The most common way of creating 3D content is to use a professional 3D recorder or camera to capture videos in 3D or edit conventional 2D videos and add an illusion of depth to them. Another way is using two cameras (mounted side by side, parallel to each other) to capture the scene at the same time, and then compiling the footage into a 3D film through a software program.
However, both methods require expensive equipment and setup. The simplest way would be to transform 2D videos into 3D ones using a suitable video editor. Luckily, we have plenty of tools available in the market that support 2D-to-3D conversion.
Most of these tools achieve a 3D output by adding a binocular disparity depth cue to digital images, enhancing the immersive effect while viewing the stereo video.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best tools to convert 2D videos into 3D ones. It includes both free and premium tools. We’ve also explained their features and pricing models in detail, so you know which is the most suitable option based on your requirements.
Table of Contents
13. 3DCombine Stereoscopic Software
Platform: Windows | Mac | Google Chrome
Price: $45 for a single-user license
With 3DCombine, you can edit and convert 3D images and videos. It supports dozens of viewing methods and file formats and allows batch conversion between them.
Everything is designed to be at your fingertips. The depth map function in the toolbar, for example, allows you to automatically add and enhance your 3D content. The filter editor is suitable for performing more complex operations.
You can apply color filters, crop specific portions of images, adjust their alignment and brightness, and resize them. The tool also supports the creation of 3D panoramas from various 3D VR cameras.
Overall, 3DCombine is not just a traditional converter. You can create things from scratch, import existing projects, and edit 3D content before exporting them in the desired file format.
Pros
- Batch conversion
- Several viewing methods, such as Anaglyph and Free Viewing
- Supports various 3D cameras and VR devices
Cons
- Expensive for what it offers
- Hasn’t been updated for a long time
12. 3D Converter By 4Videosoft
Platform: Windows | Mac
Price: $34 for one year | $51 for lifetime free updates
4Videosoft allows you to convert 2D videos into 3D and 3D videos into 2D in different file formats. It is compatible with almost all popular 2D video formats andsupports five 3D output modes: Anaglyph, Top and Bottom (full height), Top and Bottom (half-height), Side by Side (full width), and Side-by-Side (half-width).
Unlike most other tools, it gives you an option to map subtitles and audio tracks from the original video file. You can also choose resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate, audio and video bitrate, zoom mode, and encoder before converting videos.
The intuitive graphic user interface makes the conversion process pretty simple. Just import the content, adjust a few parameters, and hit the ‘convert’ button. That’s it. The NVIDIA CUDA toolkit and AMD Accelerated Parallel Processing (APP) technology can speed up the conversion process up to six times.
If you are planning to purchase the tool, it is 100% clean and bug-free. They also offer 30-day money-back guarantee to all users.
Pros
- Supports 4K UHD Video
- Convert between 3D file formats
- Multiple profile settings
Cons
- Could be slow on newer Mac chips
11. ImTOO Video Converter
Platform: Windows | Mac
Price: Standard version costs 39 | Ultimate version costs $42 | Free trial is available
ImTOO makes it easy to edit and convert audio, video, and animated photos. You can either use 2D images/clips or start everything from scratch to create a 3D video. There are plenty of options to crop, merge, split, and edit your files.
Add subtitle files and audio tracks to enrich your creation. Adjust the contrast, brightness, and saturation, and add special effects such as Line Drawing, Gray, Old Film, and more.You can also transform existing videos from HD to SD, extract images and audio pictures from videos, and convert one file into another format.
The tool utilizes NVIDIA CUDA GPU acceleration and AMD’s ATI-Stream technology to speed up the video conversion process. If your file is very lengthy, you can preset a post-conversion action such as exit application or hibernate/shut down the machine.
Pros
- Preview and compare original and customized video
- Extract photos in batches from videos
- Putunique transitions in between merged files
- Convert multiple files simultaneously
Cons
- Interface looks outdated
- Core features have not been updated for a very long time
10. Tipard
Platform: Windows | Mac
Price: $30 for one year license | $50 for lifetime free updates | Free trial is available
Tipard can convert almost any 2D video, including HD movies, into a 3D video. It is designed to convert files into various 3D formats such as Red/cyan Anaglyph, Top and Bottom (Full or Half-height), and Side by Side (Full or Half-width).
