how to see stereograms

hi

for those who still have problems with stereograms i made simple schema to explain how to see SGs

ofcourse real SG has hidden picture
but in general every repeated pattern can be seen as SG
even striped wallpaper even tablecloth
and it doesn't matter if pattern is dotted striped or anything else
if you know how to defocus you'll see 3D effect

i hope my schema will help with great stereograms
(ie gary's ones)

EDIT: i added third frame to expose sledger's way of looking at SGs

Even though I understand the principle of "seeing" stereograms, and your diagram explains it eloquently, there is a point where the stereogram begins to emerge, and one's eyes are involuntarily pulled in to focus on the screen, you are either able to stop that happening, in which case the stereogram may be seen in all its glory, or if one can't prevent oneself from refocusing, then the wonderful world of stereograms will remain hidden.
Saludos,
Bob.

Funnily I focus a few inches 'in front' of the screen surface, in other words, at a point closer to me that the actual screen surface.
My eyes are slightly crossed at this point and the convergence of my sight causes the stereogram to appear at that same point. As it takes shape, I can relax my eyes and focus easily on the SG itself which appears at that same focal point in front of and away from the screen surface.

Thanks Pixel. That is an excellent explanation.

All of my stereograms are made for parallel viewing (your center illustration).

You can look at the image with cross eyes but the image will appear to go back and not forward.

Nope - the image appear to extend outwards from the screen for me.
It does have depth through the hollow centre, but it definately extends out from the screen.

Thanks, but SG will just have to remain hidden. If I look with crossed eyes I see 2 and then get a headache soon after.

I usually use the method of focusing 6 inches or so behind the screen. Sometimes if that is not working,
I try rocking forward and backward or side-to-side a little bit while still focusing behind the screen. Kind
of a gentle pulsing. That often helps to speed things up.

no one said one v important thing
both eyes should be on the same horizon
it's the key issue
i have no problem with SG and i can assure you
if you tilt the head just a bit then SG disappears