I tested Canon’s free DP3D software for taking 3D photos and videos, and it’s available for any Canon camera with Dual Pixel autofocus.
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Canon recently introduced its new Dual Pixel 3D, or DP3D for short, an imaging technology that uses Canon’s patented Dual Pixel AF technology. The new technology is based on Canon’s proprietary Dual Pixel AF technology found in many of its EOS mirrorless cameras, which splits each pixel of the camera sensor into two separate light-sensitive photodiodes.
This technology has provided reliable and agile autofocus in recent years: if the two images on each photodiode line up perfectly, the image is in focus; If they don’t line up, then the camera knows which direction to move the autofocus motor to quickly lock on.
The new Dual Pixel 3D feature can be used to create immersive three-dimensional images through Canon’s new Dual Pixel 3D Converter app that launched in October.
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While it launched alongside the long-awaited Canon EOS R8 Mark II on September 16, a full-frame camera that uses the new feature, it’s good news for owners like me of any Canon EOS mirrorless camera with Dual Pixel AF, dating back to previous generation models like the EOS R5 and EOS R6 Mark II, who will be able to benefit without a firmware update (although updating firmware is always a good idea to stay up to date with the latest features and bug fixes).
I downloaded the Canon Dual Pixel 3D Converter app to put it to the test. Here’s everything you need to know to get started…
How to take photos for Canon DP3D
To get started, you’ll need a Canon EOS camera with Dual Pixel AF. It’s safe to say that if you own one of Canon’s interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras from the last few years, then your camera will likely feature Dual Pixel AF and be able to utilize this new technology.
This is great news for older Canon mirrorless camera users like me, as my old EOS R5 and my previous generation Canon EOS R6 Mark II will still be able to take full advantage of this new technology.
However, your camera will also need to be paired with one of the compatible Canon RF lenses. The list goes beyond the specialist Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8L Dual Fisheye or RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 Dual Fisheye, but it’s a bit limited and currently also doesn’t work with older EF or EF-S lenses. We published a complete list of compatible Canon cameras and lenses that you can use to enjoy this new technology when it was first announced.
Canon says: “Specific shooting conditions and techniques are needed to generate accurate depth information to eliminate blind spots, allow required depth of field, subject-background separation, subject depth, and surface texture.”
In my experience, the software works best when the subject is shot against a clean background (no bokeh) and without too many blind spots making it difficult for the software to create its 3D effect.
You’ll also want an object that is relatively flat and not too deep; Small bumps, like small pieces of fruit in a pie, are fine, but large, deep peaks will cause bigger problems and make the effect much more noticeable and fake-looking.
Two of the compatible lenses Canon lists are the Canon RF 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM and the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 IS Macro STM, both macro lenses. However, when I shot with both, I later received an alert in DP3D warning me for shooting too close to the subject. However, the result was good.
To use the new software, you’ll need to make sure you’re shooting not just in RAW format, but also in Canon’s Dual Pixel RAW format (see above). This setting was found in the first camera menu of my Canon EOS R6 Mark II.
Please note that shooting Dual Pixel RAW will produce files approximately twice the size, take longer to write to the memory card, and cannot be shot when using the electronic shutter.
In addition to 3D, Dual Pixel RAW can be useful for correcting minor parallax errors, changing bokeh or focus, and reducing flare, but if you don’t intend to use these capabilities within Canon’s DPP, I would suggest turning it off when you don’t need it to avoid compromising camera performance.
Make sure the subject and focal point are in focus and the shutter speed is fast enough for handheld shooting; If in doubt, shoot with a tripod. You’ll also want to make sure your exposure is correct so the image isn’t too bright or too dark. Canon recommends not closing the aperture beyond f/5.6 and also keeping the camera sensitivity below ISO 1600; Otherwise, a warning sign will be displayed on the image when you import it into DP3D and you will not get optimal 3D results.
