Automatic determination of the complexity associated with converting image content from 2-dimensions to 3-dimensions commences by first determining how many different scenes exist within the image content. Each scene then undergoes analysis to determine its complexity based on the motion, texture and occlusion within the scene. The scene complexities are added to the scene transition complexity and the total gets weighted to yield an overall indication of the complexity of converting of image content from 2-dimensions to 3-dimensions.