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Convert your 2D PNG image file to a 3D Wavefront OBJ model

Use our free and fast online tool to convert your PNG image or logo into a 3D Wavefront OBJ model file suitable for loading into your favorite 3D editing package. To convert your image, simply click the Upload a file... button and select your image. Once selected, you will be able to set various options to control the size of the generated 3D model before submitting to receive your final Wavefront OBJ file.

How to Convert your PNG to OBJ Online?

Here are three simple steps to create an OBJ file from a PNG file.

Upload a PNG

Click the "Upload a File" button and select PNG to upload. The maximum file size is 100MB.

Select your Options

Set the dimensions and other options, and click the "Convert to OBJ" button to convert your PNG to OBJ.

Download your OBJ

Click the download link once completed to receive your OBJ file.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I convert my PNG file to OBJ?

First click the "Upload..." button, select your PNG file to upload. Select any configuration options. When the PNG to OBJ conversion has completed, you can download your OBJ file straight away.

How long does it take to convert my PNG to OBJ?

We aim to process all PNG to OBJ conversions as quickly as possible, this usually takes around 5 seconds but can be more for larger more complex files so please be patient.

How accurate is the PNG to OBJ conversion?

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.

Is it safe to convert my PNG to OBJ on ImageToStl.com?

Yes, of course! We do not store the PNG file you submit to us. The resulting OBJ file, once created is deleted 15 minutes after upload and the download link will expire after this time.

Can I convert PNG to OBJ on Windows, Linux, Android, iOS or Mac OS?

Yes! Our PNG to OBJ tool will run on any system with a modern web browser. No specialist software is needed to run any of our conversion tools.

What if I am using an Ad Blocker, will that affect things?

Yes. Although you can use an Ad Blocker, if you like our PNG 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.

What is the maximum PNG image resolution I can upload?

The PNG image you upload can be any size, however our tool will resize it to a maximum of 800x800 pixels for normal users and for premium subscription holders this is increased to a maximum of 1200x1200 pixels.

Will the OBJ file retain the textures from my PNG file?

Yes! If your PNG file contains textured geometry, the texture image files along with the texture coordinates (UV data) will be exported with the final OBJ file.

Comparing PNG and OBJ Features

 

PNG Features

  • Supports Lossy Compression
  • Supports Non Lossy Compression
  • Supports Transparency
  • Supports Color Palettes
  • Supports Monochrome (1-Bit)
  • Supports 16 Colors (4-Bit)
  • Supports 256 Colors (8-Bit)
  • Supports 16 Million Colors (24-Bit)

OBJ Features

  • Mesh Geometry (Vertices and Faces)
  • Vertex Normals
  • Face Normals
  • Vertex Colors
  • Face Materials (Excluding textures)
  • Textures
  • Point Cloud
  • Multiple Objects Per File
  • Object Transforms (Translation, Rotation, and Scale)
  • Bones/Joints
  • Animations
  • Suitable for 3D Printing

File Format Information for PNG to OBJ

ExtensionPNG
Full NamePortable Network Graphics
TypeImage
Mime Typeimage/png
FormatBinary
ToolsPNG Converters, Create Cookie Cutter, PNG Viewer
Open WithPaint.NET, Photoshop

Description

The PNG graphics file format is a commonly used format for storing 2D images, which can be highly compressed by the use of a palette if the image has a sufficiently low number of colors (256 colors in general). The PNG file is then further compressed using the DEFLATE compression algorithm to ensure small file sizes that are fast to download.

PNG files are seen as the logical successor to the GIF image file format and was devised in the mid-1990s as a superior format to GIF. PNG files are generally used for company logos, icons, and other non-photographic image content. Saving a digital photo in the PNG format will create a much larger file than an equivalent JPG image, hence the PNG format being unsuitable for most digital photo content.

Description

The OBJ file format, originally created by Wavefront Technologies and later adopted by many other 3D software vendors, is a simple text-based file format for describing 3D models/geometry. This data can include vertices, faces, normals, texture coordinates, and references to external texture files.

As the format is text-based, it is relatively straightforward to parse in 3D modeling applications. A downside of the text-based format is that the files can be rather large compared to similar binary formats such as STL and compressed files such as 3MF.

OBJ Notes

Our tool will save any material and texture files separately; these additional files will be included with your final OBJ file at the time of download.

Supported Features

  • Mesh geometry
  • Materials (Via an MTL file)
  • Textures (PNG, JPG, TGA formats)

PNG 2D to 3D OBJ, How Does It Work?

Standard Mode (Heightmap)

In Standard mode, our tool examines your 2D PNG image and, based on the luminosity of each pixel, creates a corresponding "3D" pixel where the height of the pixel is determined by the pixel luminosity. A black pixel in your PNG 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 tool has an Invert Output option if you wish to reverse the model height calculations in your Wavefront OBJ file. When this option is selected, a white pixel will have a height of 0 mm, and a black pixel will have the height you have specified. This mode is ideal for the conversion of detailed heightmap images into 3D OBJ models.

Extrude Mode

In Extrude mode, our PNG tool behaves in a similar way to Standard mode, except the tool attempts to find simple shapes in your image and 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). We also have another version of this tool aimed at extruding images into color 3D models, this is only available in 3D file formats that support color, such as 3MF.

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