I’ve complained enough about the limitations of both the 3D Layers and Animation panels in Adobe Photoshop CS4, but now let’s combine both of those features for a moment and have some fun! I’ve created a true stereo 3D scene with 3D layers and the Red/Blue Render option (technically known as Anaglyph).

To start with this project, I took a photograph and created layers out of three main elements (an example I used in an earlier post about animating layers). You can just use any elements you want as layers in your 3D scene, just make sure you have a background, mid-ground and foreground elements. IN this image, I also converted the layers to grayscale since I didn’t want the bright red curtains int he background to interfere with the Red/Blue stereo process, but usually, it will still work just fine in color in most cases.

I then convert each layer to a 3D layer by selecting the layer in the Layers palette and choosing New 3D Postcard from Layer from the 3D menu. After I’ve converted the layers, I need to combine them in one single 3D “scene”. I select the top layer, and choose Merge Down in the Layers palette menu. I then repeat with the newly merged layer – merging down to the bottom (or background) layer. This will now give us one 3D layer with 3 different 3D elements inside.

The 3D layers merged into one “scene” as shown in the Layers palette and the 3D Palette

I then select each mesh item and use the move & scale tools in the 3D palette to position them apart from each other. I want to “push” the background back and scale it up to fill the frame and move the mid-ground element ( the chair in this case) back a bit as well to give some sense of distance from the foreground subject (the bride).

I can select the scene again in the 3D palette and use the Orbit 3D Camera tool to see the distance between the layers. Adjust if they’re too close together or too far apart. It really depends on the contents of your scene. Also – it’s important to return your camera to the default position as that’s what gets animated in our movie!

Using the Orbit 3D Camera tool to check the distance between 3D Mesh objects

I then open the Animation panel and set my first Keyframe at frame 0, for the 3D Camera Position. I then go to my last frame (in this case, 3 seconds on the Timeline) and move/zoom my 3D Camera into a final position, which generates a new Keyframe automatically.

Position and zoom the 3D Camera and set Keyframes along the Timeline in the Animation panel

Now that the animation motion is complete, I can apply the 3D Stereo effects to it. Selecting the scene in the 3D Palette, I then click on the Render Settings button to open the 3D Render Settings dialog box. Here’s where you would normally select what kind of previews or final renders you want for your 3D scenes. At the bottom of the box is the Stereo settings – click the checkbox and make sure to select Red/Blue for your option. (selecting Vertical Interlaced will produce a different kind of stereo output, also known as “Lenticular” which is normally used in print with a special prismatic lens applied to the surface). The other settings, such as Paralax and Focal Plane are for setting the base depth and spacing between the left and right “eyes” or cameras. I left the default settings in this example.

The final image shows the results of the Anaglyph or Red/Blue 3D Stereo image. If you have a pair of cardboard glasses, then take them out and give this a try. (Red=Left Eye, Blue=Right Eye)

Use a pair of Red/Blue glasses to view the final 3D Stereo Anaglyph of this composition

*Please download the H.264 MOV file below to see the 3D Stereo Animation:
Download 3D MOV Here!

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