Tipard can also convert 3D files into different formats. This means if you have bought or downloaded a 3D movie that isn’t compatible with your 3D player or 3D glasses, you can convert it into the desired format. To make sure you have selected the correct format, the tool allows you to watch the video in the preview window.
This is quite a useful function that can save you a lot of time. Plus, you can add effects, adjust video length and audio tracks, and put multiple subtitles in a single video.
All in all, the intuitive GUI, simple operation, and comprehensive editing features will surely give you a wonderful user experience.
Pros
- Preview before conversion
- Numerous effects and editing features
- Works well with low-end computers
- 90-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Outdated interface
- You may find minor bugs
9. Vidmore Video Converter
Platform: Windows | Mac
Price: $50 for a lifetime license
Rating: 8.1/10 from 450+ users
Vidmore is a lightweight tool for editing and managing videos. It can convert videos of all sizes into the desired format, with added options for modifying your video library into a whole new class of multimedia.
More specifically, it can convert your video into over 200 different formats. With the 3D setting enabled, you can set the anaglyph and depth and adjust various filters within a few clicks. Use video splitter, merger, and enhancer to make your project more compelling.And the major plus point is you don’t need to have a technical background to do this.
Vidmore Video Converter leverages the advanced hardware acceleration of AMD APP, NVIDIA CUDA, and Intel QSV to convert videos to ultrahigh quality at 50 times faster speed. It efficiently utilizes the multicore processor to accelerate every single file conversion.
While the free version has very limited features, the company does offer a 1-month plan for $20. If you are satisfied with the results, you can renew it for a lifetime for $50. You can then install this renewed version on three devices.
Pros
- Easy-to-use interface
- Preview your actions in real-time
- Faster video conversion speed
- Optimized for multicore processors
- Supports 4K videos
- Lossless transcoding
Cons
- Free version allows you to convert only 5 minutes of every video
8. DVDFab 2D to 3D Converter
Platform: Windows | Mac
Price: Standard version costs $65 | Pro version costs $85 (Both have free lifetime updates)
Rating: 8/10 from 250+ users
DVDFab is a fully functional video converter that allows you to convert 2D DVD, Blu-ray, and other clips into a 3D video with various popular formats for playback on computers, smartphones, and 3D display devices.
It gives you an option to set the 3D format as Top/Bottom or Left/Right, select the video frame size 50% or 100%, and choose to have two separate files (one for the right eye, one for the left eye).
DVDFab comes with 20+ audio and video editing tools and can each be used separately. It also has some unique filters and transitions and special features like green screen cut-out, speech-to-text conversion, and multifunctional video editing tracks.
If you are a pro user, you can buy two tools together:Video Converter Pro + Video Enhancer AI. Although it would cost you $98, it is enough to meet almost all your video editing requirements.
Pros
- Supports more than 1,000 video formats
- Includes hundreds of filters, overlays, and transitions
- Capture screenshots or make GIFs from videos
- Extract audio and subtitles from videos
- Enhance and speed up video clips
- Supports up to 8K video resolution
Cons
- Standard version doesn’t give you access to royalty-free audio
7. EaseFab Video Converter Ultimate
Platform: Windows | Mac
Price: $38 for one year license | $56 for a lifetime license
Rating: 7.9/10 from 100+ users
EaeFab video converter is a comprehensive media toolbox that processes audio, video, DVD, and Blu-ray files — all in one place. It allows you to convert between common and unusual audio and video files. It even supports 8K videos shot on a camcorder, smartphone, GoPro, and DSLR.
You don’t need to have any technical expertise to operate this software. Just upload the original file, configure a few parameters, and hit the convert button. EaeFab will automatically create a 3D video file with a good quality-size balance.
Since the software is equipped with advanced GPU acceleration technologies (offered by NVIDIA CUDA and AMD), it can significantly accelerate the video encoding and decoding process while maintaining lossless or high quality. On lower-end machines, however, the converter may limit video resolution and bit rate.
It also features an advanced compression kernel and coding-efficient codecs, which makes it possible to decrease the size of video files by up to 90 percent with a minimal pixel-level quality difference.
