Depth and orientation through surface transparency

Abstract

In the research described in this article we have tested the idea that the recovery of depth and orientation of twodimensional patterns is aided by constraints in the physical world. We presented a variant on a bistable Necker cube. the surfaces of the cube were constructed from transparent planes. We examined which color compositions lead to the highest number of correct identifications of orientation. the results can be explained on the assumption that people use constraints present in additive color mixture. When this type of mixture is used, it leads to significantly better responses. the luminance of the mixed color is the largest contributor.

Luminance Determinants of Perceived Surface Stratification in Two-Dimensional Achromatic Transparent Patterns

“…Compound surfaces such as the overlapping squares in figure 1a are more distinct and more identifiable when they are transparent than when they are nontransparent (Gerritsen et al 1995;Trueswell and Hayhoe 1993;Watanabe and Cavanagh 1992;de Weert 1986). That is, the luminance factors that determine the transparency of a compound surface also determine the segregation of this surface from other surfaces.…”