The Ambiguous Cylinder illusion is a visual illusion that involves the perception of depth and shape in a two-dimensional image.
The illusion is created by an image of a cylinder that is viewed from an angle, which can appear to be either a cylinder or two faces in front of a cylinder.
The image is said to be “ambiguous” because it can be perceived in two different ways.
Table of Contents
- How does the Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion work?
- Illusions like the Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion
- Discovery of the Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion
- References and Resources
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How does the Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion work?
The illusion is created by the way the brain interprets the shape and shading of the image. The brain uses cues such as the relative size and position of the different parts of the image, as well as the way light falls on the object, to perceive depth and shape.
In the case of the Ambiguous Cylinder illusion, the brain is presented with conflicting cues, which leads to the perception of two different interpretations of the same image.
The Ambiguous Cylinder illusion is a type of ambiguous illusion, which is a type of visual illusion in which an image can be perceived in multiple ways.
Ambiguous illusions are often created by using geometric shapes and shading to create conflicting cues about the depth and shape of an object.
In the case of the Ambiguous Cylinder illusion, the image of a cylinder viewed from an angle can be perceived as either a cylinder or two faces in front of a cylinder.
The image is said to be “ambiguous” because it can be perceived in two different ways.
It is also a kind of optical illusion, which are visual effects that are caused by the way the eye and brain process visual information. These illusions can occur because of the way the visual system interprets light, color, and motion, and can be categorized as static or kinetic illusions. The Ambiguous Cylinder illusion is a static illusion, which means that it does not involve the perception of motion.
Version of the Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion
To better understand the Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion, you should really watch this brief video:
Illusions like the Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion
The Ambiguous Cylinder illusion is an example of a “depth-ambiguous” image which can be perceived in different ways.
This illusion is interesting because it shows that our perception of depth and shape is not always based on a single, objective interpretation of the visual information.
The way the brain processes the visual information is influenced by the context and the prior knowledge.
Some related illusions include the following:
The Necker cube is an optical illusion that features a simple wireframe drawing of a cube. The cube appears to switch back and forth between two different orientations.
The Schröder Staircase is an optical illusion that features a drawing of a staircase. The staircase appears to be either ascending or descending, depending on how the brain interprets the angles of the lines.
The impossible cube is an optical illusion that depicts a three-dimensional object that is physically impossible to construct.
The Penrose triangle, also known as the Penrose tribar, is an optical illusion that depicts a three-dimensional object that is physically impossible to construct.
The impossible trident is a three-pronged impossible shape resembling a trident. It is usually depicted as a three-pronged fork with each prong appearing to be a continuation of the next, creating an impossible shape.
The spinning dancer illusion is a visual illusion that depicts a silhouette of a dancer spinning clockwise or counterclockwise. The direction of the dancer’s spin can appear to change depending on the viewer’s perception
Discovery of the Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion
A popular version of the Ambiguous Object Illusion or the Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion was designed by Kokichi Sugihara of Meiji University in Japan.
Kokichi Sugihara is a professor at Meiji University in Japan and a renowned researcher in the field of visual perception and geometric illusions. He is known for his work on the perception of three-dimensional shapes and the creation of impossible objects and other optical illusions.
Sugihara is particularly known for his work on impossible objects, which are three-dimensional shapes that appear to be impossible to construct in the real world. He has created a wide range of impossible objects and geometric illusions, many of which have been featured in exhibitions and popular science publications.
He has published many papers, articles, and books about his research on visual perception and geometric illusions. He has received several awards for his work, including the Best Illusion of the Year contest in 2010, and the The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Prize in 2016.
Sugihara is also known for his work on the application of geometric illusions to design and engineering, he has created a wide range of impossible objects and geometric illusions, many of which have been featured in exhibitions and popular science publications.
References and Resources
Check out our complete list of illusions.