MAKING THE ANAGLYPH MAP 
Kresimir Kerestes 
Geodetski zavod Slovenije d.d. 
Zemljemerska 12, Ljubljana 
KEY WORDS: stereoscopy, binocular viewing, DEM, anaglyph, anaglyph map 
ABSTRACT: 
Representation of the relief on the maps requires some knowledge of the map users to understand it. 
Different cartographical techniques and methods are used to represent the third dimension - relief on two- 
dimensional maps. Binocular viewing enables a spatial perception (stereo-effect), that could be used for 
cartographical purposes as well. This was tested on an example, where a classical two-dimensional map was 
converted into “three-dimensional” by using an anaglyph. 
1. INTRODUCTION 
Colour perception of the visible light and binocular 
viewing gives us possibility of viewing our 
surrounding in natural way. In this way we recognise 
our surrounding and because of that we feel in the 
space domestic, orientated and even safe. 
In cartography different techniques were developed 
to represent the relief on two-dimensional maps and 
to show them in appointed scale. Many of this 
techniques, specialy contouring, hill-shading with 
hachuring of rocks and layer tinting, or even digital 
elevation model (DEM) gives us at least some three 
dimensional feeling of shown area. For 
understanding of real world shown with this 
techniques we should first learn, how to use this 
maps. Cartographers are still looking for more 
appropriate way to represent terrain for easier 
spatial perception to all users of two-dimensional 
maps. 
I made a test in making the map in a way, which 
give users better feeling of third dimension. Used 
technique is more known in photogrammetry for 
appointing a position of point in space with binocular 
viewing. 
Figure 1: The map in vector’s form.