How to Make Anaglyphs with 1 Webcam

Written by Rolf

Once in a while I'm fascinated by something out of the ordinary. For instance, I remembered those 3D-pictures which require red and blue or green glasses to be able to see the 3D effect, better known as anaglyphs.

I own an old webcam (QuickCam VC) and I thought it must not be too difficult to create them. And indeed, although it would make things a lot easier if you have two cameras, I am happy with the results of my experiments.

Here is how to do it with only one webcam or camera.

1. Take one picture (this will represent your left eye, L).


2. Sit really really still if you want to shoot a moving target.


3. Carefully move the camera about 10 cm or 4" to the right.


4. Take a second picture (R).


5. Open the two images in Photoshop or something (or import them as TWAIN_32).


6. Optionally, do AutoLevels.


7. Convert both images to grayscale and back to RGB.


8. Colorize L using a paintbrush with option Multiply, color (0,127,255).


9. Colorize R the same way in color (255,0,0).


10. Copy L into a layer over R.


11. Set layer L's option to Screen (or Difference or Exclusion, doesn't matter).


12. You should be able to see 3D by now, but go on reading.


13. Move the layers so that the vertical offsets are the same, for instance my eyes should be at the same vertical distance from the top in both the layers (that was a minor adjustment I had to make, since my camera is spherical and it tilted a bit while doing 3.)


14. Then, if you want one particular part of the image to be at zero-depth relative to the screen, move the layers, so that this point overlap in both layers.


15. Save the image, coz you're done!

My hand. It's a problem to keep it still, but otherwise a great object for the 3D effect.

I must admit I wrote this guide a while ago and republished it here on my new blog. I should attempt to reproduce this now I have a much better, digital camera. Oh and I should try to find my old 3D glasses that I seem to have misplaced...

Update: I have gained new insights and written a new tutorial to make better anaglyphs. In color!