Stereomaker 2.0 is the first professional tool for making stereograms or stereogram movies. Stereomaker is shareware (US$40 fee). You can try it out or freely copy it. This said, you must register your copy if you do use it, just as for other software.
What's new about this version :
• Easy creation of Quicktime™ stereogram movies.
• 3D preview using Quickdraw3D™.
• ColorSync™ appliant for color synchronization.
• Multi-theaded computation (System 7.5 or later).
• AppleScript™ appliant for scripting and recording.
• Full featured help with Balloons Help and AppleGuide.
• Use of Drag&Drop to allow lightspeed work.
• Compatible with new Navigation Services
With Stereomaker 2.0 you can create Quicktime™ animated stereograms, but these features will remain inactive until you register your copy.
Pictures and movies made with Stereomaker are free, as for the ones included within. You can use them as you wish. Moreover you must register before you can publish any picture made with this software.
The personal license for Stereomaker is US$40. A site license (for a local network or a company) is available for US$250. You can register on Kagi secured online site or by using the included register form.
You can download updates and new versions on the site : http://www.tvt.fr/Cybercafe/PagesPerso/JerStereomaker.html
You can also contact it's author :
Jerome Tarantino
Stereomaker
Cidex 61
90200 Grosmagny
email : tarantino@kagi.com
How to create patterns for Stereomaker :
To create patterns, you can use any picture. You can improve your stereograms by using varied patterns while avoiding, as much as possible, large patches of a single color. The width of the pattern should be such a size as to be repeated 3 to 7 times within the total width of the stereogram.
The height of the pattern does not matter ! A pattern which fills the total height of the stereogram usually produces a very original picture.
How to create bumps for Stereomaker :
The simplest bumps (text,simple forms…) can be created with an image-editing application (such as Photoshop™), by using graduated shades of gray. The most complex pictures must be created with a synthesis application (such as RayDream Designer™, Infini-D™, ElectricImage™…). To obtain the adequate shades of gray (white is foreground, black is background…) use a decreasing lighting which come from behind the camera.
Some software, such as Bryce™, for example, are able to create a "Distance Render".
How to create animated bumps for Stereomaker :
Once again, several solutions are possible. By using a synthesis application, you can easily create gray-shaded Quicktime™ movies. You can also create movies with still pictures using MoviePlayer.
In a world, your imagination is your only limit ! Feel free to send me your ideas, suggestions or creations.
Lot of pictures are included within Stereomaker. They are examples of what has just been described. Other pictures (with better resolution) are available on Stereomaker site. All are free of charge.
About movies compressor :
The stereogram movies are, by default, compressed using Cinepak. This compressor, which need labour even with the most powerful PowerMacs, allows reasonably-sized movies. You can change this setting, but keep in mind that some compressors produce easily 8Mb/s fullscreen movies, which is much more than what afford usual hard disks, during playback…
Don't forget to register your copy to receive new versions and updates.
Known bug : The use of big pictures can temporarily make the stereogram disappear, in case of memory lack.
Stereomaker is the entire property (concept and code) of its author, Jerome Tarantino. It can be distributed without limit, and on any free of charge medium, but it may not be commercialized, in any case, without a written permission from its' author (with the exception of CDRom magazines).
All quoted trademarks belong to their respective owners.
