At Drupa 2004, HumanEyes launched a software that helps users easily create special effects for raster printing, such as commercial printing (DI or traditional printing) or electronic presentation. Although this software is capable of creating superbly flexible effects, transformations, and zooming effects, it is best known for its 3-D stereoscopic effects. HumanEyes's patented product, 3-D software, can be used in a variety of advertising media, from 3-D-enabled electronic display boards to traditional printing, packaging, interior lighting signage, and oversized logo labels. In addition, HumanEyes also offers lithographic offset printing software for lithographic, inkjet and lithographic UV equipment. The company will soon introduce new solutions for narrow-format DI presses from Heidelberg, KPG and Ryobi. This software starts at a price of $3,500. Xpedx currently sells HumanEyes software in North America.
The advantages of HumanEyes software:
Easy to use: Only require a standard digital camera to create 3-D effects. Any digital video camera can use HumanEyes 3D software, users can shoot once and can repeatedly print the output of different sizes and different viewing angles. Panoramic images and stereograms can be completed at the same time.
Effect Production: The Graphic tool is used to set the depth of field. The software automatically calculates the depth of field and generates a picture of any angle of view. Prepress: HumanEyes 3D uses a compressed Postscript output format, allegedly able to relieve pre-press and network bottlenecks Postscript output can seamlessly integrate with Level III RIPs.
Predictability: A comprehensive proofing tool eliminates the need for repeated testing and also avoids errors, thereby reducing the time it takes for the job to go from start to proof to print.
According to records, Victor Anderson, the founder of VariVue, created the first sub-raster image in the 1930s. By the end of the forties, VariVue had created millions of grating works including small gifts in Cracker Jack's products. In 1986, DIDIK installed VariVue's production line and gained production ownership.
How does a raster image work?
Grating technology is achieved by arranging closely the same size cylinders from one end to the other to a special film. The images are separated into small vertical strips and assembled together by computer. (Special software is used to place interlaced images under the film. Each cylindrical lens can cover approximately 2-25 image segments/bands. According to the expected result, different films and plates are matched to the corresponding lenticule width to achieve special effects. The size and type of lenticular used are also determined by the intended effect, but sometimes compromises are made due to cost issues.
In general, a standard image, 3.15 lenticulars/mm, is printed at 80 lpi. Each lenticule must be able to cover the desired image segment to achieve the desired effect. In general, the lenticule width is 0.01 inches. Raster effects include:
Flexibility can be converted from image A to image B. There are usually 12 phases. It has no visual depth effect and the transform effect appears in the foreground.
3-D This effect is mainly produced by using our eyes to view the same object from different angles. We can look at the conversion of 5-10 frames, or 3-4 layers of transformation (foreground layers, image layers, background layers, etc.).
The effect of scaling is also based on the principle of softening. The difference is that what we see is not the conversion of different objects but can observe the changes of objects from different perspectives.
2/3 Bounce Different viewing angles can see different objects: from one angle you see a skull while from another angle it is a handsome prince.
Animation/sports can see a small movement of an object. The change in perspective gives a visually dynamic effect: the opening and closing of a car's collapsible roof.
All of the above special effects can also be combined arbitrarily and in pairs, depending of course on the feasibility of the original creation, the size of the picture, and the specifications of the grating cylinder used.
Raster printing to a higher level
National Graphics (Brookfield, WI) was founded in 1977 as a prepress company. In the early nineties of the 19th century, the company started raster printing after a technician successfully produced a rough motion raster picture of a child swinging. Although the visual effect of this picture did not achieve excellent results, the company's manager Don Krause said that it is enough to attract them to participate in this area and develop it.
According to Krause, 15 years ago people saw lenticular printing as a trick by Cracker Jack and could not use traditional presses for high-quality, mass-production printing.
In 1995, National Graphics invented 75 lenticular/inch grating materials. It is said that this material is the first grating material that can be applied to commercial lithographic offset printing. Krause tells us that National Graphics (Brookfield, WI) has acquired an 18 mm (0.019 in) lenticular grating plate based on the patented Extreme Vision patented technology. The quality of the lenticular printing product has taken a big step and it has risen further. High level. The company has also developed a more elaborate 0.007-inch, 200-lpi cylinder lens, known as Crystal.
Crystal's fine form factor is suitable for the printing of pressure-sensitive labels. It can also be used for the printing of plastic or glass bottles without being crushed or crushed.
In addition to printing labels, packaging, postcards, and covers for books and magazines, the company's technology can print toys and mold decorations. Krause said: “Although printers all over the world are using National Graphics Extreme Vision, they all have to meet a single standard. We’re going to need to determine who we’re going to be working with to use our patented manufacturing process. Does the company have the right environment and the right printing equipment?"
The cost of printing materials is the biggest stumbling block to the widespread use of lens printing. National Graphics is using 0.003 inches of material because of the obvious price advantage of thinner lenticular materials compared to thicker materials. The company is also working on a new technology, which is to produce a lenticular lens online during the printing process. (The current production method of a lenticular lens is to use a custom-made sculpted roller for extrusion molding.) Krause: "We will be able to The cylinders are directly produced during the printing process (any position on the grating board). "At present, the company is applying for a patent for this process called "Spot Lenticular" and hopes to be approved.
Large format raster prints
Big3D.com (Fresno, CA) used a 62-inch KBA press to make 3D large-format posters for Spy Kids, a seven-color UV printer capable of processing a variety of grating materials.
Flipsigns.com, a trade union organization and also a raster software developer, Mr. Tom Saville, founder and president of the company won the Ph3D Award, which is awarded to those who have achieved excellent results in the field of 3-D and animation printing. enterprise. In Flipsigns' view, Big3D.com’s product quality is so outstanding that every Spy Kids poster looks like a movie star is standing inside.
Source: Bingsheng Yang Lifu