A method to create a seamlessly immersive experience by having stereo components placed in 3D space, keeping realism and engagement as high as possible, to simulate virtual reality applications in a head mounted display. The method involves a placement of stereo user interface elements in 3D space for use in a virtual reality applications using a proprietary layered panoramas method. The invention utilizes a placement into 3D space, flat 2D stereoscopic user interface elements so that they fit in an immersive experience and appear to match in a z depth plane for the experience.