Image data, in particular a three-dimensional image master, is generated for stereoscopic playback via an auto-stereoscopic playback device. Image data are generated for playback that evokes a three-dimensional visual impression in a human observer by: receiving and/or importing 2D image data of an original view, deriving a plurality of further partial views that represent the information shown in the original view from different viewing angles. For each pixel of the 2D image data of the original view, color values are determined and a control value dependent on the color values is automatically assigned to each of the pixels. Each control value represents disparity information, and while deriving the plurality of partial views, which represents different viewing directions of an original scene represented by the 2D image data of the original view, the individual pixels of the original image are shifted pixel-wise relative to one another according to a displacement vector pre-set for the respective view and corresponding to the control value assigned to the individual pixel, and the pixels of the respective view are derived on the basis of the shifted pixels.