to
Use our free and fast online tool to convert your DDS (DirectDraw Surface) image or logo into 3D FBX (Autodesk Filmbox) mesh/model files suitable for printing with a 3D printer or for loading into your favorite 3D editing package.
Here are three simple steps to create an FBX file from a DDS file.
This setting allows you to specify how your DDS image is converted to an FBX model. The Extrude options will extrude your image into 3D space, while the Standard options will apply a heightmap process to your image.
The setting can be used to alter the detail of the final FBX model that is created. The default setting of Medium works well for most Extrude and Heightmap conversions, with the High setting recommended for highly detailed image files.
This setting, when given a height of more than zero, will instruct the tool to add a solid 3D base to the final FBX model. The selected unit of measurement specifies the height of the base.
When this option is enabled, the tool will automatically attempt to make the background of your image transparent.
Manually specify your image background color rather than our tool trying to automatically work it out.
If the tool is unable to identify the background and you know the background color, you can specify it here.
This value can be adjusted to control the background removal tolerance. The higher the value, the more background is removed.
A higher value is useful for creating smoother results if your image is anti-aliased.
When the Invert Output option is checked, the pixel brightness is reversed, i.e., black becomes white and white becomes black, resulting in a 3D model that is reversed.
This setting tells the tool how to size the final 3D model when using the settings below for Width, Height, and Depth settings.
When using either the Color Extrude or Heightmap options within the Tool menu, you can optionally upload a separate image that can be used to colorize your 3D model.
This setting instructs the tool on how to interpret the color information of pixels in your image, thereby influencing the creation of the 3D FBX model. The grayscale option is most commonly used when working with heightmaps, unless you are dealing with specific requirements that necessitate the use of color.
Use this value to merge similar colors; this is useful if the image is of low quality. A higher number can help reduce the effects of anti-aliasing in the DDS image.
With this setting, it is possible to reduce the inclusion of small holes within the 3D model caused by small, darker areas of the source DDS file, which can be useful in situations where the source image has not been optimized for use with the tool.
When your DDS file has a transparent background, this option can instruct the tool on how to treat the transparency, with the transparency converted to either black or white.
When this setting is enabled, the conversion tool will attempt to smooth out any "spikes" within the 3D model that are caused by contrasting pixels in the image being in close proximity to one another.
With this option enabled, the tool will mirror the 3D geometry of the generated FBX model along the Z-axis.
If you would like the tool to create a 3D preview of your model, then please select this option. It is on by default.
Use this option to generate Face or Vertex (Smooth) normals in the final 3D model. Vertex normals give the mesh a smooth appearance. You can choose to not create Normals using the None option to reduce the file size.
| Extension | DDS |
| Full Name | DirectDraw Surface |
| Type | Image |
| Mime Type | image/vnd-ms.dds |
| Format | Binary |
| Tools | DDS Converters, Create Cookie Cutter, DDS Viewer |
| Open With | Paint.NET |
The DDS file format was introduced by Microsoft in 1999 and intended to be its standard image format for the DirectX 7 3D graphics API. The format is used to store textures for use within 3D graphics and game environments and can be compressed or uncompressed.
The compression algorithm used by DDS was the previously proprietary S3 texture compression, which could reduce the image file size and was easy for the GPU to decompress in real-time. The format is still used, and there are some third-party image editors that are compatible with it.
| Extension | FBX |
| Full Name | Autodesk Filmbox |
| Type | 3D Model |
| Mime Type | application/octet-stream |
| Format | Text & Binary |
| Tools | FBX Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create FBX Animation, FBX Asset Extractor, Text to FBX, FBX Viewer |
| Open With | Blender, MeshLab |
The FBX format by AutoDesk was originally developed by Kaydara in the 1990s as a means to store 2D or 3D content with motion data. It has evolved over the years to become a widely used format by 3D modeling applications such as Blender, 3D Studio Max, and others due to its 3D animation capabilities.
The format is used to contain 3D models, which include vertices, faces, and other 3D geometry along with animation data. The format is proprietary; however, there is a publicly available API to use for development purposes. The file contents can be either text or binary, and work has been carried out by the Blender Foundation to document the format.
If your original model file contains texture images and other texture-related data, these will be included in the final FBX file.
Our tool converts image (bitmap) data into 3D geometry, which is then saved to the common FBX file format.
The DDS to FBX tool can convert the most common image file formats, such as PNG, JPG or any one of our supported image formats. The output is provided in FBX format, which can be used in most 3D graphics applications.
3D geometry is created based on the luminosity of each pixel in the source image. For example, using the default tool settings, a black pixel represents a 3D pixel height of 0mm, and a white pixel represents a 3D pixel height of 10mm. Colors in between these will be converted to a 3D pixel in this range.
This option reverses the black-to-white range conversion, so with this option set, a black pixel will be rendered as a 3D pixel of 10mm in height, and a white pixel will be rendered as 0mm.
The "Detail" option allows you to control the resolution of the created FBX file. Low detail will generate the model quickly and result in a smaller file. The High option will take longer to generate and can result in very large download files.
With this option, the DDS to FBX converter will attempt to remove or smooth out any spikes in the resulting FBX 3D model. Spikes are usually caused by highly contrasting adjacent pixels in the source DDS file.
The DDS you upload can be any size; however, our tool will resize your image to a maximum of 1200x1200 pixels for all uploaded images that are larger than this.
First click the "Upload..." button, select your DDS file to upload. Select any configuration options. When the DDS to FBX conversion has completed, you can download your FBX file straight away.
We aim to process all DDS to FBX conversions as quickly as possible, this usually takes around 5 seconds but can be more for larger more complex files so please be patient.
We aim to create the most accurate conversions with our tools. Our tools are under constant development with new features and improvements being added every week.
Yes, of course! We do not store the DDS file you submit to us. The resulting FBX file, once created, is stored for 1 hour after upload; after this time it is deleted, and the short-term download link will stop working. You can create a long-term download Url with most tools that will ensure the file is retained for 24 hours, allowing you to download the file when convenient. Our tools also come with a Delete button, allowing you to delete the file immediately.
No. All our conversion tools process your DDS file on our dedicated conversion servers, meaning you can use our tools on low-spec computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices and receive your converted FBX file quickly.
Yes! Our DDS to FBX tool will run on any system with a modern web browser. No specialist software is needed to run any of our conversion tools.
Yes. Although you can use an Ad Blocker, if you like our DDS conversion tool please consider white-listing our site. When an Ad Blocker is enabled there are some conversion limits on some of our tools and processing/conversion times will be longer.
Yes. When you have converted your DDS to FBX, there is a "Feedback" option that you can use to let us know of any issues you encountered when converting your file.
© 2025 ImageToStl. Convert your PNG and JPG Files to 3D STL files.
