Owl3D 2.2.1 is our biggest Shift update yet, and it brings three experiences together in one app: the Live 3D screen that turns what's on your display into 3D as you watch, a new 3D model viewer for exploring 3D models, and a new Holographic photo viewer that brings your own photos to life. (The Holographic photo viewer is available on Windows today — the Mac version arrives in the next few weeks.)

Around those three, we've made 3D feel right for you. Personalize Your 3D sets the depth to your own eye distance the first time you connect, and once you're inside a feature a quick re-calibration sits right in the menu bar. When more than one person is in front of the screen you can also switch which viewer the 3D follows — so sharing Shift with a friend or a family member takes a moment, not a setup session.

Automatic 3D and subject tracking are also steadier across the board, the interface now feels like one consistent app, and we've fixed a long list of issues you reported.

Stay tuned on our Discord channel for upcoming updates and feature announcements!

What's New in v2.2.1

🎮 New Features

• Live 3D Screen: Watch anything on your screen in 3D as it plays, with steadier tracking that follows you as you move.

• 3D model viewer: Import and view 3D models on Shift — now with a floor grid and lighting for a real sense of space, background editing, and on-screen controls to move and inspect your object.

• Holographic photo viewer: Bring your own photos into 3D, with auto or pick capture and background editing. (Available on Windows today; the Mac version arrives in the next few weeks.)

🎨 Enhancements

• Personalize Your 3D: Tune the 3D to your own eye distance the first time you connect — and once a feature is running, re-calibrate in seconds straight from its menu bar.

• Switch who's watching: When more than one person is in front of the screen, switch which viewer the 3D follows, so it's easy to hand Shift to a friend or family member.

• Unified interface: The Live 3D screen, 3D model viewer, and Holographic photo viewer now share one consistent look and feel.

• Guided calibration walkthrough: A new onboarding animation shows you exactly what to do the first time you calibrate.

✨ Improvements

• Steadier automatic 3D: Fewer false switches into 3D on ordinary 2D video, so playback stays stable.

• More stable subject tracking: Reduced flicker and duplicate detections, including in full-screen.

• Smarter performance handling: Stays smooth on static screens and lower-end setups, turning 3D off only when it's truly needed.

• Clearer messaging and controls: Better guidance when your graphics card isn't supported, a quit confirmation that only appears during an active session, and simplified Stereo playback options.

🐛 Bug Fixes

• Live 3D screen: "Fullscreen only" no longer disappears under Stereo mode, manual format switching now works in Stereo mode, and eye tracking is respected as you move your head.

• Fewer interruptions: Live 3D now exits cleanly when your display changes — a resolution change, sleep, or closing the lid — instead of quitting unexpectedly.

• 3D model viewer: Fixed incorrect model colors and objects getting cropped at the viewer edges.

• Stability: Fixed eye tracking sometimes failing to start, a black screen on some setups, and an oversized "Make Holographic" badge.

⚠️ Good to Know

• Keep your computer plugged in: Battery power noticeably reduces 3D performance. Plug in, then restart your computer for it to take effect.

• Mac: turn off Low Power Mode: Low Power Mode also reduces 3D performance — here's how to turn it off.

Looking forward to you enjoying!

Happy Owl3Ding! 🦉