Methods and devices for creating and printing variable size and variable resolution holographic stereograms and holographic optical elements can generate one-step, full-color, full-parallax holographic stereograms using a reference beam-steering system that allows a reference beam to expose a holographic recording material from different angles. One method includes selecting, for each of a plurality of viewing zones, a respective scene; generating a computer model of each scene; and determining, for each of a plurality of elemental holograms for a holographic stereogram, viewing zone mask volumes. For each elemental hologram and for each viewing zone mask volume, an image is rendered of the selected scene enclosed by the viewing zone mask volume. The rendering is based at least in part on the computer model of the selected scene. After the rendering is complete for each of the viewing zone mask volumes, a composite rendered image is generated for the elemental holograms.