3D vision is based on the fact that our two eyes send slightly different visual information to our brain, because they look at an object from two different perspectives. The visual center in our brain then transforms the two pictures into one three dimensional “image”. This is how humans see the height, width and depth of an object.

Conventional, 2D visualizations send the same visual information to both eyes, neglecting our brains capability to “see” in 3 dimensions. You can compare the visual experience of 2D to looking at an object with only one eye. So, while we see height and width, we have to make assumptions around the depth of an object.
3D-stereo visualization uses 2 cameras, mounted next to each other at a distance equal to the distance of our eyes (Interestingly enough, the object that’s being filmed doesn’t even have to exist physically. It is possible to create the 2 images required via computer programs that “pretend” to look at a single virtual object from 2 different camera positions).The two resulting pictures now need to be delivered to each of the spectators eyes, respectively: To enjoy a perfect 3D stereo experience, one must deliver the picture from the left hand camera to the left eye and the picture from the right hand camera to the right eye exclusively.


Two distinct technologies are used to achieve this:

• Active 3D stereo
  
• Passive 3D stereo