The present invention provides a single method and apparatus for producing many
of the most common types of hologram from digital data is disclosed. The data are
generated entirely by a computer as a 3-D (animated) model or from multiple 2-D
camera images taken of a real 3-D (moving) object or scene from a plurality of
different camera positions. The data are digitally processed and displayed on a
small high resolution spatial light modulator (SLM). A compact low energy pulsed
laser, is used to record composite holograms. The present invention permits the
creation ofrestricted or full parallax master transmission or reflection type composite
holograms, known as H1 holograms, that can be copied using traditional methods.
Alternatively the same invention and apparatus permits the direct writing of hologram
without the need to pass through the intermediate stage of the H1 transmission hologram.