Including the above image of "The Dragon Man" (Homo longi), .jpgs vary greatly in their file sizes, resolutions and use cases.

But they have one thing in common: They are all "static"; meaning, there is no movement of any element(s) within the picture.

In contrast, .gifs are rightly named "animated images"; possessing varying degrees of elemental movement.

Recently, a couple of new, dynamic types of images have blasted onto the scene and is quickly gaining popularity and praise from professionals, digital art hobbyists, and newbies alike.

The whole NFT/Metaverse space is abuzz with excitement over the new image formats' superior aesthetics, heightened realism, potential use cases and most importantly, the "right place, right time" compatibility with "All things digital, internet and metaverse, etc.".

And after learning how to make them by myself, I honestly believe that the "All things digital..." part IS NOT hyperbole.

If I can teach myself how to create these new species of digital images in about 38 hours on my cheap smartphone, I believe, with sufficient focus, others can do the same - possibly, even in less time.

Granted, I have no alarm clock, no job and no boss.

I'll be 59 y/o at the end of this month and have been retired for >18 years.

Consequently, I have more "Discretionary, Personal Time" - aka more time to "F*ck-off and do whatever I feel like", than those still participating in full-time employment.

'Nuff said about that, back on topic: New, superior types of images.

Images that don't require years of Photoshop, Blender, Maya, Gimp or AutoCAD experience and a million dollar, monster computer rig to create beautifully rendered, professional level, metaverse products and personal, NFT Avatars is totally possible.

So, without further adieu...

Behold, "The 3D Gif!" (TBH, my first one.)

Notice how it manages to have an impressive "3D Effect" without the need to wear those geeky, red and blue Stereoscopic (Anaglyph 3D) glasses.

The second new image type is what amounts to "Three-Dimensional Interactive Images".

Imagine this.

When viewing the image on a smartphone screen, any movement - no matter how slight - of the phone alters the phone's position in 3D space and triggers a set of complex, highly orchestrated adjustments that correspond with the correct view of the image per orientation of the smartphone.

When viewing the image on your desktop's computer screen, you can replicate the same effects by running your mouse pointer over different parts of the image.

This is no small feat.

With a change in 3D space, the primary vantage point, peripheral field of vision, DOF [Depth of Field], elemental relationships, shadows, lighting and other space/time, contextual support elements change also.

Combined with the necessary, real-time corrections of "intentional distortions" to enhance human visual perception (Just think of the weird dimensions of Roman Pillars, and the "incoherent blobs of messy paint" - when viewed up close, that miraculously turn into Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel Masterpiece from the perspective of someone at ground level).

That's what you get with "Three-Dimensional Interactive Images".

"Three-Dimensional Interactive Images" is a tedious mouthful, no?

By my unilateral power as the author of this post, I officially authorize the acronym "3DIP" (3-Dimensional Interactive Pictures)

Even my truncated explanation of how "3DIP" works its magic sounds way too complicated, no?

And is the energy, algorithms and CPU clock cycles worth it?

I think so.

Follow this link to see my "3DFIP" on my intentionally neglected Facebook account.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=696290418419471

Have fun manipulating the "3DIP" with your mouse.

Final Notes: "3DIP" Integrated Posting, Sharing and Viewing Platforms

Depending on which platform you created your 3D.gifs or "3DFIP" images, you may or may not have the ability to post your 3D creations to "FakeBook", "InstaFlam" or "Fritter".

As of yet, there is no universal standard for "3DIP" files.

It will probably take the better part of this year for the significant players in the Consumer 3D Creation space to agree on some kind of cross-platform "3DIP" extension and file type standardization.

I don't like being shackled to the three favorite places of "Zuckermann's Famous Pig" to promote my 3D NFTs.

So, until I can post, share and display in venues of my own choosing, I'll be creating 3D Gifs for minting into NFTs.

Unlike 3DIPs, right now I am free to display, share and sell my original 3D Gifs from the marketplaces that I choose.

May you and yours be well and loving life today.

In Lak'ech, JaiChai

(JaiChai 17 JAN 2022. Simultaneous multi-site submissions posted. all rights reserved.)