App to “Solve” Magic Eyes
I remember seeing a framed Magic Eye picture hanging in my grandmother’s, and that became my side Summer project — to be able to see what is “hidden” inside. Unfortunately, I was never able to see it for myself; but I was told the answer later. I remember thinking to myself, how is this TV-static looking image is supposed to morph into a 3D image?
Stereogram solver is a free website that allows users to upload an image of Magic Eye, or an autostereogram, then will solve what is supposed to be seen with the technique. The code behind the website is open source. Though, from my experience with tinkering with some of the Magic Eyes floating on the internet, not all images are immediately solved. It will need be adjusted manually using the slide scroll to see the intended answer.
Only later I learned some of the dirty secrets of Magic Eye: a. not everyone can see it, b. not all images are created equal, c. the shown image is not as dramatic as VR or 3D films would be. There are small percentage of population who simply cannot see Magic Eye illusions. And, even if you could, the supposed Magic Eye image you are staring at may not have a quality illusion in the first place. My first-ever Magic Eye experience, one I was able to see with the naked eyes that prompted me start writing this piece, was less than glamorous. In fact, it was a disappointment. I could see the border of a shark, in a sense I was seeing the “hidden” image, but it was nowhere near the 3D effect I was promised as a child. Not to mention some of the illusions I could find online flat out don’t work (i.e. not even the solver was able to pull it out).
I suppose this is yet another case of missing the boat. Maybe the official Magic Eye book would have given the better experience, and I will probably never know the answer. One thing I do know for sure though, there is resounding resemblance between 3DTV and Magic Eye, and it is the fact that neither took off after the respective first hit, Avatar, the movie, and Magic Eye, the book.
note: Featured image is not a Magic Eye. If you wish to test one out, the solver does offer some presets.