Installing the Canon DP3D app on Windows 11
Once the image is taken, it’s time to open the new Canon Dual Pixel 3D Converter app, which is currently only available for Windows PC running the latest Windows 11 operating system. Read our guide on How to plan a smooth migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
Canon also added: “The app will initially be available for free,” although specifications and terms of use may change in the future; In other words, it’s free initially, but you may have to pay to use it in the future.
Once you’re up and running with Windows 11, you’ll be able to run the installation wizard which can be downloaded from the Canon site. Make sure once downloaded you extract the ZIP file and then double click on the DP3dInstaller-W1.0.0.13.exe file from the unzipped folder to begin the installation.
Now you will have to choose which area you live in; you have the options: USA, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Oceania. On the next screen you can choose the country you live in and also select your language. Once you have checked the box to accept the license agreement, you can press Next which will take you to the final setup screen, click Install here.
It’s also worth noting that at the bottom of the same Canon site, you can download five sample images made up of a mix of food and flowers that you can play with if you haven’t yet shot with Dual Pixel RAW enabled, or perhaps don’t own a Canon EOS mirrorless camera and see what all the fuss is about. Please note that the sample files are downloaded as a DP3D _Sample.zip file and you will need to extract them by right-clicking the folder and choosing Extract before you can use these images in DP3D.
Create 3D images in the DP3D application
The DP3D app allows users to adjust the degree of depth, creating a more pronounced 3D effect or a more subtle “flat” appearance. The technology also makes it easier to isolate the subject and remove or replace the background before generating a 3D model or stereoscopic photograph.
Dual Pixel RAW files and JPEGs supported by Canon EOS R8 Mark II contain depth information derived from the slightly different views captured by the two photodiodes at each pixel. Using proprietary algorithms, Canon converts this phase difference information into 3D shape data, which is combined with high-quality image data captured by selected EOS cameras as surface textures to create realistic and detailed 3D models.
Once you’ve loaded DP3D, you’ll need to click the folder icon at the top of the main window and then navigate to the folder where you saved your Dual Pixel RAW files.
You have two main options: create a 3D model that you can edit further in a 3D editor like Blender, or you can create a preview that creates a very short video with limited options, essentially doing a basic left-to-right pan to show the 3D depth effect. You also have options here to change the background, add a foreground and a frame. You can also choose the video quality when you click Export Preview. Here you can also set the quality to High, Medium or Low (18, 8 or 4 Mbps), choose your own file name and where you want to save the video.
However, I found those options to be quite limiting within DP3D, so I would instead click Export 3D Model, where you can choose between OBJ and GLB files for further editing in the 3D editor of your choice. You can also use the Windows 3D viewer and even the preview on Mac to play with these 3D files and explore the different angles produced by DP3D.
With the created 3D file you can use a program such as Windows 3D Viewer or Blender, which can be downloaded for free. In a program like any of these options you will have many more options than DP3D to change the angle, rotation and lighting, which is great for exporting still images. For videos, you can also change the direction and duration of the pans to make them look perfect for what you need.
Conclusion
After playing with DP3D for some time and with various images and themes, I think it’s fun and interesting that Canon released it for free; After all, additional functionality to the cameras we already own is certainly welcome.
However, the results have limited uses and most of the time appear quite poor. Are there situations where someone might need to get a small 3D animation from a 2D image? Sure, marketers looking to animate shots of food or products for videos and reels seems like a perfectly suitable use for Canon’s new DP3D technology.
While it’s admirable that Canon is trying to make the most of the pixels taken with the camera, this is one of those situations where unfortunately I think the AI can probably do better.
Canon is trying to stretch and manipulate the pixels that are already there, while the AI can create new pixels and frames based on what it thinks should be there, and that will likely create smoother results with fewer artifacts. For still images, the Rotate Object feature found in Photoshop Beta will likely produce better results and is a glimpse of what’s in store for the future of our editing.
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