Lithophanes are 3D photographs that when viewed in normal lighting look a little dull and lifeless. But when back lit transform into stunning 3D pictures with depth and detail that cannot be seen in a flat 2D photograph.

For a lithophane to spring into life when lit from behind or held up to the light, the material must be translucent - allow light to pass through, but NOT Transparent. The 3D effect is a direct result of machining the photograph thinner for the light regions and leaving the darker areas thicker, which PhotoVCarve does automatically. The variation in material thickness determines how much light passes through the material.

The ideal material to machine lithophanes into is 1/4" (6mm) White Hanex which is a acrylic solid surface material manufactured by HANEX. It can be hard to acquire Hanex because it's only sold to specialist suppliers and used by accredited tradesman.

	Original Image		Backlight Image
	Original Image		Backlight Image

A lithophane  is an etched or molded artwork in thin very translucent solid surface that can only be seen clearly when back lit with a light source.

A lithophane presents a three dimensional image - completely different from two dimensional engravings and daguerreotypes that are "flat". The images change characteristics depending on the light source behind them. Window lithophane panel scenes change throughout the day depending upon the amount of sunlight. The varying lightsource is what makes lithophanes more interesting to the viewer than two dimensional pictures.

The word "lithophane" derives from Greek "litho", which is from "lithos" which means stone or rock, and "phainein" meaning "to cause to appear" or "to cause to appear suddenly". From this is derived a meaning for lithophane of "light in stone" or to "appear in stone" as the three dimensional image appears suddenly when lit with a back light source.