What is Chromadepth?
With 3D being used so much in movies now, its natural for artists and Filmmakers alike to want to experiment with this audience interface. Chromadepth is an alternative to polarized, analglyph, and the LCD shutter glasses used in modern home theaters. Chromadepth works by the programmer or artist using color tones to display to the audience objects in different variances of depth. Usually, black and blue are related to background of the image, while warmer colors and lime green  categorizing sequentially in distance from the viewer, red being closest to the viewer. In my personal experiments I have found that the farther one is away from the screen, within reason, creates more depth. While chromadepth in some ways is limiting with degrees of color that may be used, it is very easy to get a desired effect while adhering to a very simple rule-set. The limitations often yield some inventive solutions and creative discoveries.

What materials can I use to make chromadepth creations?
Chromadepth images can be made with just about any materials that can support solid colors: crayons, inks, markers, print materials, chalk, digital images, video, construction paper, colored paper, fabric and paints are just a few. Once you own a pair or two of Chromadepth glasses you may notice things look a little strange around the house and are unintentionally working in 3D and this is just flat out fun - Things like looking at DVD  cases, flipping though comics and magazines will give you an idea of how different materials, pictures and designs can be used.

One of the most amazing unintentional chromadepth uses is to use the glasses with "Morphyre" . "Morphyre" is free music visualization software  that works with your media player. This program is awesome in itself and the upgrade includes more control and customization. I can say that as far as a visualization program is concerned the upgrade is well worth the 4$ and I think it is easily worth twice that.

Where do I get Chromadepth?
American Paper Optics, offers a lot of packages involving different glasses. If you are truly interested the development kit, while simple, may work for you and most purposes. The glasses and packages are available through the chromatek.com website,

A short animated movie produced in Chromadepth: "Dancing Jellyfish" by TJPARSONS.
I figured I would provide a small movie to show how Chromadepth can be used despite the limitations. Within the bounds of its simple rules many things are possible. I found it to be a fun experience, and the movie wasn't muddied up with a blurred stereoscopic images for those that may not have the glasses on hand. Chromadepth has many practical applications from written promotions to Television commercials- much like some 3D trailers for movies during past sporting events where glasses were given away and audiences eagerly anticipated the premiere of the commercials. In the case for your business, it could possibly be a way to make you stand out above the rest. I do have some experience in this area, If you need some creative consultation, but until then enjoy the short video, and get yourselves some chromadepth glasses from American Paper Optics it's blast.

*For best viewing experience select full screen for the video and sit or stand at least 3 feet from the screen. Enjoy.

In past experiments.

At one time I was taking computer science at USC and decided that my project would be using chromadepth to code a website (by hand). The Chromadepth was used less as an aesthetic, and more of a function of the site. It was an experiment to take information that was grouped, and depending on what the user would pick would be given a depth in the user's field of vision - an information hierarchy. For instance a rollover would cause the text to be emphasized by moving closer to the user while a selection, or secondary selection may move closer yet to the user.  At the time my professors told me I was the first person ever that they have heard of to organize and and use 3D technology in this way- ever. It just seemed logical at the time, and can be seen such as in the hit movie "Minority Report" . My idea that 3D was something that should be experimented with to find a "practical" use for, not just for general viewer enhancement. It could provide a function. Much like bullet points on a document provide emphasis as does italics, I was exploring all ideals like this in the context of a third dimension.

Tom Parsons

The founder of Uddershiet Films and film enthusiast, maintains a fun collection of movies that he regularly references for technical examples, discussions with colleagues, friends, students, and production staff. Although there are particular films, shorts, and videos that he prefers over others, seldom is there a movie that he doesn't like.