Abstract: An electronic three-dimensional (3D) surface device for creating tactile physical 3D images featuring hydraulic cylinders disposed in a base; fiber optic rods slidably disposed in each hydraulic cylinder which utilize a hydraulic mechanism to move the fiber optic rod upwardly and downwardly, the fiber optic rod comprises a colored light source; a microprocessor operatively connected to the hydraulic cylinders and colored light sources; and a device independent bitmap (DIB) file format and a computer software system configured to read the DIB file format, the DIB file format represents a tactile physical 3D image; wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive input signals from the computer software system based on the DIB file format, wherein the microprocessor sends output commands to hydraulic cylinders and colored light sources to modify height and color of the respective fiber optic rods based on the DIB file format to create the tactile physical 3D image.