A method operational on a transmitter device is provided for projecting a composite code mask. A composite code mask on a tangible medium is obtained, where the composite code mask includes a code layer combined with a carrier layer. The code layer may include uniquely identifiable spatially-coded codewords defined by a plurality of symbols. The carrier layer may be independently ascertainable and distinct from the code layer and includes a plurality of reference objects that are robust to distortion upon projection. At least one of the code layer and carrier layer may be pre-shaped by a synthetic point spread function prior to projection. At least a portion of the composite code mask is projected, by the transmitter device, onto a target object to help a receiver ascertain depth information for the target object with a single projection of the composite code mask.