Backlighting Lenticulars

[P3D Gabriel Jacob <jacob@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As I mentioned in my last post, a person, where I presently work had given
me a lenticular of the Star Trek Enterprise, which had the identical image
as the mouse pad version that I bought. This person of course knew I was
a 3D nut, so he started talking about his previous job where he worked for
a printing company. He mentioned to me that they did those funny 3D images
with the plastic lines. Of course he was talking about lenticulars! When he
mentioned that, I couldn't believe he had done that kind of printing work and
for a local printing company! The printing company is not a 3D or lenticular
company but just happened to do some contract work for a US company.

Anyways he brought me some samples of what they had printed at that company
and it was quite a bit of stuff, at least 10 different completely different
themes and images. He mentioned that they were done in varying sizes, from
postcard to poster size. These were very nicely done and varied from Star
Trek above to the latest Terminator and Bay Watch. He had them in different
sizes and gave me the sample of Star Trek lent.

Even though he doesn't know anything about 3D, I did learn some very
interesting things, that I didn't know before. He mentioned how the lents
that he had were not protected and I wondered what he meant by that. He
mentioned that they were prone to scratching unless a paper backing was
applied. This is when I realized that they printed the images directly
on the plastic lenticular material and not on paper and then apply the
plastic lenticular as I had assumed. I imagine it can be done either way
if I am not mistaken.

When I examined these lenticulars without the paper backing I had a
revelation! ;-) I then realized a long puzzle that I had about these
lents. A while back there was a discussion about the lenticulars that
were kinda popular in the 60's that were framed in an Aluminum frame and
were backlighted. These looked really nice and had a slide kind of look 
to them. I remember this as I kid but never could reproduce this effect
in later years, since I didn't have that particular lenticular to examine.

This is when it dawned on me that the reason I couldn't achieve this effect
is because of the paper backing on the lents I tried. I took the lent given
to me without the paper backing and backlighted it. Eureka, it took me back
30 years! It looked great and had that translucent effect that I remembered.
Finally the mystery is solved. :-) (at least for me!)

Gabriel




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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 2188
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