Here is a design I came up with... let me know your thoughts on this:

The first two angles would be viewable by the audience. The second two 'extreme' angles expose the illusion.

http://imgur.com/a/gmqYU#0

I decided to take away the side supports as it makes it look thinner... http://imgur.com/a/vW4jw#0

The back beam didn't look attached, so I changed the angle of the 'optical illusion art' to wooden triangles instead of rectangles: http://imgur.com/a/illth#0

The drawings look like they would work. Try building a model to see how much actual space you have. Pick a scale first and remember that Barbie is not proportioned like real girls. You can go with full scale and use corrugated cardboard to be really sure.

Changed the scheme: http://imgur.com/a/B8HOW#0

Seems you'd want to do this in mirror image - so have the "wide" part closest to the audience. I think it will help your angles a bit.

I don't think it will work quite as it appears in a 2D drawing. Yes I realize its done using a 3D software, but it is still 2D as the 3rd dimension really only exists in the software and we see it as a 2D image. Perspective being the problem. A shape from a certain viewpoint will look spot-on 3D, especially thru a camera lens; but the very limited angles and our natural depth perception will likely just interpret it being somehow wrong.

Great example of tweaking a design digitally until you think it will work. A scaled down cardboard mock-up made with old fashioned scissors and card stock will educate you otherwise.

Made a very crude model: http://imgur.com/ZK08yQ3

I am very happy with the deception of it. It is viewable from pretty much every angle (except for extreme right). High and low looks good too... Even when it moves, the distortion looks like changing shadows. If it is moved forward towards the audience, you see little to no distortion.

I am going to work on a good 'middle ground' for the painting of the fake supports and play with different angles.

This has been done before.. Creative illusions in Vegas that is no longer around.

They did this 20 years ago..

On steps like this .. The front edge the audience sees is suppose to look thin.
The back end side is thick

unless you are doing this in the round.. Then you don't have a choice.

I like seeing people play with new ideas.. So I'm not trying to be negative... But this type of stairs have been done..

I have a photo of a crystal smoke chamber that had the steps.. I'm not sure how to share photos here

They always seem to be too big when I try..

Taylor

Hi Taylor,

Use ww.imgur.com to upload it... should be pretty easy. Thanks!

Grant

E mail me

taylor@taylorreed.com

and remind me that your the guy that would like to see the stairs..

Thanks

Taylor..