Pros
- New presets are added regularly
- 30 times faster conversion
- 500+ optimized device profiles
- Convert any video to VR format
Cons
- Outdated interface
- Slow technical support
6. AVCWare
Platform: Windows | Mac
Price: Free | $35 for a full-featured version
Rating: 7.6/10 from 100+ users
AVCWare is perfect for those who have an old computer or a low-end machine. It converts almost all formats of videos into a 3D video. If you have a 3D clip, you can convert it to other formats as well. Anaglyph 3D video, for example, can be converted into Side by Side (full width or half width) or Top and Bottom (full height or half-height)
Although it’s old software, the layout is clean and user-friendly. You can start by adding an original file and then tweak parameters such as frame size and bit rate. You can also merge several clips and add special effects and watermarks to personalize your video. When you are done, preview your work and hit the ‘convert’ button.
AVCWare is capable of converting multiple files simultaneously. If you’ve got too many files, you can preset the software to auto shut down or hibernate your computer after the task is completed.
Pros
- Perfect for old computers
- Rich settings
- Multiple language interface
- Clip video parts to the precision of 0.001 second
- Preview videos before hitting the convert button
Cons
- Sometimes, the software crashes in the middle of the conversion
5. Xilisoft
Platform: Windows | Mac
Price: $42 for a lifetime license
Rating: 8.2/10 from 150+ users
With Xilisoft, you can convert audio and videos between 160+ formats. It includes optimized profiles classified by device types, so you can quickly find the most appropriate conversion method for your device. Plus, it can easily convert HD video formats such as MPEF-4 and H.264 videos.
The interface is designed for novice users. Bigger and attractive icons are added right into the dashboard so anyone can convert and edit videos within minutes. For example, it doesn’t take more than five clicks to set the start/end point and adjust the size and quality of the output.
The software also allows you to split and merge files, add subtitles, soundtracks, and watermarks, and apply special effects to videos. And since it utilizes AMD APP and NVIDIA CUDA technology, it can convert your HD videos five times faster than traditional converters.
Pros
- Optimized and classified conversion profiles
- Add soundtracks and subtitles
- Join multiple files and add special effects
- Directly transfer converted files to iPhones, iPad, and iPod
Cons
- No new feature has been added in recent years
- In the free version, conversions are limited to 3 minutes
4. Aiseesoft
Platform: Windows | Mac
Price: $24 for one month | $55 for a lifetime license
Rating: 8.6/10 from 1000+ users
Aiseesoft offers a powerful, user-friendly tool that not only helps you convert videos in different formats, but also edit video effects, compress clips, and make GIFs. It comes with numerous editing filters, such as whirlpool, pixelate, gray, warm, and Sketch filters. Apply any of those filters with just one click and adjust basic effects like brightness, saturation, contrast, and hue.
The platform adopts video encoding technology (based on your graphic card), delivering the best possible video quality. Plus, there is a built-in video enhancer tool that tries to improve the output quality and make it even better than the original video. It supports up to 8K converting.
There is a unique feature called Reverse video. As the name suggests, it allows you to pick any segment of your video and turn it backward. You can use it to add funny playback effects and create interesting meme clips.
And since the platform leverages the Blu-Hyper technology and video encoding/decoding technology based on processor level, you can convert multiple videos simultaneously with one click.
Pros
- Blu-Hyper CPU video encoding technology makes conversion up to 30 times faster
- Upscale low-quality clips to higher resolutions
- Remove background noise and watermark from videos perfectly
- Change the original speed of the video or add reverse effects
Cons
- Poor customer service
3. Video Converter Ultimate By VideoSolo
Platform: Windows | Mac
Price: $35 for one-year license | $50 for a lifetime license | Free trial is available
Rating: 9.4/10 from 1,300+ users
VideoSolo provides an all-in-one tool to help you convert, edit, merge, and compress videos in one place. It makes it easy to convert 3D videos from 2D and vice versa. Customize the anaglyph, depth, format, and quality of the output file. If you need, you can split the screen top and bottom or side by side.
The software can convert your files into 1000+ formats with specific output specifications. Unlike most other tools, it offers hundreds of preset options for popular devices, including game consoles, smartphones, and online platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
It has a function called Ultrafast Conversion, which utilizes the Blu-Hyper technology to quickly convert videos without over encoding/decoding. This feature could be extremely helpful if you are converting a lot of HD, 4K, or 8K videos.
VideoSolo also gives you an option to compress large video files. You can set the resolution and size of the output and preview the visual quality before actually compressing the whole video.
