Subscribe now

“WHEN you look at a screen you expect to see something flat,” says Chris Yewdall. “But we can change that.” Yewdall, president of Digital Dynamic Depth, a software company based in Santa Monica, California, is totally serious. On the screen in front of us is a trailer for Shrek – the computer-animated fairy-tale film of a bumbling, green ogre. With a click of the mouse, the hero bursts from the screen wielding a sword that seems to flash in and out of the display. With another click, the 3D character shrinks back to his old 2D self. “Hey presto,” Yewdall grins, “we can play the animation in 3D.”…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop