Photo products

How to activate the software?

1. Save the activation file you got after the purchase to your hard drive. If it is a zip archive with the activation txt file inside – unpack it.
2. Download and install the demo version. The Activation dialogue appears.
3. If you purchased the box version with the USB protection key – insert the key into a USB slot.
4. Press the Open… button in the Activation dialogue and select your activation txt file.
5. Press the Activate button.
Don’t use the copy-past operation when activating. Use the Open… button in the Activation dialogue.

How can I upgrade the software? Do I have to pay the full price for the new program?

When you upgrade the software (for instance, from 3DMasterKit Photo A5+ to 3DMasterKit Professional) you have to pay only the price difference. If you want to get an additional license for another computer you get a 20% discount. The discount increases depending on the number of copies purchased.
Contact our sales department to get a discount.

How do I update the software?

You can update the software FOR FREE within 1 year from the purchase, upgrade or the previous update. Just download the new version from the product page and activate it with your key.
After the free update period is over contact our sales department to get a coupon code for the update. You should purchase the software and apply this disount coupon code. You will get the new activation code after the purchase.
You will have to pay 25% of the current software price for a 1-year subscription.

Do you have any Guidance and/or some pieces of advice concerning the production technology?

A detailed step by step description of the production process is in the software User Guides (menu item Help → Contents). Demo versions of applications are accessible for downloading from the web-site. Together with the demo version you will get full documentation including the description of the work process, advice and case studies. You will get a lot of usefull information from the video tutorials and articles on our web-site. You can also discuss the prooduction process issues on the forum.

Can I use your software on a Mac?

Although we do not have products available for Mac OS, our clients successfully use Windows emulators like Parallels (as well as VMware, Bootcamp, Crossover or VirtualBox) with our software.

What is the difference between 3DMasterKit and Legend?

Triaxes Legend is based on Triaxes 3DMasterKit and has all the functionality of this software. Both programs generate an encoded image for lenticular printing in the same way.
Triaxes Legend is intended to prepare stereo/flip images for printing on the lenticular materal directly using special large-format UV-plotters: Mimaki, Arizona, Sun, etc.
Triaxes Legend has a range of additional functions that enable to generate an image for printing on the lenticular lens.
The following peculiarities of Triaxes Legend compared to 3DMasterKit allow to prepare an image for printing on the lenticular material.

  • Source image transparency support, output image transparency support;
  • Mirroring of the encoded image;
  • Positioning frame generation for more accurate lenticular lens positioning;
  • Different image resolutions for X- and Y-axis.

    • Is it better to print the image along or across?

    When printing a pitch test or encoded image, make sure the print head moves across the code stripes of the image.
    In this case the printer’s print head rather than the rollers is responsible for the distance between code stripes. The print head is a more accurate tool.

    Are there any peculiarities in flip image production?

    Here are important aspects that should be taken into account:
    1. It is very important to make an accurate pitch test;
    2. When choosing source images, do not choose images with high contrasting colors;
    3. When encoding the image in the program, choose the horizontal encoding option;
    4. Print quality:
    – make sure the function enabling to print without margins is disabled in the printer’s settings,
    – calibrate your printer because heads get loose,
    – pay special attention to ink quality because when the ink of the CIS is too thin, it streaks to the neighboring stripes of the image, which decreases the image quality. One image starts peeping out of another one on the resulting print or the switch from one image to another one doesn’t seem to be synchronous.
    – When printing a pitch test or encoded image, make sure the print head moves across the code stripes of the image.
    5. Use special paper for inkjet printers, the best choice is – glossy paper with medium paper density (180-200);
    6. Use the lenticular sheet with the maximum viewing angle;
    7. Bond the printed image to the lenticular sheet accurately. You can start with using a special tuning frame that can be set in the software.

    What is the purpose of the pitch-test?

    The pitch-test is needed to determine the encoding step. Lenticular lens suppliers specify the lenticular lens step round number (lpi), for instance 70 lpi. The lenticuar lens step may slightly change in different batches. Such a peculiarity is common among lenticular lens suppliers. The encoding step must coincide with the lenticuar lens step with pin-point accuracy. The encoding step depends not only on the lenticular lens step, but also on characteristics of the printer and paper being used. That is why it is very important to make a pitch-test when you start working with a new printer or new batches of lenticuar material or paper. The pitch-test allows to determine the encoding step accurate to the second or third decimal place. The value that you will get (for example, 70.5 lpi) will be used to encode the images for the lenticular material from the batch being tested.

    How to make a pitch-test correctly?

