Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging three dimensional objects is described which has a source of illumination that is projected through a color grating onto the object to be imaged. A camera captures an image from the object which reflects the pattern imposed by the grating, and a series of mathematical operations are then performed on the data from the captured image to deduce three dimensional information about the object. The grating includes a repetitive pattern of parallel colored bars disposed a predetermined distance from each other, and includes an opaque area intermediate each of the colored bars to enhance the accuracy of the image by reducing cross-talk between the color bars of the captured image. One exposure of the object can provide information sufficient to calculate the 3-D profile of the object, making the system especially useful for imaging moving or living objects.