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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.

PNG to OBJ Conversion Options

Tool

This setting allows you to specify how your PNG image is converted to an OBJ model. The Extrude options will extrude your image into 3D space, while the Standard options will apply a heightmap process to your image.

For more information about the differences between the Extrude and Heightmap modes and to see some examples, please see our How Does Image to STL Work section below.

Detail

The setting can be used to alter the detail of the final OBJ 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.

Add Base

This setting, when given a height of more than zero, will instruct the tool to add a solid 3D base to the final OBJ model. The selected unit of measurement specifies the height of the base.

Remove Background

When this option is enabled, the tool will automatically attempt to make the background of your image transparent.

Specify Color

Manually specify your image background color rather than our tool trying to automatically work it out.

Color

If the tool is unable to identify the background and you know the background color, you can specify it here.

Tolerance

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.

Invert Output

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.

Units

This setting tells the tool how to size the final 3D model when using the settings below for Width, Height, and Depth settings.

Upload Color Overlay

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.

Color Conversion

This setting instructs the tool on how to interpret the color information of pixels in your image, thereby influencing the creation of the 3D OBJ 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.

Merge Similar Colors

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 PNG image.

Hole Reduction

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 PNG file, which can be useful in situations where the source image has not been optimized for use with the tool.

Transparency Conversion

When your PNG 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.

Enable Smoothing

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.

Z-Axis Mirror

With this option enabled, the tool will mirror the 3D geometry of the generated OBJ model along the Z-axis.

Generate Preview

If you would like the tool to create a 3D preview of your model, then please select this option. It is on by default.

Generate Normals

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.

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)

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

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.

Image to OBJ Frequently Asked Questions

What does this tool do?

Our tool converts image (bitmap) data into 3D geometry, which is then saved to the common OBJ file format.

What files does it support?

The PNG to OBJ 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 OBJ format, which can be used in most 3D graphics applications.

How does the tool interpret the image pixel data?

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.

What does the "Invert Output" option do?

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.

How do I control the Model detail?

The "Detail" option allows you to control the resolution of the created OBJ 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.

What does the "Enable Smoothing" option do?

With this option, the PNG to OBJ converter will attempt to remove or smooth out any spikes in the resulting OBJ 3D model. Spikes are usually caused by highly contrasting adjacent pixels in the source PNG file.

What is the maximum PNG resolution I can upload?

The PNG 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.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

Do I need a high-spec. computer to use the PNG to OBJ converter?

No. All our conversion tools process your PNG 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 OBJ file quickly.

Can I convert my 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.

Can I get support with converting my PNG to OBJ?

Yes. When you have converted your PNG to OBJ, there is a "Feedback" option that you can use to let us know of any issues you encountered when converting your file.

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