Complete guide: How to make 3D holograms with your mobile phone step by step

Would you like to amaze your friends and family by creating a holographic effect with your phone without spending any money? In this extensive and detailed tutorial, you'll find all the steps, technical explanations, and recommendations necessary to achieve it, integrating different homemade and digital techniques, as well as a comprehensive compilation of the best current apps and resources to take the experience to the next level. Discover how to make holograms with your phone using traditional methods, use household materials, and explore the most prominent apps for both Android and iOS, with useful tips for creating your own videos and maximizing the visual effect with stunning results.

What is a hologram and why do they work on mobile phones?

A hologram is a three-dimensional projection that gives the sensation of depth y costumes, allowing objects to appear to float in the air. On mobile devices, this effect is achieved thanks to the optical illusion known as Pepper's Ghost, a trick originating in the 19th century that has resurfaced with force thanks to digital screens and some transparent elements.

The key to this method lies in the ability to reflect images from the mobile phone screen onto surfaces arranged in a pyramid or prism shape, allowing the human eye to perceive a three-dimensional figure suspended in the center of the device. This technique is not only simple but also safe, economical, and fully customizable, allowing for experimentation with different materials and formats according to each user's preferences.

How to make holograms with your mobile using household items

Creating a homemade 3D hologram is within anyone's reach and only requires materials you probably already have at home. There are several effective variations, but they all share common principles. Here are different techniques, explained in detail:

Essential materials

• Transparent plastic casing of a CD or DVD, plexiglass 1 mm or rigid, transparent acetate. The size and type of plastic will influence the hologram's durability and transparency.
• Graph paper to draw the template accurately.
• Pencil, pen, or permanent marker to mark on the plastic.
• Ruler for making exact measurements.
• Scissors and/or cutter to precisely cut the pieces.
• Transparent adhesive tape (cello) and, optionally, glue gun to reinforce the joints.
• Mobile phone with a luminous screen.

For those looking for a more professional finish, you can also use cardstock to make a box-shaped structure and fix the plastic at an optimal angle of 45 degrees.

Step by Step: Building the Holographic Projector

1. Draw the template: Using graph paper, draw a trapezoid with a larger base of 6 cm, a smaller base of 1 cm, and a height of 3,5 cm. For larger versions, double the dimensions, maintaining the proportions. If you want to work on larger phones or tablets, adapt the measurements to the width of the screen.
2. Cut out the mold: Cut the trapezoid out of the paper to use as a reference on the CD case, Plexiglas, or acetate. Carefully mark four identical trapezoids on the transparent sheet with a permanent marker or pencil.
3. Cut the plastic: Use a utility knife very carefully to cut out the pieces, or scissors if the material is flexible enough. If you're working with CD/DVD cases, remove the edges and clean the surface thoroughly before cutting. For added safety, use a cloth to protect your hands and cut on a flat, stable surface.
4. Assembly: Join the four trapezoids to form a truncated pyramid (prism). You can use tape to join the inner edges, and for greater rigidity, seal the outer seams with a hot glue gun, which also ensures a firm and long-lasting hold.
5. Transparency and cleanliness: Before using the pyramid, clean the pieces thoroughly to remove fingerprints and dust, as any imperfections will reduce the sharpness of the holographic effect.

Alternative option with simple materials

For those who do not have CD or rigid plastic cases, another option is to make one cardboard box The exact width of your phone, lining the inside with transparent paper (acetate or similar) tilted at a 45-degree angle. This structure enhances the visual effect and offers a quick and customizable solution.

The Trick: Pepper's Ghost

The optical trick used is known as Pepper's Ghost, named after the scientist John Henry Pepper. It consists of reflecting bright images onto transparent surfaces arranged at an angle, creating the illusion of three-dimensional objects floating in space. This technique was originally used in theaters and is now perfectly suited to mobile screens, allowing you to create striking and surprising projections with results reminiscent of science fiction films.

Tips to maximize the hologram effect

• Place the pyramid on the screen with the smaller side facing down and carefully center it to take advantage of the full field of view.
• Turn off the lights in the room and make sure there are no external reflections that distract from the hologram.
• Turn your phone's brightness up to maximum for more vivid, vivid images.
• If you're looking for a professional result, use videos specifically designed for holograms (with four images reflected in a cross shape around the center of the screen).

How to create your own custom holographic videos

To go a step further, it is possible to create holographic videos Homemade recipes featuring your pets, friends, or any object you desire. This way, you can personalize your experience and surprise your loved ones even more. Follow these steps:

1. Recording in front of a green background: Record a video of the person, animal, or object you want to holograph, placing the subject in front of a green or blue screen (you can use a sheet or cardboard of that color) to facilitate later editing.
2. digital edition: Use video editing software capable of handling chroma key (remove the green background). For iPhone, you can use iMovie, which includes the Green/Blue Screen tool; for Android, there are alternatives like Kinemaster or PowerDirector. Cut out the background and leave only the animated silhouette.
3. Preparation for hologram: On a black background, place your video and repeat the image four times in a perfect cross, so that it is correctly reflected in the homemade pyramid (you can use programs like Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, or mobile apps specialized in duplicating images for holograms).
4. Export and test: Save the video in high resolution, upload it to your phone, and play it with the holographic pyramid. Enjoy the unique and customizable result.

