Change 3D video depth with timestamps

StereoPhotoView can change the depth of existing stereo video at timestamps. This lets you adjust parallax as the main object approaches the camera and moves away again. The reference describes smooth depth changes between adjusted points and saving the result to a new file.

Input and result

Input: video with left and right views supported by the installed build. Result: a new stereoscopic video file with depth adjusted over time. This edits existing stereo content rather than generating 3D from ordinary 2D video.

Steps

  1. Download the application and open the video with “File” → “Open”. Choose the correct “Source Format” if its layout is not detected automatically.
  2. Set the base scene depth using an alignment tool. Choose the object that should appear on the screen plane.
  3. Find the point where the object starts approaching, pause playback, and press Ctrl+T or choose “Edit” → “Add Timestamp”.
  4. Repeat at three more points: the object finishes approaching, starts moving away, and finishes moving away. This gives four key points.
  5. Select the timestamp at the end of the approach on the timeline and adjust depth using an alignment tool. Repeat at the timestamp where the object starts moving away.
  6. Play the full interval between timestamps. The reference describes smooth depth changes; inspect transitions and parallax comfort on your chosen display.
  7. Choose “File” → “Save as…”. Select a new file, stereo format, and encoding settings in the save dialog.
  8. Open the resulting file and inspect the intervals before, between, and after the timestamps again. This checks the saved video rather than just its preview.

Limitations

Available containers and codecs depend on the bundled FFmpeg build; use the installed application’s options and the saving reference. Use a different destination file: video saving writes to another file. Inspect the remaining scenes before extending one interval’s settings to the full recording.

The reference does not document a CLI for adding these timestamps, so this guide uses the interface. A normal layout conversion with stereo-conv does not establish that these adjustments are transferred.

If the video views differ in color or brightness because of different camera settings, use automatic color adjustment to match the selected view to the other.

See also saving a freeze frame and choosing a display mode.

Documentation basis

The variable depth section and saving reference were checked on 2026-10-05. Target version: 1.21.3.