    The detailed instructions on how to perform a pitch-test can be found in the 3DMasterKit User Guide in Section 2.10.2 “Correcting the encoding pitch”, page 19.

    Switch to the Lenticular tab of the Navigator window and press Generate Pitch test. There will appear the Pitch test dialogue where you should specify the lenticular step in lpi (for example, 70 lpi) as well as the printer resolution in ppi.
    You can leave all the other parameters as they are. The test step (lpi) must be 0.1.
    The program will automatically determine the resolution of the printer connected to your computer in ppi (see the bottom part of the dialogue). Enter this value into the Resolution field. Then you need to press the Generate button and print the test on the paper that will be used for final images. Let the test image dry.
    Apply the test image to the lenticular material being tested, match the test image stripes with the lens and press tight. Then choose the code stripe that changes its color simultaneously along its full length. The number value of the stripe (for example, 70.1) – is the target value of the pitch-test. Use this value to generate encoded images. You can also watch this video on the topic.

    You can make a follow-up pitch-test and find the second decimal number. To do that – change the following values in the dialogue:

    1) Change the test step into 0.01
    2) Change the step value (lpi) into the value found during the first pitch-test.

    As a result all the numeric values of test stripes will have 2 digits after the decimal point (for example, 70.1).

    Is it necessary to use Photoshop to prepare images?

    Photoshop (as well as any other image editor) may be needed to create layers for the source image or create a depth map using 1 source image. Read the StereoTracer UserGuide for the detailed description on how to create a depth map.
    StereoTracer enables to generate a series of frames out of a source image and a depth map. You can save such a series and import it into 3DMasterKit to create a 3D image.

    How is CMYK images support realized?

    CMYK images support is realized when you open PSD files and save (encode) your results into a PSD file.
    When you open a CMYK image, temporary inner copies are created in the RGB model so that you could see the source images on the screen (displays work with RGB). When the image is encoded CMYK data are used (in the “To file” mode only). The encoded image is NOT converted to RGB and is NOT shown on the display. When the encoded image is created the color profile of the FIRST (source) image is used.

    What is the templates' purpose? How to work with them? Is it necessary to use Photoshop to process templates?

    A template is a file prepared in Photoshop with image elements (objects) divided on layers.
    Photographers generally use templates to quickly create colorful children and wedding design stereo photos.
    3DMasterKit application provides ample opportunities to adjust the template. You can exchange places of layers, replace, scale and rotate elements of a template at any angle. The software allows any number of modifications that can be executed without any loss of quality. Besides, all modifications can be canceled or repeated thanks to the multi-stage feature Undo/Redo.

    Perform this sequence of operations when working with templates:
    1. Launch 3DMasterKit;
    2. Open a file with a template;
    3. Add any photo that you’d like to decorate with a stereo-template;
    4. After a template is adjusted the generation command can be executed. 3DMasterKit creates a sequence of frames for encoding.
    5. Sequence of frames for lenticular screen can be encoded or saved for further processing.
    6. Adjusted template can be saved as a “project” for further use.

    3DMasterKit enables to combine templates with each other, create new templates using the existing ones. You can open a few templates in the application and compile a new theme, which can be used for the further photo decoration. You can create new graphical elements in Photoshop, which can be easily added into existing templates, or create new templates.

    Is it possible to use lenticular lens without the adhesive layer?

    The lenticular layer without the adhesive layer is generally used for direct printing with large-format plotters. When you print on paper and then combine your image with the lenticular material, it is better to use the lenticular lens with the adhesive layer applied by a manufacturer. Theoretically you can apply the adhesive layer to the lenticular material yourself using a laminator. For that transparent bi-adhesive scotch tape is used. However, you should keep in mind that when you apply the adhesive layer yourself, you may get a lot of defective material as it is difficult to provide aseptic conditions.

    What is the purpose of the laminator, what are the special requirements to pay attention to?

    You will need a laminator to apply the printed encoded image to the adhesive layer of the lenticular lens. You can use any laminator that has the cold lamination mode (where you can regulate heat of rolls). The lenticular material can be applied to an image at a temperature of not more than 40 degrees Centigrade (to remove air bubbles).

    Is it possible to preview the image before printing?

    You can preview the intended stereo effect on the screen in the following modes:

  • Anaglyph mode. Special red-cyan glasses are needed to view anaglyph stereo images.
  • Stereo pair for the direct view on the screen in 3DMasterKit. You do not need any special devices to watch the stereo pair on the screen in this mode. Just defocus your eyes in such a way that each eye looks at its own picture of a stereo pair.
  • Animation mode helps to see the final result more vividly. The applications enable to save effects into animated .gif and .avi files (these are short videos that can be used to demonstrate the effect to a customer or put on your web-site).

