How to View a 3D Stereogram

The image on the right is designed to walk you step by step through the process of learning how to "free view" a stereogram. There are two different ways to free view a stereogram, 1) cross your eyes to merge two images, or 2) focus your eyes at the distant horizon to merge two images. This process is based on the first method because it is generally easier to cross one's eyes.

You will need a pen or pencil or some thin pointy object for this procedure. You should be sitting approximately one and a half feet to two feet away from your computer monitor. Hold the pen right up to the computer screen pointing upward with the tip just BELOW AND BETWEEN the two black diamonds below. Focus on the pen but pay attention to the two black diamonds.

Slowly move the pen towards you, still focusing on the pen but paying attention to the two black diamonds. When the pen is approximately 2-3 inches from the computer screen, the two black diamonds should appear to merge to form three black diamonds with the two on the outside seeming to be transparent but with the middle one opaque. The middle black diamond, as well as the diamond grid pattern, should appear to lift off the screen and come a little closer to you, as close as the pen, actually.

Continue to move the pen closer to you until the two purple diamonds merge just below the black ones. You may need to lower your pen a bit so it is not blocking the purple diamonds. At this point the pen should be 5-6 inches from the screen. Keep focused on the pen but lower it to reveal the blue cube on a green background which should be merged to form three images. The image in the middle should suddenly 'pop out' at you so as to appear to contain an actual 3D cube.

Continue moving the pen closer to you until the two red diamonds merge, and you should see another 3D cube pop out at you just below the red diamonds. You're almost to the climax.

Continue to move the pen closer to you until the two orange diamonds merge. Look at the 3D scene just below them, and you should see it pop out at you. Look just below this 3D scene and you will see the same scene only animated!!

Congratulations, you have now succeeded in free-viewing a 3D stereogram!!

Note: it can be a bit tricky focusing on the pen but paying attention to the image. As you move the pen closer to you, the image should technically begin to blur if you're focused on the pen. The challenge is to switch your focus from the pen to the image WITHOUT changing the convergence of your eyes. It takes some practice for most people because it is an attempt to overcome years of conditioning between your occulomotor system (eye muscles) and your cornea. Some people can do this easily. I first developed the skill with simple repeating patterns like chain link fences. This is why I use a similar diamond pattern in this guide.