It’s Time to Stop Blaming 2D-to-3D Conversion for Poor 3D Quality
- Andrew Murchie
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
At EYEPOP-3D, we hear it all the time: “Isn’t 2D-to-3D conversion usually bad?”
The short answer? Only when it’s done badly. The longer answer is that modern 2D-to-3D conversion has very little in common with the rushed, low-quality processes that gave the format a bad reputation in the first place.
Conflating early conversion failures with today’s best practices does a real disservice to what high-quality stereoscopic conversion can now achieve.
How Early 2D-to-3D Conversions Shaped a Lasting Misconception
In the early days of digital 3D, many post-conversion projects were produced under extreme time pressure, often as fairly cynical last-minute add-ons to capitalise on theatrical 3D trends, irrespective of the quality limitations that a tight deadline introduces. Depth was frequently applied globally rather than artistically, often resulting in flat cut-out style layers, visual artefacts, and uncomfortable viewing or in some cases barely any 3D separation at all.
Those early examples created a lasting myth: that conversion itself was the problem.
In reality, the issue was never conversion, it was the schedule, process, tooling, and lack of refinement that were to blame.
On top of this, there were a large number of considerably more cynical money-grabbing "conversions", generally from German distributors, where there was no actual depth nor volume of the on-screen content: it was simply the entire flat 2D image pushed back into the screen. This type of thing caught out many 3D enthusiasts and did unconscionable damage to the reputation of 2D to 3D conversions.
What Modern 2D-to-3D Conversion Actually Involves
Today’s professional 2D-to-3D conversion is a fundamentally different discipline. At EYEPOP-3D, we treat conversion as a creative reconstruction of depth, not a filter or automated afterthought.
Modern workflows now include:
AI assisted depth analysis to establish accurate spatial relationships
Shot-by-shot depth grading to control emphasis and immersion
Manual correction of edge detail and warp removal
Stereo alignment designed for comfort, not gimmicks
The result is depth that feels natural, volumetric, cinematic, and intentional, not 2.5D flat layers forced into 3D space.
Why “One-Click AI 3D” Isn’t the Same Thing
AI tools have massively improved conversion speed, but fully automated conversion still falls way short of required professional technical standards. Typical auto-conversions will usually have:
Fluctuating depth in shots where objects will move forward and backward in the scene, often whilst the scenes overall depth changes too.
Background warping, creating halo or liquid like effects when people or objects move across the screen.
Depth errors where objects will be placed incorrectly and inconsistently in 3D space.
Often inappropriately weak or strong depth choices applied across the entire length of a film.
And when it comes to considering more creative aspects of how to apply the stereoscopic depth like storytelling, visual hierarchy, and scene complexity AI misses the point altogether as it generally applies one setting across an entire feature film.
That’s why EYEPOP-3D uses a hybrid approach: AI accelerates depth extraction while artists refine it.
This balance allows us to deliver:
Consistent depth across edits and scene transitions
Comfortable stereo that respects the original cinematography
Depth choices made to enhance the narrative
Good 3D isn’t just about depth: it’s about where and why that depth exists.
High-Quality 3D Conversion Doesn’t Have to Mean High Cost
One of the biggest misconceptions we challenge at EYEPOP-3D is the idea that convincing 3D conversion must be prohibitively expensive.
By combining modern tools with years of hands-on experience converting:
Classic films
Archival material
Independent features
Public-domain titles
we’re able to offer cost-effective, high-quality 3D conversion without sacrificing visual integrity.
This opens the door for filmmakers, distributors, and archives to explore stereoscopic releases that were previously out of reach.
Judge 3D Conversion by the Results — Not the Method
The question audiences should be asking in 2026 isn’t: “Was this converted from 2D?”
It’s: “Does the 3D feel right?”
When done properly, 2D-to-3D conversion can be immersive, respectful to the source material, and a highly engaging experience in terms of viewer comfort and engagement.
At EYEPOP-3D, we believe it’s time the conversation caught up with the technology.
FAQ
Is 2D-to-3D conversion lower quality than native 3D?
No. High-quality 2D-to-3D conversion can match and in some cases exceed native 3D when depth is crafted carefully and shot-by-shot rather than applied automatically.
Why do some 3D conversions still look bad?
Poor results usually come from rushed schedules, limited budgets, or fully automated “one-click” processes that lack artistic refinement. Sadly the internet is now flooded with AI-autoconverted versions of many major blockbuster films from the last 50 years. These ai "one-click" conversions quality range from almost watchable albeit with hardly any 3D depth, through to instantly nausea inducing whilst the screen warps uncontrollably and the 3d depth bounces in and out of the screen in a fit inducing frenzy. Even the milder AI conversions still manage to have regular depth errors, background warping and failure to maintain any consistent depth.
How has 2D-to-3D conversion improved in recent years?
Advances in AI depth analysis, combined with manual correction and depth grading, have dramatically improved realism, comfort, and consistency in modern conversions.
Is AI alone enough for good 3D conversion?
AI is a powerful tool, but on its own it cannot fully understand narrative focus, scene intent, or visual hierarchy. The best results come from AI-assisted workflows guided by experienced artists.
What makes EYEPOP-3D different from other conversion services?
EYEPOP-3D combines a cost-effective workflow whilst aiming to deliver professional, hand-crafted refinement — focusing on comfortable, cinematic depth rather than exaggerated effects.
ONLINE STORE
If you are a 3D enthusiast, and would like to support our work, why not take a look at our available range of 3D Blu-rays, you'll be amazed at the variety and quality of what's available.
Comments