There is a video enhancer tool to upscale resolution, remove background noise, reduce video shaking, and optimize brightness and contrast. Overall, it’s a great platform with hundreds of filters and preset parameters to embellish your videos.
Pros
- Numerous profile presets for devices and platforms
- Compress large files up to 90%
- Create GIFs from video clips
- Automatically synchronizes sound and picture in the video
- ID3 tag editor
Cons
- Slow customer service
2. UniConverter
Discover the features of Wondershare Uniconverter 2024 and how it stands out in the market.https://t.co/gVhApypOQO pic.twitter.com/39yTYlfqrO
— File Arena Pro (@FileArenaPro) January 3, 2024
Platform: Windows | Mac
Price: $20 per month | Trial version is available
Rating: 8.7/10 from 500+ users
UniConverter lets you edit and convert videos between 1000+ formats and devices at faster speeds. Any user with zero technical skills can create a perfect 3D video without missing key frames or redrawing issues.
Since the platform supports multi-threaded GPU acceleration technology developed by NVIDIA, Intel, and AMD, you can process multiple large videos simultaneously. It supports all standard video and audio codes, as well as advanced encoders like CFHD, HEVC, AVI, and VP9.
UniConverter is not just a traditional converter. It can also compress your videos to smaller sizes with nearly no quality loss. More specifically, you can reduce the video size to 50% with zero quality loss. They also develop new features based on artificial intelligence while continuously improving the existing ones.
Pros
- Supports advanced encoders
- Almost zero quality lost in video compression
- Remove background noise and separate vocals from the music
- Change video background with AI
Cons
- Too many options could confuse novice users
- Useful features are not present in the trial version
1. Fonepaw
Platform: Windows | Mac
Price: $35 for one-year license | $49 for lifetime single-user license
Rating: 8.9/10 from 4,000+ users
Fonepaw is an all-in-one video converter that can efficiently transform audio, video, and DVD files into different formats. It currently supports 14 3D modes, including Red/Cyan Anaglyph, Top and Bottom 3D, and Side-by-Side 3D video formats.
The platform is capable of converting several video files simultaneously. It leverages CUDA-enabled graphics and AMD APP acceleration technology to encode/decode videos and provide up to 6 times faster conversion speed.
Unlike traditional converter tools, Fonepaw allows you to customize the size, resolution, and 3D depth level (from 0 to 50) of the output video. You can compress the video and preview its effect before converting the original file. To get the best balance of quality and size, it is recommended to convert files with the default settings.
Pros
- Noise Removal
- Comprehensive 3D settings
- Reduce video shaking
- Create and remove watermarks
Cons
- Sometimes, it gets slow when converting larger video files
More To Know
Which software is best for creating 3D animations?
If you are looking for a career in the animation industry, there are plenty of good software to start with —
- Blender: a free and open-source software that supports the entire 3D pipeline, from modeling and rigging to simulation and rendering.
- Cascadeur: a 3D tool for physical-based character animation.
- ZBrush: a digital sculpting tool that merges 3D modeling, texturing, and painting.
- Autodesk Maya: the most popular software for creating interactive 3D applications, movies, video games, and visual effects.
- Cinema 4D: an easy-to-use tool for creating complex animations in minutes
Check out some demo node tools that Simon developed in preparation for the Blender 4.0 release! ️ Free download at https://t.co/It4Cyz1yy7 #b3d pic.twitter.com/2MGZdnECas
— Blender Studio (@BlenderStudio_) November 16, 2023
Recently Published Techniques for 2D-to-3D video conversion
If you’re a developer looking to build your own software, you should take inspiration from other researchers’ work. We have highlighted some of the most promising algorithms and techniques published online.
- Converting 2D videos into 3D based on boundary information
- Conversion based on grayscale and luminance setting that doesn’t require complex motion analysis
- Computing depth maps from the depth gradients to create a stereoscopic video
- Using deep convolutional neural networks to automatically convert 2D into 3D videos
What should you look for in 3D software?
While thousands of 3D software programs have been developed for specific purposes and they all are unique in their own way, there are some points you must consider before buying or upgrading a 3D tool:
- Check whether it supports all common 2D and 3D file formats.
- It should have an intuitive GUI and a short learning curve.
- Does it provide the latest features to reduce tedious tasks?
- Do they have proper technical support?
And do not rely on the ‘one size fits all’ model; make sure the software you are opting for meets your specific business needs.
Read More
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