How to Convert 2D Photos to 3D Models in 4 Easy Ways

Last Updated on March 23, 2023 by Peter Wood


When you have a special pet or a beloved person, you might want to create a 3D model. You can only use one photo to convert to a 3D model. If you have a series of images, you can create a 3D model with these photos for more detail. Let’s find out how to turn a 2D image into a printable 3d model possible from the following article.

Convert 2D Photo to 3D Model

WidsMob ImageConvert

Support import various image formats including JPG, JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, and famous RAW format from Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc., and batch convert them into widely used JPG, TIFF, PNG, and BMP files.

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Part 1: How to Convert 2D Photo to 3D Model Online

Smoothie-3D is one of the best solutions to convert photos to 3D model online. Unlike converting photos to PDFs or converting photos to line drawings, converting a 2D image to a 3D model is much more complicated. You can use extrude tools in CAD software or other software to create new geometry for a 3D model. Smoothie-3D offers a simple solution to get the 3D model. Of course, you can also use Autodesk 123D Catch or Neutra 3D Pro to make a 3D model with multiple photos from different angles.

Convert 2D Photo to 3D Model with Smoothie-3D

When you get the Photo to a 3D converter, you have to choose the most important picture. If you want to use some professional 2D Photo to 3D model, you need to take several photos from multiple angles. As for Smoothie-3D, you might only take the stuff from the side, which makes modeling much easy. When you copy one side of the thing, you can combine them into a 3D model accordingly.

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Part 2: How to Turn a 2D Image into a 3D Model

Just take a picture of a squirrel for an example. It was taken from the side and used as the best sample to convert a photo to a 3D model. When you enter Smoothie-3D, you should create an account and login first. After that, you can follow the procedure to create a 3D model out of a photo.

Step 1: Click the Image menu to Add the squirrel photo to the program online. If you add the wrong image, you can Remove it from the program.

3D Textured Models

Step 2: You can use a default outline drawing tool and get an outline of the squirrel in different parts. Just redo it if you do not get an exact outline shape of the squirrel.

3D CAD

Step 3: Rotate the outline part and remove the select part to create a 3D model out of the photo. If you are not satisfied with the size, resize the photo beforehand.

3D Extrude

Step 4: After that, you can combine different 3D models into a whole. Make any change to remove the unnecessary part to turn the photo into a 3D model accordingly.

3D Subdivision

Step 5: Export the 3D model to Sketchfab, Shapeways, i.materialise, Thingiverse or other solution to convert photo into a printable 3D model or a 3D model directly.

Export 3D

It is the best gift for your friends or family. If you still have any queries to create the a 3D model, you can also consult the following tutorial to get 3D model out of a photo. For ordering a 3D model, you can also consult some online service providers for help.

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Part 3: Convert Multiple 2D Photos to 3D model on Windows 10/8/7

When you turn one photo into a 3D model, it is for some simple pets or unexpected occasions. Most of the time, you should print lots of images from different angles. And then use some professional 3D model converter to stitch them as a whole. As for the case, Neutra 3D Pro is a recommended program to convert photos to the 3D model.

Step 1: Load multiple photos to s 3D model, and then use the image alignment technical to combine different pictures.

Step 2: After that, you also need a side photo to use the 3D masking to create a model.

Step 3: Using the 2D masking several times to remove the unnecessary part out of the model.

Step 4: Point Cloud Generation is also required to analyze detailed points to build a model from the photos.

Step 5: Finally, you can refine the model surface and define the texture from the photos.

If you have any queries for converting multiple photos to the 3D model, you can also find more detail from the following video tutorial accordingly.

Convert 2D Photo to 3D Model with Neitra 3D Pro Win Download Mac Download

Part 4: How to Create 3D Face Models from Photos

It is popular to create 3D face models using a single photo. Instead of using some complicated CAD software to convert 2D photos to 3D face models, you can simply use an AI system to quickly recreate the shape of a face from a single photo. Here is the detailed process you should know.

Step 1: Go to https://generated.photos and log in to the account. Click the Browse Photos button to upload the desired photos online. If you just need to have a try, you can simply choose one from the library via filters.

AI Photo Generate 2D

Step 2: Open and activate the headshot plugin before importing the desired photo, you can select the Auto mode to start with separated 3D hair elements and convert the 2D photo to a 3D face model automatically within seconds.

Step 3: To further edit the 3D photos, you can alter and refine the head shape of the character with more than 1000 Headshot Morph with different facial features, body styles, and multiple shapes accordingly.

Auto Face from 2D Photo

Step 4: When you need to convert 2D photos to 3D models realistic, you can use the SkinGen option from Modify. Just apply the Skin & Makeup assets to the character from the gallery to 4K photo quality.

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Tips: Best Method to Touch up Portraits for 3D Faces

When you need to touch up portrait images for 3D faces, WidsMob Portrait Pro is a versatile portrait editor you should try. It enables you to customize portrait presets, enhance a portrait, and have makeup with a batch process. It can detect all facial points and tweak them with multiple settings. Moreover, you can also switch to different portraits within the single photo before converting 2D photos to 3D face models.

1. Touch-up portraits with skin management, portrait enhancements, and makeup.

2. Customize presets to apply a series of portrait edits to touch-up faces in one click.

3. Remove backgrounds from portrait images for making 2D photos into 3D models.

4. Provide advanced AI portrait editor, AI background remover, and more features.

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Step 1: Once you have installed WidsMob Portrait Pro, you can launch the program on your computer. Click the Import button to trigger the open-file dialog or drop your photos into the program. It enables you to detect the facial points within the portrait image.

Import Portrait Image

Step 2: To touch up the portrait within one click, you can simply click the Preset panel and choose the desired preset from the drop-down list, such as the Smoothing + Brighten Eyes option to apply multiple portrait editing features within a single click.

Apply Preset Retouch

Step 3: Besides, it also provides multiple enhancing features, such as smoothing skin, removing blemishes, changing eye color, applying lipstick, choosing blush, and more. Just turn on the Before and After to view the portrait effects instantly.

Apply Blush Retouch

Step 4: Once you have retouched your photo, you can click the Export button to enter the export window. Enter a filename into the box, set the output folder, and choose a photo format from the Format option or even adjust the Quality option to export the retouched photo.

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Conclusion

Converting photos to 3D models is used frequently in business. When you get familiar with the skills, it can be a great help to your work. Here are 4 workable methods to get a satisfactory 3D image from the photos. When you need to get the best 3D photos, just follow the detailed process to make them accordingly.