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Image To 3D Model

The document discusses various methods for creating 3D models from photos, including using a single photo or multiple photos. For a single photo, it describes tools like Smoothie 3D, extrusion in CAD software, AI-powered tools, and creating lithophanes. For multiple photos, it recommends photogrammetry software to generate accurate 3D models and describes optimizing photo quality and inspecting the final 3D printed model.

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Kovacs Atila
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104 views11 pages

Image To 3D Model

The document discusses various methods for creating 3D models from photos, including using a single photo or multiple photos. For a single photo, it describes tools like Smoothie 3D, extrusion in CAD software, AI-powered tools, and creating lithophanes. For multiple photos, it recommends photogrammetry software to generate accurate 3D models and describes optimizing photo quality and inspecting the final 3D printed model.

Uploaded by

Kovacs Atila
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Image to 3D Model – How to Create a 3D Model From Photos

 Bring Your Photos Back to Life


 How to Turn a Picture Into a 3D Model
 Single Photo: Smoothie 3D
 Single Photo: Extrude Tool
 Single Photo: AI
 Single Photo: Lithophanes
 What About Multiple Photos?
 Multiple Photos: Optimizing Your Pictures
 Multiple Photos: 3D Modeling
 Multiple Photos: Inspecting Your Model

Give life to your favorite images using a 3D printer and create


unprecedented personalized objects. In this article, we show
you how to create a 3D model form photos to 3D print, no
professional experience required.

IMAGE TO 3D MODEL – HOW TO CREATE A 3D MODEL FROM


PHOTOS Bring Your Photos Back to Life
Children's photos are prime candidates for 3D printing. Source:
Instructables.com
Whether for a personalized gift or for decorations around the home, creating a
3D print from a photo presents many opportunities for enhancing the world
around you.

There are many ways you can 3D print from photos, and you needn’t be a
professional 3D artist. All you need are photos in high resolution and an ounce
of 3D printing skill. And, of course, time.

Creating a 3D model may be the only difficult part of the process, and there’s
usually no way around this. You will have to learn a few tricks. Thankfully,
there’s plenty of easy-to-use software out there.
How to Turn a Picture Into a 3D Model

A 3D portrait. Source: Toolfarm.com


Techniques for creating 3D models from photos depend on the number of
photos. While a single photo is okay, multiple photos guarantee a more
detailed and accurate 3D model.

For a single photo, methods include:

 Smoothie 3D, a free online platform,


 the extrude tool, found in many CAD programs,
 an AI-powered tool, and
 lithophanes.
In the following, we’ll look at each of these four methods in detail before
moving on to multiple-photo conversion.

Single Photo: Smoothie 3D


Making a Giraffe in Smoothie 3D Source: youtube.com
Smoothie 3D is a free online platform used in the creation of 3D models from
a single picture. The software uses one image to create an online digital
model that resembles what you get when you use a scan or photogrammetry. 

Unfortunately, this software won’t be of much help if you need asymmetrical


models with plenty of details. In fact, Smoothie 3D will require a bit of
“drawing” (on the app) in order to turn those parts into textured 3D models.
This process should take a short time if you are familiar with the software
interface.

Once your modeling phase is done, you may decide to print yourself or send
your design to a 3D printing service.

Smoothie-3D provides a simple solution and makes 3D printing a photo as


easy as possible. The best part is that no prior modeling experience is
required, and neither do you have to download any software on your PC.
IMAGE TO 3D MODEL – HOW TO CREATE A 3D MODEL FROM
PHOTOS Single Photo: Extrude Tool
Extrusion Source: YouTube
An extrude tool creates new geometry from faces, vertices, or edges. It will
help you create the third axis from your 2D file (picture) based on some
algorithms. You will end up with new geometry, and your model will have
volume.

