Thứ Ba, Tháng Hai 11, 2025
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HomeStudyHow to create classic 3D movie effects in Photoshop

How to create classic 3D movie effects in Photoshop

Let's recreate the look of classic 3D movies from the 1950s with this quick and easy Photoshop effect! The following step-by-step instructions are for Photoshop 2023 or earlier.

Of course, because Photoshop works with flat 2D images, we're limited in what we can do. But at least it's possible to create something that looks like it's from an old 3D movie. And as we'll see, this effect is so easy to create that you can do it from start to finish in just 60 seconds or less.

Step 1: Create a copy of the Background layer

In the Layers panel, the image will appear on the Background layer:

Layers panel in Photoshop
Layers panel in Photoshop

Make a copy of the Background layer by dragging it down to the icon New Layer.

Create a copy of the Background layer
Create a copy of the Background layer

Photoshop adds the copy on top of the original.

Layer "Background copy" appear.
The “Background copy” layer appears.

Double-click the copy's name to highlight it.

Double-click the name of the Background copy layer
Double-click the name of the Background copy layer

Then rename it to “3D”. Press Enter on a Windows PC or Return on your Mac to accept.

Rename the layer to 3D in the Layers panel
Rename the layer to 3D in the Layers panel

Step 2: Open Photoshop's Blending Options

Still in the Layers panel, open Photoshop's Blending Options, by double-clicking the empty gray area of ​​the “3D” layer or clicking the fx icon at the bottom of the panel Layers:

Click the fx icon in Photoshop's Layers panel
Click the fx icon in Photoshop's Layers panel

And select Blending Options from the top of the list.

Open Blending Options in Photoshop
Open Blending Options in Photoshop

The Layer Style dialog box opens with Blending Options in the middle column.

Photoshop's Blending Options in the Layer Style dialog box
Photoshop's Blending Options in the Layer Style dialog box

Step 3: Turn off the Green and Blue color channels

In section Advanced Blendinglook for the R, G, and B checkboxes next to the word Channels.

R, G, and B channel check boxes.
R, G, and B channel check boxes.

R, G, and B represent the Red, Green, and Blue color channels that Photoshop mixes together to create all the colors in the image.

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Turn off the Green and Blue channels by unchecking the G and B boxes, leaving only the Red channel (R checkbox) enabled.

Turn off the Green and Blue color channels
Turn off the Green and Blue color channels

Then click OK to close the Layer Style dialog box.

Close the Layer Style dialog box
Close the Layer Style dialog box

Nothing will happen to the image. But if you turn off the Background layer by clicking on that layer's visibility icon:

Turn off the Background layer
Turn off the Background layer

You'll see that the image on the “3D” layer is now only showing in red.

The image only uses the Red color channel
The image only uses the Red color channel

Turn the Background layer back on to return to the full color image.

Back to full color version.
Back to full color version.

Step 4: Select Move Tool

To create the red and cyan 3D effect, all we need to do now is offset the two versions of the image.

In the Layers panel, make sure layer “3D” is active.

Select the 3D layer in the Layers panel
Select the 3D layer in the Layers panel

Then in the toolbar, select Move Tool. We won't be using the Move Tool, we just need it to work.

Select Move Tool in Photoshop's toolbar
Select Move Tool in Photoshop's toolbar

Step 5: Gently push the image to the left

Use the left arrow key on your keyboard to gently push the image on the “3D” layer to the left. Hold Shift while pressing the arrow keys to move the image in 10 pixel increments.

As the image moves, a red border appears along one side of each object. And since red's opposite color is cyan, a cyan border will appear along the opposite side.

The more the two images are offset, the thicker and clearer the red and cyan outlines will be. So keep pushing the image gently until you're satisfied with the result.

Compensate the image on the layer "3D" will create a red and cyan 3D effect.
Compensating the image on the “3D” layer will create a red and cyan 3D effect.

Try other color combinations

Along with the classic red and cyan 3D colors, you can also choose other color combinations to create different effects.

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In the Layers panel, open Blending Options again by double-clicking on the empty gray area of ​​the “3D” layer.

Double-click the layer to reopen Blending Options
Double-click the layer to reopen Blending Options

Green and magenta

Then, in the Layer Style dialog box, uncheck the box R to turn off the Red channel and check the box G to enable only the Green channel.

Turn off the Red channel and turn on the Green channel
Turn off the Red channel and turn on the Green channel

This gives you a green and magenta effect (because magenta is the opposite color of green).

A green and magenta variation of the 3D effect
A green and magenta variation of the 3D effect

Blue and Yellow

Or turn off the Green channel and turn on only the Blue channel:

Turn off the Green channel and turn on the Blue channel
Turn off the Green channel and turn on the Blue channel

For the blue and yellow effect (yellow is the opposite color of blue). To go back to classic red and cyan, simply uncheck both the Green and Blue channels, then turn the Red channel back on. Then click OK to close the Layer Style dialog box.

Blue and yellow variations of the 3D effect
Blue and yellow variations of the 3D effect

And that's it! It's easy to recreate the look of classic 3D movies in Photoshop.

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