    • How to choose lenticular lens?

    Lenticular lenses differ in three parameters:

  • a number of LPI;
  • lens thickness;
  • viewing angle.

    • 1. Lens per inch (LPI). The more LPI, the thinner the lenses, correspondingly, the more of them there are in one inch. Lenticular sheets with high LPI (60-100) are generally used for viewing images from short distances and for creating small formatted production (from the size of a small calendar to pictures of 50×70 cm). Lenticular sheets with low LPI (10-20) are used for viewing from the distance of more than 3 meters and are usually used for large-format works (advertising panels, light-boxes, sign plates). The higher index of LPI (the thinner lenses) you have, the more print quality you need (resolution, printing accuracy).
    2. Lens thickness is connected with the LPI index. Generally, the more LPI the lenticular sheet has, the thinner it is. Lenticular screens of 60-100 LPI are the thinnest. They can be firm or flexible. Flexible lenses are used for souvenir production, labels, greeting cards, covers; firm ones are better for pictures, portraits and so on.
    Lenticular sheets of 10-40 LPI are thicker and firmer, and they are used to make large-format production.
    3. Viewing angle. The smaller viewing angle the lenticular lens has, the more depth the stereo image printed on such a lens has. According to this characteristic lenticular lenses are divided into the following types:

  • all-purpose lenses (viewing angle: 44-45 degrees) – are suit for stereo as well as flip images;
  • 3D lenses (viewing angle smaller than 30 degrees) – are suit for stereo images;
  • Flip lenses (viewing angle greater than 45 degrees) – are suit for all kind of flip effects.

    •  

    What printer should I use to print stereo and flip images?

    The best printers for printing encoded lenticular images are high-definition inkjet photo printers (EPSON, Canon, etc.), large-format UV plotters enabling to print on the lenticular material (Mimaki, Arizona, etc.). You can also use offset printing machines and Canon’s new-generation laser printers.

    How can I get rid of moiré?

    In color printing moiré occurs as a result of lens interference with the image color dots. Moiré appears when you print images using printers that form a color dot in a regular way. To reduce the moiré effect you need to rotate the image a little bit before printing. The rotation angle can be measured with a protractor.
    Every color has its angle. Focus on the dominant color and choose the rotation angle that enables to cut down the moiré effect to a minimum.
    You can rotate the image by the calculated angle in the application with the help of the Rotate precise dialogue (menu item: Edit → Transform → Rotate precise). Hot keys: Ctrl+Alt+R.

    How can I get rid of 3D image “ghosting” (doubling of the 3D image)?

    The “ghosting” effect may be caused by the following:

    1. Encoding step is not accurate
    You need to make a pitch-test and use the most accurate (probably, even to the fourth decimal place) encoding step when you encode the image (see the 3DMasterKit User Guide, Section 2.10.2 “Correcting the encoding pitch”, page 19.)
    2. Inaccurate alignment of the image to the lenticular material. Ensure that you matched the lenses with the stripes of the encoded image accurately and only after that stick them together. For more accurate alignment you can use the Alignment marks that are printed around the image and enable to control the alignment: when you look at the image perpendicularly you should see the volume and depth of the 3D effect, especially in the central part of the image. Switching from one stereo zone to another one should occur when you change the observing position to the left and to the right by the same angle. Watch the image carefully at the intended viewing distance.
    3. Inaccurate printing
    Calibrate your printer to increase print accuracy.
    4. Ink smearing.
    Choose ink and CIS (continuous ink system) of a good quality, because if your ink smears, print accuracy worsens. The stripes of such an encoded image will not match the stripe width of the lenses. Ink smearing may be also caused by defective paper.
    5. Printer settings are wrong
    Check the Borderless (print) checkbox in printer settings.
    6. Parallax is too big
    If you observed all the conditions above, your foreground objects are doubling because the parallax value is too big. Decrease the parallax value.

    How should I calculate the parallax?

    Parallax is the shift in positions of objects on stereo image frames. The greater the parallax, the greater the 3D effect. However, if the parallax is too big, it may cause viewer discomfort (“ghosting”/doubling of foreground objects). When you perform stereo shooting, various parameters (photographic base, distances to the objects, etc.) influence the parallax. Triaxes StereoMeter will help calculate the parameters of stereo shooting.
    When you create a 3D lenticular image by generating layers, you can set the parallax value in % of the image width. In Triaxes 3DMasterKit (and Legend) you can set the background parallax, that regulates how objects will be pushed away from the viewer, and foreground parallax, that regulates object “protrusion” from the image.
    Changing the background and foreground parallaxes proportionally influences all the layers and regulates the 3D effect of the resulting image.
    The 3D effect depends on many conditions, as well as image design and composition, that is why there are no univocal recommendations on how to choose parallax values. Experience has shown that good results can be obtained with the parallax values ranging from 3% to 7%. The software default parallax value is 5%.
    Moreover, project layers are arranged by their distances (the layer closest to the viewer is situated at the top of the scale). The distances between layers are set in %.