This tool is mostly found in computer aided design (CAD) software. Your task
is therefore to choose the CAD tool that best suits you, whether that’s a
professional tool or something a little less pricey.
IMAGE TO 3D MODEL – HOW TO CREATE A 3D MODEL FROM
PHOTOS Single Photo: AI
3D image of a face created using AI. Source: Kingston.ac.uk
In September 2017, the world was introduced to an AI-powered tool that can
turn your face photo into a 3D model. The tool was the result of research from
two UK universities, who detailed their research in this paper. According
to The Verge, the researchers taught the AI system how to extrapolate a face
from a single photo by feeding it many photographs and corresponding 3D
models.

Having the ability to create such 3D models with ease could have several
applications in today’s digital world, including the much-hyped area of VR. It
also makes it super easy to 3D print from photo.
IMAGE TO 3D MODEL – HOW TO CREATE A 3D MODEL FROM
PHOTOS Single Photo: Lithophanes
An illuminated lithophane. Source: DIYPhotography.net
A lithophane is an image “carved” into a translucent material, whereby a
backlight reveals the contents. They’ve been around since the early 1800s,
though they haven’t always 3D printed.

Thicker areas prevent light from passing through, appearing darker, while thin
areas appear brighter.

To create a lithophane, you will first need to create a 3D model from your
photo. Here are some tools you can use:

 Image to Lithophane (free and readily accessible)


 PhotoToMesh
 Cura (13.11 and above)
Once you have your STL file, load it into your slicer program to slice it into
layers that will guide your printer. Then print.

Formlabs recommends a high-resolution SLA (stereolithography) printer over


conventional FDM printers. They argue that FDM printers produce thick
layers, which will affect the appearance of your image.
IMAGE TO 3D MODEL – HOW TO CREATE A 3D MODEL FROM
PHOTOS What About Multiple Photos?

Photo manipulation. Source: YouTube


Several options present themselves when using multiple photos. The first, of
course, is to simply make use of some of the same tools described above. If,
however, you’re interested in a more detailed model, you can seek the
services of a 3D designer or take on the task of learning tools like Zbrush or,
yourself.

Finally, there’s the option of photogrammetry, which involves taking several


photos of your subject and collecting a series of points in space from the
images. If you choose this path, be sure to take plenty of pictures of your
object in as many angles as possible. Then, upload your
photos to photogrammetry software to generate a 3D printable file.
Take note of the fact that you need high-quality images if you want to get an
excellent rendering of your 3D model. 3D printing from photo largely relies on
the quality of your pictures.
IMAGE TO 3D MODEL – HOW TO CREATE A 3D MODEL FROM
Multiple Photos: Optimizing Your
PHOTOS

Pictures

Photo Manipulation Source: youtube.com


To optimize your pictures, you’re going to need the following:

 A high-resolution digital camera: You need digital files, and you need
them in high quality.
 A lighting device. Proper lighting is key to improving your shoot.
 A tripod: You’ll want to stabilize your subject and your camera as much
as possible.
A couple of things to watch out for when shooting:

 Overexposure
 Even lighting
You are some photo editing programs you can use:
 iPhoto
 Adobe Lightroom
 Adobe Bridge
IMAGE TO 3D MODEL – HOW TO CREATE A 3D MODEL FROM
PHOTOS Multiple Photos: 3D Modeling

A 2D portrait turned 3D model. Source: YouTube


If possible, take 30 to 40 pictures at different angles and ensure they are of
high quality before uploading them to your photogrammetry software like.
Here are a few example tools:

 Acute 3D
 Photoscan
 Recap
The magic of 3D scanning happens through some algorithms. Once you have
a good set of photos, most of the work is left to the software.
IMAGE TO 3D MODEL – HOW TO CREATE A 3D MODEL FROM
Multiple Photos: Inspecting Your
PHOTOS

Model
3D printed faces Source: YouTube
It should be easy to immediately notice any issues with your model.
Nevertheless, keep changing the viewing angles because some flaws are
difficult to detect at first glance. Be especially keen with the structural details.

Some flaws you can fix using smoothing and sculpting tools. But if you feel
your model looks too different from the original object, you may need to take a
new set of photos. This may be the better option in order to avoid the
frustration that can come fro repairing models. Just remember, the more
accurate your photos, the better.

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