Afterimage Illusion Generator

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Create Your Illusion Step by Step

Transform your image by inverting all the colours

⏳ Ready to invert

Remove all colour to create a black and white version

⏳ Complete step 1 first

Set up the timing and create your afterimage sequence

⏳ Complete steps 1 & 2 first

Try the demo: Click one of the demo buttons above to load a sample image
Upload your own: Use the file input to select your image, or download the standalone version
Create step by step: Follow the 3 steps to create inverted, grayscale, and sequenced versions
Adjust timing: Set how long each phase should last (15 seconds for inverted works well)
Start the illusion: Click "Start Illusion" and stare at the white dot in the centre
Watch the magic: You'll see inverted, then grayscale, then original - but the grayscale will appear in full colour!
Science explanation: Your cone cells become fatigued from staring at the inverted colours, so when you see the grayscale image, your brain fills in the complementary colours