How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop

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, since Photoshop works with flat 2D images, we’re limited in what we can do. But at least we can create something that looks like it came straight out of an old 3D movie. And as we’ll see, the effect is so easy to create that you can do it from start to finish in 60 seconds or less.

Step 1: Make a copy of the Background layer

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

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Layers Panel in Photoshop

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

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Make a copy of the Background layer

Photoshop adds a copy on top of the original.

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
The "Background copy" layer appears.

Double-click the name of the copy to highlight it.

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Double click on the name of the Background copy layer

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

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
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, either by double-clicking the empty gray area of ​​the "3D" layer or clicking the fx icon at the bottom of the Layers panel :

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Click the fx icon in Photoshop's Layers panel

And select Blending Options from the top of the list.

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Open Blending Options in Photoshop

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

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Photoshop's Blending Options in the Layer Style dialog box

Step 3: Turn off the Green and Blue color channels

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

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
The 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.

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

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Turn off Green and Blue color channels

Then click OK to close the Layer Style dialog box.

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Close the Layer Style dialog box

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

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Turn off Background layer

You will see that the image on the "3D" layer is now only showing red.

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Image uses only Red color channel

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

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
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 the "3D" layer is active.

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Select the 3D layer in the Layers panel

Then, in the toolbar, select the Move Tool . We won't be using the Move Tool, just make sure it works.

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Select the Move Tool in the Photoshop toolbar.

Step 5: Gently push the image to the left

Use the left arrow key on your keyboard to nudge the image on the "3D" layer slightly to the left. Hold Shift while pressing the arrow keys to nudge the image in 10 pixel increments.

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

The more you offset the two images, the thicker and more pronounced the red and cyan borders will become, so keep pushing the image slightly until you're happy with the result.

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
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.

In the Layers panel, reopen Blending Options by double-clicking on the empty gray area of ​​the "3D" layer.

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Double click the layer to reopen Blending Options

Green and magenta

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

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Turn off the Red channel and turn on the Green channel

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

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
A green and magenta variation of the 3D effect

Blue and Yellow

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

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Turn off the Green channel and turn on the Blue channel

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

How to Create a Vintage 3D Movie Effect in Photoshop
Blue and yellow variation of the 3D effect

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

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

How to Turn a Photo into a Pencil Sketch in Photoshop

How to Turn a Photo into a Pencil Sketch in Photoshop

This tutorial will show you how to easily turn a photo into a pencil sketch using Adobe Photoshop.

How to Resize Images Properly in Photoshop

How to Resize Images Properly in Photoshop

Many people used to find resizing images very annoying until they learned about Photoshop's simple channel-based protection method.

How to create poster effect for photos in Photoshop

How to create poster effect for photos in Photoshop

Add a quick and easy poster effect to your images using Photoshop to recreate the classic look of posters printed with limited ink colors.

6 AI Photo Editing Tools Better Than Photoshop

6 AI Photo Editing Tools Better Than Photoshop

There are many AI photo editors that make Photoshop a second choice and AI features are useful tools for editing photos without having to learn complex Photoshop.

3 Most Favorite Features in Photoshop 2025

3 Most Favorite Features in Photoshop 2025

Photoshop 2025 packs new AI tools, smarter selections, and features you didn't know you needed until now.

How to Create a Monochrome Color Effect in Photoshop

How to Create a Monochrome Color Effect in Photoshop

This tutorial will show you a quick and easy way to add a monochrome color effect to an image using Adobe Photoshop.

How to create a shadow border in Photoshop

How to create a shadow border in Photoshop

This tutorial will show you how to add canvas space and drop shadow to your photo in Photoshop to create a simple yet stylish photo border.

Why is Lens Blur a Photoshop tool used for artistic photo editing?

Why is Lens Blur a Photoshop tool used for artistic photo editing?

Adobe's Lens Blur tool makes it easy to review your photos, adding depth and focus to your photos.

Not AI, Actions is the Photoshop feature that users love

Not AI, Actions is the Photoshop feature that users love

Hidden away in the app, Photoshop Actions is a beloved feature of the popular photo editing tool, meant to speed up workflows without the need for AI.

Why is using both Lightroom and Photoshop overkill for most photographers?

Why is using both Lightroom and Photoshop overkill for most photographers?

Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop are two of the best photo editing tools, but while many professionals use both together, you only need Lightroom if you're an amateur photographer.

