autostereogram

plural autostereograms

1. A single-image stereogram, designed to trick the human eye and brain into seeing a three-dimensional scene in a two-dimensional image.

   To see a random dot autostereogram correctly, draw the eyes (and face) towards, say, within one inch of the image, and then slowly pull away, until the central 3D shape coalesces into view.

   1 more example

   If you stared at the pattern long enough, your brain would trick itself into seeing a hidden 3D image. It was called an autostereogram, and it was easy to make one if you were a moderately skilled programmer.

   2022, Gabrielle Zevin, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Vintage (2023), page 7

   Synonyms: magic eye