    You can control the 3D effect of your project in 2 ways:
    1) change the background and/or foreground parallaxes;
    2) change the distances to individual objects using the scale.

    If the 3D effect on the resulting image seems too small, you can increase the parallax values up to 7% or even 10%. You can also draw closer the foreground objects and set back the background.
    If the foreground objects look blurry on the resulting 3D image, you can reduce the foreground parallax up to 3% or reduce the protrusion of the foreground objects up to 60-70%.
    We recommend to work out your own scheme for your projects and materials.
    See also the 3DMasterKit User Guide, section 4.2 The process of making a multilayer photo, page 60.

    How can I calculate the necessary number of frames for a 3D image?

    The number of frames (N) in a multi-view series, which is used to create a 3D image, influences the 3D image quality. If the number of frames is small, 3D image zones of comfort become narrow. Doubling and abrupt transitions between individual stereo pairs may occur.
    The minimal number of frames required for getting a satisfactory 3D image can be calculated with this formula:

    Nmin=Res/Pitch,

    where:
    Nmin – minimal number of source frames;
    Res – print resolution;
    Pitch – lenticular lens step – lens per inch (lpi).

    For example, if you encode the image with the 600 ppi resolution and the lenticular lens step is 60 lpi (pitch=60), then you need at least 10 frames. Practically, you can increase the value that you got by 2-3 times, if computational resources of you computer allow you to do that. It will help to get higher quality of a 3D image.

    What is the difference between resolution in PPI and DPI?

    Printer resolution is specified in DPI (dots per inch). When you process an image in the program, image resolution is specified in ppi (pixels per inch). The printer driver receives the image for processing in ppi (physical resolution). When the image is printed, several dots are needed to create one pixel, that’s why printer resolution in dpi is usually higher than the one in ppi. For Epson photo printers the resolution is usually 720 ppi, for Canon printers – 600 ppi. You will find the resolution of the printer connected to your computer in 3DMasterKit in the Pitch test dialogue. Use this value when you encode your images.

    Is it possible to install the software on several computers?

    The license allows you to install the software on your PC and additionally on your laptop. You can activate the program on both computers using one and the same activation key sent to you after the purchase. If you use the software protected by a hardware key (box version), the program will work only on one PC.

    How can I restore my program if I reinstalled the operation system or changed my computer?

    We recommend to save a back-up copy of the program and all its updates to some storage media. We also recommend to back up your activation code sent to your after the purchase. It will help to restore and activate the software after changing the OS or computer.
    If you lost the back-up copy or activation code, our specialists will help you restore the software and the activation code from our data base. In some cases an update is required.

    Can I print images with a Mini Photo Lab or use services of photo studios?

    It is possible to print your images using a Mini Photo Laboratory (MPL) if it is equipped with the necessary equipment: Konika R2Super, D-Сarrier D4 (thermal sublimation printing method). If you want to test equipment of other brands, you will need a lenticular sheet and an image prepared in 3DMasterKit. A pitch test image created in the demo version can also serve as a test image. You will find the instructions on how to create a pitch test in the 3DMasterKit User Guide (Help → Contents). When you print images using a MPL, you should take into account one peculiarity: MPLs perform automatic image scaling to the optimum size (from the point of view of a MPL). You should deactivate this option and print your images in their natural (1:1) size, as they were generated in the program. It means that you will have to change the settings of your MPL every time you start printing your encoded 3D images. Not every photo studio will agree to do that, however, it depends on the volume of orders. It is much easier to buy a low-cost inkjet photo printer, for example, from the EPSON Stylus Photo series.

    Are there any discounts if I need 2 or more copies of the same program?

    If you purchase several licenses for working on several computers, for example, in one company, you can get discounts: 20% – for the second working place, 30% – for the third working place, 35% – for the fourth working place, 40% – for five and more working places.

    Are there any discounts if I need 2 or more copies of different programs?

    If you purchase 2 licenses of different programs – we provide a 10% discount. If you pucrhase more than 2 programs – the discount increases up to 20%.

    How to use a discount coupon code?

    To get a discount on a product it is necessary to enter a coupon code into the special discount field when making an order, as it is shown below.

     

     

     

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