How to create Picture in Picture effect in Photoshop

How to create Picture in Picture effect in Photoshop

This tutorial will show you how to create a cool Picture in Picture effect with Adobe Photoshop by taking a single photo and creating the illusion that a smaller, cropped version of the same photo is inside it.

5 Reasons Why Photoshops Generative Workspace Is Adobes Best Feature

5 Reasons Why Photoshops Generative Workspace Is Adobes Best Feature

Generative Workspace is one of the top AI features announced at Adobe Max 2024. It will be the new home for your Generative AI images and files.

How to Create a Water Reflection Effect Using Generative Fill in Photoshop

How to Create a Water Reflection Effect Using Generative Fill in Photoshop

With Generative Fill, powered by Adobe's Generative AI called Firefly, anyone can add realistic water reflection effects to their photos simply by drawing a selection, typing a few words, and clicking a button.

How to Paste an Image into a Selection in Photoshop

How to Paste an Image into a Selection in Photoshop

This tutorial will show you how to copy an image and paste it into a selection in another image using the Paste Into command in Adobe Photoshop.

How to Convert to High Contrast Black and White Photos Instantly in Photoshop

How to Convert to High Contrast Black and White Photos Instantly in Photoshop

This tutorial will show you how to instantly convert a high contrast black and white photo in Photoshop using Gradient Map.

Devil Fruits Now Available in Blox Fruit

Devil Fruits Now Available in Blox Fruit

Every few hours, players can purchase a random Blox Fruit with a chance to get a better fruit. Although without the Devil Fruit Changer, you may miss out.

Dislyte Character Rankings, Dislyte Tier List

Dislyte Character Rankings, Dislyte Tier List

Our Dislyte character rankings will help you sort through the strongest characters from those not worth bringing into battle to those who will be at the top of your team.

Latest Phong Ma Dao Si Code and how to enter code

Latest Phong Ma Dao Si Code and how to enter code

You can also use Phong Ma Dao Si giftcode to exchange for valuable rewards.

What is Duo Mobile? Is it safe to use Duo Mobile?

What is Duo Mobile? Is it safe to use Duo Mobile?

Authenticator apps add another layer of security and are an easy and convenient way to confirm a person's identity. Duo Mobile is one of the most popular apps of this type.

Good morning images, beautiful new day images

Good morning images, beautiful new day images

Good morning images, good morning images with positive messages will help us have more energy and motivation to have a more effective working day.

OPPO Reno 5 Pro 5G Review: Other Competitors Beware

OPPO Reno 5 Pro 5G Review: Other Competitors Beware

Reno 5 Pro 5G is not much different from its predecessor, still keeping the same 6.5-inch AMOLED curved screen.

What is a mixed number?

What is a mixed number?

A mixed number is a combination of a whole number and a fraction. The fractional part of a mixed number is always less than 1.

Tips for traveling like a rich person

Tips for traveling like a rich person

Are you on a budget when it comes to traveling? Don’t worry, here are some tips from a famous travel advisor that will help you travel like a rich person.

7 Best Obsidian Plugins for Mobile

7 Best Obsidian Plugins for Mobile

In addition to tweaking the interface and making Obsidian run more efficiently, they'll give you a richer set of note-taking tools.

How to fix a blurry external display

How to fix a blurry external display

A dim external monitor can disrupt productivity and cause eye strain. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to fix a dim display!

Where do the symbols of male and female come from?

Where do the symbols of male and female come from?

The meaning of popular male and female symbols today may not be known to everyone. Let's learn more about male and female symbols!

The mysterious history of black holes has been decoded by scientists

The mysterious history of black holes has been decoded by scientists

One of the common misconceptions about black holes is that they not only swallow matter, but also the history of that matter. The truth about the history of black holes in the universe has finally been revealed.

No need for multiple Adobe Mobile apps, Adobe Express is the only app you need!

No need for multiple Adobe Mobile apps, Adobe Express is the only app you need!

Adobe offers more than 4 specific photo editing apps on the phone - all of which are so similar, it's hard to decipher which one you really need.

5 gadgets that turn a regular TV into a smart one

5 gadgets that turn a regular TV into a smart one

A regular TV can still learn new tricks with a few gadgets and become better than an expensive smart TV in minutes.

How to use Panasonic air conditioner remote control

How to use Panasonic air conditioner remote control

Using Panasonic air conditioner remote control properly will help us take advantage of the features on the air conditioner.