Depth is implied by overlap, scale, parallax, atmospheric fade, and blur-soften on layers

Generative visuals are flat by default. Front-to-back depth is implied through four techniques used on stacked layers: (1) overlap and scale — nearer things are larger and occlude farther ones; (2) parallax — layers move at different speeds, nearer faster; (3) atmospheric fade — distant layers lose contrast and shift toward the ground color (cooler, more desaturated); (4) focus — blur-soften on far or near layers fakes depth-of-field. Layer-compositing is the mechanic that makes this work: add blending creates glow/light, multiply creates shadow/tint, difference gives psychedelic inversion, screen brightens, and mask cuts out. Blend mode and layer order carry as much meaning as the layers themselves.

Examples

Three layers: a slow-moving blurred background, a mid-speed mid-detail layer, and a fast sharp foreground element create perceived depth even without 3D geometry.

Assessment

List four techniques for implying depth on a flat frame and match each to its perceptual cue (occlusion, motion, contrast, or optics).