing" stereo scene. Firstly, the scene (be it still ormotion pictures) has to be produced in such a way that the "depth"information is encoded into the scene seemlessly. And secondly theviewer will need a device to mount over their eyes in order todecode the "depth" out of the sene. For example, to see the stereo3D effect (the "depth" of a scene) in a moive theater, you need towear a pair of specialized glasses.

One of the most "handy" way to see stereo 3D effect has beenknown for decades as the "Magic Eye." It's handy because, while theproduction of the stereogram encoding the depth information is justas tedious as in other 3D motion pictures, you don't need to mountanything over your eyes; the naked eyes will do the trick.

But then, if you have not yet had the wonderful experience ofMagic Eye, you might want to google "Magic Eye" for some hints andtips as to how you can get started fast and easy. Or, if you havebeen a happy Magic Eye person for years just like me, then readon...

Magic Eyes in Motion

Now you can watch and play the stereo 3D animation by using thevery same Magic Eye. Just position the phone screen in itslandscape orientation and place it in front of your eyes 20 to 40cm away, just like you have been doing the Magic Eye before. Lo andbehold, a hexagonal tunnel spins in space and a few astroids fliesthrough the tunnel and come toward you.

How to Play

At the start-up, this application enters the stand-by mode andawait your tapping action on the screen to start. Note that thetext at the bottom of the screen is NOT prepared for the MagicEye.

Starting from Level 1, and through Level 7, you will have 60seconds at each level to retrieve the flying astroids comingthrough the spinning tunnel. The spinning tunnel exerts acentrifugal force on the astroids and thus pushing them toward thewalls of the tunnel. The objects will crash and burn when hittingthe walls of the tunnel, or arrive at your side safely if youmanage to drag and thus slow down the spinning speed of the tunnel.Slower spinning speed exerts small centrifugal force, you know thephysics.

For each object arrives at your side (or rather, for each objectyou catch), you get one point. You need at least one point at eachlevel to advance to the next level. The flying speed (toward you)of the objects decreases, and the idle spinning speed of the tunnelincreases, as the level goes from 1 through 7. You know what I amdoing.

If you get through Level 7, and I must admit you gotta be sogood at touch-screen drag control, the game will loop back to Level1. And at each loop back, the flying speed (toward you) of theobjects, level to level, will decrease further and further.

For the beginners, Level 1 is designed to get you familiar withthe scene. Astroids at this level fly fast enough to reach yourside (and score) regardless the exerted centrifugal force. Youdon’t need to drag the spinning tunnel at this level, but of courseyou may choose to as a exercise. Starting from Level 2 though, youwill have to drag on the screen to slow down the spinning.

So, have fun watching and playing. Be aware of the astroidcrash-bang audio effect. It could be very loud and noisy to otherpeople near you.

What's next?

We will fly through the tunnel and out to the Space for someadventure. Coming soon, I hope.

Extra Credit

The background picture was retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hannys_voorwerp.jpg