One of Creator 2012's coolest features is the ability to edit and create 3D photos and videos, even without special 3D hardware! You can add amazingly realistic 3D effects to your existing 3D pictures and movies, or edit shots from one of the many new 3D cameras on the market. You can also use a 2D camera and merge pictures into a 3D image with Creator.
Creator 2012 lets you do all three. You can view "anaglyph" 3D photos and videos on any monitor with a standard pair of red/blue glasses. For the higher-quality stereoscopic format used by many new 3D cameras and camcorders, you can edit in Creator with no additional hardware, but you'll need a 3D-capable PC or HDTV and matching 3D glasses to view the results. Most higher-end HDTVs these days include 3D capability. Check out our article on how 3D video works for more information.
3D-Capable Hardware
For the full high-definition 3D experience, we therefore recommend using a 3D-capable PC, which includes an appropriate video card or processor, a 3D-enabled monitor (which can be your big-screen 3DTV), and (usually) 3D glasses. Many recent laptops and desktops can be upgraded to 3D with a simple kit consisting of glasses and software, such as NVIDIA's 3D Vision Kit. NVIDIA also provides a handy list of 3D-capable laptops and desktops, along with a list of system requirements, including compatible 3D HDTVs.
Hardware 3D support also opens up the world of 3D Blu-ray and 3D games -- literally hundreds of great PC games can be viewed in 3D! And with 3D Blu-ray capability, you can both watch movies like Avatar, and create your own 3D Blu-rays for viewing on your big-screen 3DTV. (3D Blu-ray authoring requires the High-Def/Blu-ray Disc Plug-in or Creator 2012 Pro, along with a 3D-capable Blu-ray recorder.)
Creating and Editing 3D Photos
Creator 2012 makes it easy to produce 3D photos from either 2D or 3D originals, including 3D MPO files from a Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3D camera, a pair of left and right views of a place or object, or any 2D digital photo.
Basically, you load your pairs of images, adjust their positioning for an optimal 3D look while wearing your glasses (either anaglyph or active-shutter), and then save the results. Single 2D images are also supported. Creator will automatically make a second image slightly shifted from the first.
Check out our tips for shooting 3D images and videos for maximum effect, then see how to edit them in our video tutorial.
Creator 2012 lets you convert 2D photos to 3D with one click, or edit photos from your 3D camera (click image to enlarge).
Creating & Editing 3D Videos
If you're lucky enough to have a 3D camcorder, Creator 2012 will let you import and edit your videos. But you don't need a 3D camcorder to get started -- Creator can also convert any 2D video to 3D!
It's all done in Roxio VideoWave, part of the Creator suite. VideoWave can also convert traditional 2D images into 3D projects, and incorporate 3D images from multiple sources.
See how to do it in our video tutorial.
Creator 2012 lets you import and edit most types of 3D video, or convert 2D video to 3D (click image to enlarge).
Creating 3D DVDs or Blu-ray Discs
The final piece of the puzzle is burning 3D DVDs and Blu-ray Discs that you can play in your set-top 3D-enabled Blu-ray player. This is a great option if you have a 3DTV and Blu-ray player, but don't yet have a 3D-capable PC monitor and shutter glasses. If you do have 3D hardware support in your PC, you'll be able to preview your work before burning.
See how to create 3D discs with MyDVD in our online video tutorial.
Creator 2012's MyDVD app lets you create 3D DVDs and Blu-ray Discs (click image to enlarge).