Q: A client wants us to shoot their video in 3D- actually they are asking us to duplicate the look of the old Viewmaster reels of the 50’s and 60’s for their commercial spot. Is this possible? I’m thinking this would be expensive and time consuming without the quality they expect.

A: Those 3D Viewmaster reels were very cool! They used a special camera that utilized a technique called stereoscopy, stereoscopic imaging or 3-D (three-dimensional) imaging. The equipment was capable of recording three-dimensional visual information or creating the illusion of depth in an image. Here is the still camera that was used:

The camera was made in the 50’s, but you can still find them around and most of them still work

It uses normal 35mm slide film, but the images are small pairs. Since it uses the smaller images you can get 70 3D pictures from a 36 exposure roll. The film travels out of the can for the top roll up pictures, and then back in for the bottom.

The film can be developed at any decent photo lab, you just have to tell them to not cut and mount the film. What you get back is a long strip of developed film. You can then cut out the chips with the film cutter and insert them into blank reels.

So How Do I Create 3D Video today?

Option #1: Two Camera DIY Approach

Much like the Viewmaster camera, you can create the same effect using two video cameras the same distance apart as your eyes and simply start shooting video with both cameras at the same time. This simulates the way we actually see and therefore creates the 3D effect when viewed.

Getting Started:

• Two Cameras (preferably the same model)
• 3D Glasses
• A Video Editor
• a lot of patience
• simple video editing software.

Warnings

The slightest angle difference in the cameras will completely ruin the whole shot. Make sure the lenses are level with one another.

Steps

1. Get your two cameras, and make sure the lenses are 2-8 (three works best, but the greater the more 3D effect) inches apart. It helps to create a device that holds them both from the tripod screw spots on the bottom.

Here’s a video on how to build a two cam mount

(Warning: profanity at the end of this video)

2. Film whatever you want in 3D with both cameras.

3. Upload both videos into your video editor.

4. Make one of the videos (let’s say the left camera’s video) have a red overlay. Make the right camera’s video have a blue overlay. The result should be the same video, twice, in two colors, three inches apart.

5. Place both videos into your editor, on top of each other, so you can see them both at once. The result should be almost purple and you should have a somewhat “double-vision” look to it.

6. Export this video, and play it, while wearing those Red-Blue 3D glasses and it should work. If not, you should try experimenting with the settings.

7. If need be, switch the colors to darker or lighter shades. Maybe even try changing the distance of the lenses.

8. Make sure you can “Place both videos on top of each other” with whatever “simple” editing software you have

Video editing software you can use:

For the PC:

Avid edits 3D as well as Sony Vegas.

Stereoscopic Player is shareware, and the latest version is very robust! A freeware program that is quite good is Stereo Movie Maker . A more professional option from LIGHTSPEED is DepthHQ

For the Mac:

The Anaglyph Plugin for Final Cut Pro separates a clip into Red/Blue (Cyan) images for use with Red/Blue 3D glasses. It can be used with sterescopic camera clips, or with a user setable artificial separation.

This is a beta version of the software, currently available for free.

CineForm’s Neo3D delivers a comprehensive 3D editorial workflow in Final Cut Pro to reduce end-to-end costs for creating 3D content. While editing in FCP, Neo3D allows for 3D monitoring to an external display, plus real-time adjustment of convergence and color controls implemented as Active Metadata.

Additional Instructions on how to do it in FCP

Tips

• You must make sure that your two videos are in exact sync with each other, otherwise you will get a poor result. Use a camera flash to sync videos.
• When editing these videos together, it also sometimes helps to remove the audio from one of the videos.
• While recording, the cameras must be perfectly aligned. Check if they are aligned with a level

Option #2: Use the NuView Camcorder Adapter

This is the easiest and cheapest device to capture 3D using any miniDV camcorder. (Not using progressive mode)

For less than $500 and the camcorder you probably already have, you can record and enjoy 3-D video. Now, with the Nu-View, you will discover how exciting video can be when it is stereoscopic; 3-D video is here and it is affordable. The Nu-View is’ constructed of a sturdy black plastic housing. The adapter attaches to the lens of your camcorder by sliding onto a bayonet ring that screws into the filter threads. Inside there is a front surface mirror, two liquid crystal shutter “light valves”, and a prismatic beam-splitter. The light valves open and close to allow recording of either the direct image or the mirror reflected image. The two images are recorded on alternate fields of the video frame. A cable from the video out connector on the camcorder provides the synchronization of the adapter light valves with the alternating fields of the camcorder. The adapter is powered by a single “AAA” battery that lasts for more than 50 hours of use. The unit weighs 11.5 ounces. Click here for more details.

Option #3: Use the new Panasonic 3D HD Video Camera

Forget about hand-building your own 3D production system by physically connecting multiple 2D production devices, Panasonic is now starting to work on developing a twin-lens, 3D camera system. Technologies and expertise obtained from their use in post-production has enabled Panasonic to further develop high-quality 3D viewing performance in its Plasma technologies. As a result of this process, Panasonic’s 3D Plasma display system will help 3D content producers to quickly and easily evaluate the image quality of 3D content.

Option #4: Purchase the TDVCam

The TDVCam is a true stereoscopic high definition tapeless digital video camera that records 3D video in MPEG4 format. The TDVCam is fully integrated to TDVision applications and the TDVisor. Now the user can record memorable occasions, events, and other real world content with High Definition and 3D realism, all in a small form factor device. More information can be found here.

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