This technique adds a professional and creative touch, allowing you to experiment with all kinds of animations, special effects, and impressive presentations.

Find and use holographic videos on YouTube and other platforms

If you prefer quick fixes or are looking for inspiration, you can find countless videos ready for use with holographic pyramids on platforms like YouTube, from abstract animations to figures of famous people, animals, spaceships, and much more.

Simply go to YouTube and search for terms like hologram pyramid video, 3D hologram video o hologram animation for smartphone. Choose videos with cross-shaped images and a black background.

Example of explanatory and demonstrative video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF5zDHDd-fM

• Place your homemade pyramid or prism in the center of the screen and play the video.
• The darker the environment, the more realistic the effect achieved.

Hologram mobile apps for Android and iOS

The arrival of augmented reality and advances in mobile editing have made it possible for numerous applications to create, view, or edit holograms on your device intuitively and easily. With these apps, you can convert photos and videos into 3D projections, customize them, save them, and share them.

The best apps for creating and viewing holograms with your mobile phone

• Holo: This popular app is available for Android and iOS. It allows you to add realistic 3D holograms (people, animals, objects) in real-life environments using augmented reality. Its free version is very comprehensive, although it also offers premium paid options with more features.
• Holapex Hologram Video Maker: One of the most downloaded and reliable apps for creating holographic videos. Its great advantage is its simple process and intuitive interface: select your videos or images, and the app adapts them to the pyramid format so you can immediately project them on your device using a home hologram viewer. Available for Android and iOS with a free option and a premium version.
• Hologram Keyboard JokeIdeal for those looking to add a futuristic touch to their keyboard, offering themes with holographic visual effects and customizable emojis. It lets you replace your default keyboard with one packed with sci-fi effects.
• Hologram Viewer: An app that makes it easy to view animated images in holographic pyramids and also includes a step-by-step guide for creating your own homemade viewers. You can customize holograms, share results, and enjoy specific templates for special occasions (birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, graduations, weddings, and more).
• Vyomy 3D Hologram Projector: It stands out for its ability to adapt holographic content to the dimensions and resolution of your phone, offering animations in varied and spectacular colors. However, its video catalog isn't as extensive as other apps. It's exclusive to Android.
• Hologram Pyramid Videos: A simple app for displaying basic logos and symbols in holographic projection, from the Twitter icon to the yin-yang. Available on both platforms.
• 3D Hologram Projector: Very popular for viewing predefined content without an internet connection. Perfect for those who only want to project images included in the app.
• Hologram Player: This app transforms local videos into holographic displays, allowing you to modify the playback speed and combine different effects in a limited way.
• 3D hologram: It offers basic modeling and simple object animations, ideal for quick experimentation, although it is somewhat limited by advertising and the variety of options.

Many of these apps allow you to save your creations, share them with other users, or even print templates to build physical displays tailored to the dimensions of your smartphone.

Differences between hologram apps and augmented reality simulators

It is important distinguish between hologram applications and AR simulators (augmented reality): Holograms project images off-screen using physical viewers, while AR simulators insert virtual content only visible on the screen using the device's camera. If you're looking to create truly tangible holographic effects, be sure to choose apps specifically designed for projection onto transparent pyramids or prisms.

Advanced tips and tricks to enhance your holographic experience

To achieve spectacular results, put these additional recommendations into practice:

• Make sure the display is perfectly centered on the screen and the seams are clear and clean.
• Try different materials: the plexiglass It provides greater durability and clarity; acetate is cheaper but less resistant.
• Experiment with tilt angles between 40º and 50º to achieve variations in the visual effect and depth of the projection.
• Use HD quality videos for more vibrant and realistic images.
• If you want to record your own holographic videos, try different side light sources to avoid shadows and highlight the contours of the recorded object.
• For children and educational activities, you can make larger visors and reinforce them with cardstock or cardboard, ensuring safety and ease of assembly.
• You can purchase commercial visors online, although the satisfaction of creating and customizing one yourself is unmatched.

Mastering mobile hologram creation is a fun, educational, and creative experience that fuses science, technology, and imagination. Using simple materials and the best apps, you can take entertainment to a new level, surprising everyone with optical illusions and personalized 3D content. Whether using the classic holographic pyramid method, editing your own videos, or exploring the most innovative apps, the world of holography is at your fingertips. Dare to try, share your creations, and continue experimenting with new ideas and effects to keep the technological wonder alive today and forever.