Converting JPG to STL, How Does It Work?
Standard Mode (Heightmap)
In Standard mode our tool examines your JPG image file and based on the luminosity of each pixel, will create a corresponding "3D" pixel where the height of the pixel is determined by the pixel luminosity. A black pixel in your JPG will have a height of 0mm and not be included in the final 3D generated model, however a white pixel will have a height that you specify once your image is uploaded. the JPG tool has a Invert Output option if you wish to reverse the model height calculations. When this option is selected a white pixel will have a height of 0mm and a black pixel will have the height you have specified. This mode is ideal for the conversion of detailed heightmap images into 3D models.
Extrude Mode
In Extrude mode our tool behaves in a similar way to Standard mode except the tool attempts to find simple shapes in your image and it performs an Extrude operation on any shape found. The height of the extruded shape is again based on the pixel luminosity. This mode is ideal for simple images such as logos and other simple shapes such as coins (see our Coin examples in the library tab).
File format information for JPG to STL
| Extension | JPG |
| Full Name | Joint Photographic Experts Group |
| Type | Image |
| Mime Type | image/jpeg |
| Format | Binary |
| Tools | JPG Converters, Create Cookie Cutter, View JPG |
| Open With | Paint.NET, Photoshop |
Description
The JPG file format is a popular image format most commonly used for the storage of digital photographs. The format implements a lossy-compression technology that allows for high levels of file compression with little perceptible loss of image quality making it an ideal format for photographs.
This format is one of the most used formats on the internet today with its small file sizes making it ideal for website images. Although there are newer image formats that may offer higher compression and quality the JPG is still and ideal format for digital photos.
| Extension | STL |
| Full Name | Standard Triangle Language |
| Type | 3D Model |
| Mime Type | application/vnd.ms-pki.stl |
| Format | Text & Binary |
| Tools | STL Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create STL Animation, Text to STL, View STL |
| Open With | Blender, DAZ Studio, MeshLab, CAD Assistant |
Description
The STL file format has its roots in the 1980's and is the native file format for 3D Systems stereolithography CAD software. The format defines a triangulated mesh with vertices and faces and is a popular format for sharing 3D printable model files.
There were several formats that attempted to extend the STL format namely SolidView and VisCAM whose formats included limited 15-bit color information for each mesh face which is often ignored by most modern 3D software. The STL format can be either Text or Binary, our tools will support both formats.
STL Notes
The standard STL file format does not support colored faces or vertices or texture information. The STL file generated by the tool will contain only raw mesh/triangle data by default which is perfect for 3D printing.
The tool also has an option to save the file to one of the non-standard formats that support colored faces such as VisCAM and SolidView which is perfect if you want to further process the STL in software which supports these formats.
Supported Features
- Mesh geometry
- Face colors via the VisCAM and SolidView formats
- Binary and Text versions supported
