ChromaDepth
Encyclopedia
Chromadepth is a patent
ed system from the company Chromatek (a subsidiary of American Paper Optics since 2002) that produces a stereoscopic effect based upon differences in the diffraction
of color through a special prism
-like holographic film fitted into glasses
. Chromadepth glasses purposely exacerbate chromatic aberration
and give the illusion of colors taking up different positions in space, with red being in front, and blue being in back. This works particularly well with the sky, sea or grass as a background, and redder objects in the foreground.
Any media piece can be given a 3D
effect as long as the color spectrum is put into use with the foreground being in red, and the background in blue. From front to back the scheme follows the visible light spectrum
, from red to orange, yellow, green and blue. As a result, ChromaDepth works best with artificially produced or enhanced pictures, since the color indicates the depth. Unlike anaglyph image
s or polarization, creating real-life ChromaDepth pictures without manual enhancement is practically impossible, since cameras cannot portray true depth; most other 3D schemes use the concept of stereopsis
, which only simulates depth. However, this also gives ChromaDepth images a distinct advantage: unlike stereopsis-based schemes that require two images, ChromaDepth contains depth information in one image, which eliminates the ghosting
seen in other schemes when one attempts to view them without 3D glasses. Thus, ChromaDepth images can be viewed comfortably and legibly without glasses, even though the 3D effect will not be perceivable without them.
The ChromaDepth system helped bring the haunted attraction industry to new heights when popular attractions such as Netherworld Haunted House
in Atlanta, GA began using the technology in the late 1990's and early 2000's. The system was used variously for comic-books, educational books for children, light show displays at such planetariums as the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, amusement park "black light
" attractions, and other printed and projected applications. This method was also used for I Love the '80s 3-D
and glasses could be bought at Best Buy
. Chromadepth has recently been put into use in Crayola's
3D Chalk. This technique was also used by the production company Quirky Motion for the music video promoting New Cassettes
2007 single "recover/retreat" as part of the BBC Electric Proms
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
ed system from the company Chromatek (a subsidiary of American Paper Optics since 2002) that produces a stereoscopic effect based upon differences in the diffraction
Diffraction
Diffraction refers to various phenomena which occur when a wave encounters an obstacle. Italian scientist Francesco Maria Grimaldi coined the word "diffraction" and was the first to record accurate observations of the phenomenon in 1665...
of color through a special prism
Prism (optics)
In optics, a prism is a transparent optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light. The exact angles between the surfaces depend on the application. The traditional geometrical shape is that of a triangular prism with a triangular base and rectangular sides, and in colloquial use...
-like holographic film fitted into glasses
Glasses
Glasses, also known as eyeglasses , spectacles or simply specs , are frames bearing lenses worn in front of the eyes. They are normally used for vision correction or eye protection. Safety glasses are a kind of eye protection against flying debris or against visible and near visible light or...
. Chromadepth glasses purposely exacerbate chromatic aberration
Chromatic aberration
In optics, chromatic aberration is a type of distortion in which there is a failure of a lens to focus all colors to the same convergence point. It occurs because lenses have a different refractive index for different wavelengths of light...
and give the illusion of colors taking up different positions in space, with red being in front, and blue being in back. This works particularly well with the sky, sea or grass as a background, and redder objects in the foreground.
Any media piece can be given a 3D
Three-dimensional space
Three-dimensional space is a geometric 3-parameters model of the physical universe in which we live. These three dimensions are commonly called length, width, and depth , although any three directions can be chosen, provided that they do not lie in the same plane.In physics and mathematics, a...
effect as long as the color spectrum is put into use with the foreground being in red, and the background in blue. From front to back the scheme follows the visible light spectrum
Electromagnetic spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. The "electromagnetic spectrum" of an object is the characteristic distribution of electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by that particular object....
, from red to orange, yellow, green and blue. As a result, ChromaDepth works best with artificially produced or enhanced pictures, since the color indicates the depth. Unlike anaglyph image
Anaglyph image
Anaglyph images are used to provide a stereoscopic 3D effect, when viewed with glasses where the two lenses are different colors, such as red and cyan. Images are made up of two color layers, superimposed, but offset with respect to each other to produce a depth effect...
s or polarization, creating real-life ChromaDepth pictures without manual enhancement is practically impossible, since cameras cannot portray true depth; most other 3D schemes use the concept of stereopsis
Stereopsis
Stereopsis refers to impression of depth that is perceived when a scene is viewed with both eyes by someone with normal binocular vision. Binocular viewing of a scene creates two slightly different images of the scene in the two eyes due the the eyes' different positions on the head...
, which only simulates depth. However, this also gives ChromaDepth images a distinct advantage: unlike stereopsis-based schemes that require two images, ChromaDepth contains depth information in one image, which eliminates the ghosting
Ghosting (television)
In television, a ghost is a replica of the transmitted image, offset in position, that is super-imposed on top of the main image on an analogue broadcast.-Common causes:Common causes of ghosts are:...
seen in other schemes when one attempts to view them without 3D glasses. Thus, ChromaDepth images can be viewed comfortably and legibly without glasses, even though the 3D effect will not be perceivable without them.
The ChromaDepth system helped bring the haunted attraction industry to new heights when popular attractions such as Netherworld Haunted House
Netherworld Haunted House
Netherworld Haunted House is a haunted attraction located in Atlanta, Georgia that began in 1997.Unlike many haunted events at that time Netherworld developed an original theme that was not based on popular movies such as Slasher Films , but rather a unique storyline...
in Atlanta, GA began using the technology in the late 1990's and early 2000's. The system was used variously for comic-books, educational books for children, light show displays at such planetariums as the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, amusement park "black light
Black light
A black light, also referred to as a UV light, ultraviolet light, or Wood's lamp, is a lamp that emits ultraviolet radiation in the long-wave range, and little visible light...
" attractions, and other printed and projected applications. This method was also used for I Love the '80s 3-D
I Love the '80s 3-D
I Love the '80s 3-D is the follow-up to VH1's 1980s nostalgia show I Love the '80s and its sequel I Love the '80s Strikes Back. It premiered October 24, 2005...
and glasses could be bought at Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
. Chromadepth has recently been put into use in Crayola's
Crayola
Crayola is a brand of artists' supplies manufactured by Crayola LLC, which was founded in 1885 as Binney & Smith. It is best known for its crayons...
3D Chalk. This technique was also used by the production company Quirky Motion for the music video promoting New Cassettes
New Cassettes
New Cassettes are a five piece indie rock band from Northampton, England, formed in 2005.-History:New Cassettes is a five-piece band from Northampton, England who have been leaving audiences wanting more since 2005...
2007 single "recover/retreat" as part of the BBC Electric Proms
BBC Electric Proms
The BBC Radio 2 Electric Proms was an October music festival in London run by the BBC for five years, 2006-2010...