Motion Aftereffect Generator
Adapt to moving stripes, then see a static scene drift the opposite way—the classic waterfall illusion in your browser.
Press Start, keep your eyes on the red cross while stripes move. When the timer ends (or click Skip), a neutral static field appears—it should seem to drift against the direction you just watched. Everything runs locally; download a PNG snapshot anytime.
Status:
Press Start to begin adaptation
Timer: 15s
5
28px
15s
Prolonged exposure to motion temporarily shifts the balance of direction-selective neurons in visual cortex—a negative aftereffect. That is why still textures appear to slide upward after watching downward stripes (the waterfall illusion). Stronger speed, finer stripes, and longer adaptation usually boost the effect; blink or look away to reset.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the motion aftereffect?
- After staring at motion in one direction, a stationary scene appears to move the opposite way for seconds. It is a short-lived adaptation of your visual system, not actual movement in the image.
- How long should I watch the stripes?
- Try 10–20 seconds while fixating the center cross. Increase duration or speed if the aftereffect feels weak. Skip early once you understand the flow.
- Why use a fixation cross?
- Keeping your gaze steady maximizes adaptation across the field. Moving your eyes around still works, but the drifting aftereffect is often clearer with steady fixation.
- Is this a medical or diagnostic test?
- No—it is an educational demo. Individual strength varies with fatigue, display refresh, and attention. Pair it with our Optical Illusion Generator or Eye Test Chart for broader vision demos.