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Convert PNG to STL for free

Use our free and fast PNG to STL online tool to convert your PNG image or logo into a 3D STL model file suitable for printing with a 3D printer or 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.

Click on the "Upload a file" button above to begin. Your PNG image or heightmap should fit within 800 x 800 pixels; if it is larger than this, the image will be resized accordingly. Once you submit your image, it will be processed as quickly as possible. More complicated images may take longer than others, so please be patient. For more information about how your image is converted into the final 3D model Please see the section below: How Does It Work?.

How to Convert your PNG to STL Online?

Here are three simple steps to create an STL 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 STL" button to convert your PNG to STL.

Download your STL

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

Image to STL Frequently Asked Questions

What does this tool do?

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

What files does it support?

The PNG to STL 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 STL 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 STL 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 STL converter will attempt to remove or smooth out any spikes in the resulting STL 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 800x800 pixels for normal users, and for premium subscription holders, this is increased to a maximum of 1200x1200 pixels.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

How can I convert my PNG file to STL?

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

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

We aim to process all PNG to STL 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 STL 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 STL on ImageToStl.com?

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

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

Yes! Our PNG to STL 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 an STL file?

The STL file format describes an unstructured triangulated surface of the triangles using a 3D Cartesian coordinate system. STL files do not contain any scale information, and the units are arbitrary. We have a more detailed description of an STL file here.

What STL formats can I convert to?

Our tool will save all STL files in binary format. Optionally, our tool will allow you to save to the non-standard color STL format.

Comparing PNG and STL 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)

STL 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 STL

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.

ExtensionSTL
Full NameStandard Triangle Language
Type3D Model
Mime Typeapplication/vnd.ms-pki.stl
FormatText & Binary
ToolsSTL Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create STL Animation, Compress STL, Text to STL, STL Viewer
Open WithBlender, 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, 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 the 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 that supports these formats.

Supported Features

  • Mesh geometry
  • Face colors via the VisCAM and SolidView formats
  • Binary and text versions are supported

Converting Your PNG File for 3D Printing

Software used to prepare a 3D model file for printing, which is also known as 3D slicer software, cannot directly 3D print image files such as PNG. This is due to the fact that slicing software is designed for use with 3D models rather than flat 2D images.

A Pokémon coin image in grayscale

A Pokémon coin image in grayscale

The Pokémon coin extruded to a 3D STL model

The Pokémon coin extruded to a 3D STL model

The 3D printed Pokémon coin

The 3D printed Pokémon coin

Slicer software can, however, handle files formatted to the STL standard. This is because the STL format was specifically designed as a medium of storage and exchange for 3D printable models. Our PNG to STL conversion tool will first create either a heightmap or an extruded 3D model from your PNG image file. This 3D model can then be loaded into your slicer software and sent to your 3D printer for printing.

PNG 2D to 3D STL, 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. 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 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 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). We also have another version of this tool aimed at extruding images to color 3D models; this is only available to 3D file formats that support color, such as 3MF.

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