Convert your 2D PNG image file to a 3D 3MF model

How to Convert your PNG to 3MF Online?

Here are three simple steps to create an 3MF 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 3MF" button to convert your PNG to 3MF.

Download your 3MF

Click the download link once completed to receive your 3MF file.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I convert my PNG file to 3MF?

First click the "Upload..." button, select your PNG file to upload. Select any configuration options. When the PNG to 3MF conversion has completed, you can download your 3MF file straight away.

How long does it take to convert my PNG to 3MF?

We aim to process all PNG to 3MF 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 3MF 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 3MF on ImageToStl.com?

Yes, of course! We do not store the PNG file you submit to us. The resulting 3MF file, once created is deleted 15 minutes after upload and the download link will expire after this time.

Can I convert PNG to 3MF on Windows, Linux, Android, iOS or Mac OS?

Yes! Our PNG to 3MF 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.

Comparing PNG and 3MF 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)

3MF 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 3MF

Extension	PNG
Full Name	Portable Network Graphics
Type	Image
Mime Type	image/png
Format	Binary
Tools	PNG Converters, Create Cookie Cutter, PNG Viewer
Open With	Paint.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.

Extension	3MF
Full Name	3D Manufacturing Format
Type	3D Model
Mime Type	application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml
Format	Binary
Tools	3MF Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create 3MF Animation, Compress 3MF, 3MF Asset Extractor, Text to 3MF, 3MF Viewer

Description

3MF files are a modern 3D file format designed specifically for use with 3D printable models (additive manufacturing). It was designed to be the successor to the popular legacy STL format (also a common format in 3D printing) to overcome the limitations of that format.

The format of 3MF files is XML-based and compressed with standard Zip file compression, resulting in small, easily transferable files. The format supports 3D meshes along with associated materials and textures, all contained within the Zip file.

3MF Notes

3MF files support material and color information. If your uploaded model contains color information, our tool will attempt to save this in the 3MF file at the end of the conversion process. Textures are supported and will be included in the final 3MF file.

Supported Features

Mesh geometry
Face and vertex colors
Textures

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

The Pokémon coin extruded to a 3D 3MF model

The 3D printed Pokémon coin

Slicer software can, however, handle files formatted to the 3MF standard. This is because the 3MF format was specifically designed as a medium of storage and exchange for 3D printable models. Our PNG to 3MF 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 3MF, 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 generated 3MF model; however, a white pixel will have a height that you specify once your PNG is uploaded. The tool has a useful option, Invert Output which will 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 to 3MF 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 offers superior quality compared to Standard mode and is ideal for simple images such as logos and other simple shapes such as coins (see our Pokécoin example in the library tab).

In Extrude Color mode, our PNG to 3MF tool behaves in a similar way to Extrude mode, except the tool does not vary the height of the 3D-generated 3MF model based on the pixel luminosity; rather, it transfers the pixel color directly to the generated 3D model, allowing for color logos to be generated (see our Olympic logo example in the library tab).