The first step in lenticular design is to choose the right lenticular effect corresponding with the marketing idea. You have to focus not only on the design content but also on limitations of lenticular technology. The lenticular technique allows to obtain two families of effects: 3Dimensional and movement.
All objects are distributed on layers in a way which gives an illusion of 3D space. Using of that effect intensifies the feeling of reality of the scene and attracts wide audiences. There are four ways of getting 3D image. Layering, 2D to 3D conversion (when we digitally convert 2D image to 3D using software and know-how), rendering 3D images using 3D software like 3D max, Maya or Lightwave, or special photography (last two are called isometric).
Flip is a fast change between two or three images. The difference between animation and flip is that flip can consist of totally different images. This effect is perfect to illustrate ‘cause and effect’ or ‘before and after’ situation. The best effect could be achieved using two images. In that case it is easy to achieve good quality of every image and to avoid ‘ghost’ effect. ‘Ghost’ effect could be observed when one image is slightly visible on the next image – a kind of transition of images.
It is a clear change from an image A to an image B. In a creative area this is the best effect used to surprise the observer with a clear change between two subjects. Flip effect is used in any visual communication context to develop strategic ideas like:
“Before/After”, „On/Off”, “Day/Night”
Animation is a series of images constituting motion. The main aspect of animation is that these images have to be a bit similar to each other. This effect expresses motion perfectly. The number of frames possible to implement depends on their similarity and runs from five to twenty five.
Some effects could be mixed. For instance you can mix 3D with some flip. It can be done only when lens are perpendicular to your eyes.