A Beginners Guide to Create a 3D Model From Photos

Updated on: June 09, 2023

3D Design

7 minute read

Creating a 3D Model From Photos
Create a 3D Model From Photos

3D technology has made replicating the things around us much easier. A 3D model is a replica model with three dimensions. It helps viewers know more about the depth, height, and width. 3D modeling is the best method of recreation adopted by businesses these days. Three-dimensional art can help you bring out the subject details in a whole new way.

To create 3D models, you will need a high-quality camera with advanced settings, the best software, and a three-dimensional printer. This article will come in handy for those who want to learn how to create a 3D design from 2D images.

How to Make 3D Models?

Do you own a three-dimensional printer? Then you might have tried free downloadable 3D images. Won't you get a different satisfaction if you could make your 3D models? Yes, it's easy these days due to the CAD software. User friendly and cost-effective with few rules to be kept in mind.

Create a 3D model using the following steps to get the accurate results as in the picture:

  • Step 1 : Select your Images
  • Step 2 : Capture the Images
  • Step 3 : Shoot the scenes from multiple angles to get 360 degree view
  • Step 4 : Install best 3D modeling software
  • Step 5 : Upload the images to 3D software
  • Step 1 : Select your object

    Make sure you do not choose a large object as it might not fit in the frame. The final output of your project depends upon the quality of your picture. You will get a very precise three-dimensional model if your picture is high quality.

  • Step 2 : Object capturing

    You will have to take care of the positioning of your object. It has to be at the center of the frame, and then changing the angle takes another loop of the top. Appropriate lighting has to be chosen to distinguish the object.

  • Step 3 : Shooting scenes from multiple perspectives

    Create a panorama without moving. Shoot again, making a parallel movement to the photographed scene. Keep repeating the process till you get a 360-degree view of your object. The entire scene will appear in a single image, merging all these photos.

  • Step 4 : Installation of the perfect modeling software

    Choose the best image conversion software programs with proper features to make your process easy.Sometimes the process of creating a 3D model as it is from the picture looks tough and time consuming. That's where a 3D modeling company comes into play.

  • Step 5: Upload the picture to software

    Upload pictures to the software and convert a picture to a 3D model. Next review your model and clean up unnecessary elements that can spoil your model and do edit your model if required according to your requirements.

Useful Article : 3D Model Creation: From Basic Stages to the Finished Product

Turn a 2D Image Into a 3D Model With These Most Important Image Conversion Tools

To create 3D models from 2D images you need to choose software that is easy to use and has a wide range of tools that help to get accurate results. Here are some of the best software to turn pictures into 3D models.

  • Tinkercad

    Tinkercad
    • Tinkercad standard computer-aided design software useful for industrial designing
    • TinkerCAD is the best software to design 3D prints, and it is browser-based, which is easy to get started with.
    • The perfect tool for extruding an image to an STL
    • Has very high customizability and low difficulty level
  • Photo to Mesh

    • Photo to Mesh is the only lithophane downloadable program which requires to be purchased
    • A free demo version is available to try before buying
    • Two versions are available at different prices for a single user
    • Higher level of customizability with STL output format
  • 3D Slash

    3D Slash
    • 3D Slash is a ideal software for beginners
    • Intuitive and user-friendly features
    • The standard version is freely available
  • ItsLitho

    ItsLitho
    • ItsLitho is a robust, fully-fledged lithophane program
    • Has a variety of options are available
    • You will have to flip the image imported into the program
    • Has an accounting system to keep track of your lithophanes
    • This program has a high level of customizability
  • Cura

    Cura
    • Cura is a slicer translating three-dimensional models into code
    • Capable of creating lithophanes easily
    • You can load the JPG to be printed
    • Select default values ensuring selection of the "darker is higher" option
    • The customizability level of this program is medium and is available free of cost
  • Lithophane Maker

    • Lithophane Maker can build and generate high-quality 3D images
    • Has a high level of customizability with a low level of difficulty
    • Helpful in getting great results in an STL format
    • Free
  • 3D Face Reconstruction

    • A photo enhancement program that is AI-assisted
    • Applies to the human faces photo converting them into 3D renders
    • Very low customization but gives a detail-oriented result
  • Image to Lithophane

    Lithophane Maker
    • Image to Lithophane an easiest among all other programs
    • Upload your photo pick the shape desired, and simply download lithophane
    • Available free of cost with medium customizability
  • Selva3D

    Selva3D
    • Selva3D is a recent addition to the list of tools with a low level of difficulty and customizability
    • The major highlight of this tool is that it can automatically trace out a 3D design
    • Logos is the setting for designs with few colors and high contrast
    • Photographs will be the setting for real-life pictures
    • Manipulation of the threshold and the model height is possible
  • SketchUp

    sketchup
    • SketchUp offers paid and unpaid versions
    • The free version is called SketchUp free and is a web-based platform
    • Paid versions are downloadable standalone programs having robust tools useful for 3D modeling
    • Best software for beginners
  • Blender

    Blender
    • Blender is an open-source, free, robust, and customizable 3D modeling program
    • Mostly used by designers, engineers, and animators
    • A bit complicated as it has numerous options and settings
  • Smoothie-3D

    Smoothie-3D
    • Smoothie-3D is one of the first image converter tools having medium customizability
    • Upload your image and outline it
    • A three-dimensional render is generated based on that image outlined
    • It is then exported as an STL or OBJ slicer-compatible file type
    • This tool also allows morphing the images into cylinders, cones, etc.
    • Changing camera orientation helps in seeing the image looks from every angle.

Over to You

Creating an exact rendition of an object which is already existing is an exciting approach to creating special memories.

ThePro3DStudio can be a reliable partner for your requirements. We ensure 100% satisfaction of our clients with amazing software and the skilled artists well trained to use that software with utmost creativity.

Related article : 10 Excellent Tips to Improve Your 3D Modeling Workflow

Making three-dimensional models is not taken by us as a profession. Rather, we enjoy every new creation as a reward for the efforts taken for every work.

So what are you waiting for ?


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Sushmita Roy

A seasoned 3D professional with a creative focused, and a knack for diverse 3D designs, software and the technology. She's associated with ThePro3DStudio for long enough to prove her mettle and make every 3D projects successful. When she’s not busy working for a new project, she shares valuable insights from her own experience.