Unlocking the Third Dimension: A Comprehensive Guide to Depth Maps in AI-Generated Art

Depth maps are single-channel images representing the distance of pixels in a scene from the viewer. They play a crucial role in creating 3D effects from 2D images. Typically, depth maps use shades of grey and white, with white representing areas closer to the camera and darker shades indicating farther distances. These maps provide valuable information about a scene's depth, allowing for the transformation of flat 2D images into more dynamic, three-dimensional representations.

Depth maps offer exciting possibilities for enhancing AI-generated art. They can be used to create animations that give the illusion of depth to 2D images, generate basic 3D models for import into software like Blender, produce stereo side-by-side images for VR headsets, and create anaglyph images for viewing with 3D glasses. By leveraging depth information, artists can bring their AI-generated creations to life, adding a new dimension to their work.

To work with depth maps in AI-generated images, you'll need specific tools and extensions. The primary requirement is an up-to-date installation of the Automatic1111 WebUI for Stable Diffusion. Additionally, you'll need to install the stable-diffusion-webui-depthmap-script extension, which can be found in the Automatic1111 Extensions tab or installed from GitHub. For those not using Automatic1111, a standalone Gradio interface is available by cloning the repository and running the main.py script.

The Depth Extension in Automatic1111 offers two main ways to work with depth maps. Users can compute depth maps from existing images in the Depth tab or generate them simultaneously with image creation using the Scripts dropdown. The Depth tab provides numerous options for customizing the depth map generation process, including model selection, size matching, boosting, and various output formats.

To generate depth maps, users can choose from various models, each with its own strengths and limitations. The default model, res101, is based on AdelaiDepth/LeReS, while others utilize MiDaS and ZoeDepth implementations. Options like Boost can significantly improve results but may increase computation time. Users can also customize the output by inverting the depth map, adjusting near and far clip thresholds, and combining the depth map with the original image.

Once generated, depth maps can be used in various ways. They can be employed to create 3D animations, generate stereoscopic images for VR headsets, produce anaglyph images for 3D glasses, and even create simple 3D meshes. The Depth Extension also offers options for background removal and normal map generation, further expanding the creative possibilities for AI artists.

For more advanced applications, users can generate 3D inpainted meshes, which can be used to create videos with custom camera movements. The Generate Video subtab allows for the creation of animations with adjustable parameters such as frame count, framerate, and camera trajectory. Additionally, the generated .obj and .ply files can be imported into 3D modeling software like Blender for further manipulation and enhancement.

The 3D effects created using depth maps can be viewed in various ways. Side-by-side stereo images can be experienced on VR devices like the Oculus Quest or through apps like Google Cardboard. Anaglyph images can be viewed with inexpensive red/cyan 3D glasses, offering a accessible way to experience depth effects. Online tools like Depth Player and Depthy provide interactive platforms for visualizing and experimenting with depth maps, allowing artists to fine-tune their creations and share them with a wider audience.