Magic zoetrope: representation of animation by multi-layer 3D zoetrope with a semitransparent mirror

Abstract

In this research, we propose a multilayered 3D zoetrope called the "Magic Zoetrope", which makes it possible to animate two independent object groups concurrently and to represent various alterations in the animation, unlike a conventional 3D zoetrope. A conventional 3D zoetrope has only one object group that is illuminated by a unitary strobe light, so that the presented animation is always periodic and unchanged. Some studies [Miyashita et al. 2016; Smoot et al. 2010; Yoshida et al. 2016] and artworks, for example the Time Stratum series by Toshio Iwai, attempted to expand the range of expression of 3D zoetropes, but they did not focus on animating multiple subjects with alterations in the mutual relation between them as in the video animation.