PhotoSTL

photostl.com · image to STL · image to 3D for makers

Image to STL & image to 3D for makers

Upload a JPG, PNG or WebP, pick a print recipe, and get a millimeter-scaled STL or 3MF in about 30 seconds. Your first draft is free and needs no account — sign in to download it and unlock 30 more credits (≈3 drafts).

Convert image to STLView plans

First draft free, no sign-up. Sign in to download STL — 30 free credits (≈3 drafts) when you sign in (Google or magic link), no card required.

Upload an image

Sign in · 30 free credits

Print recipe

60 mm default

General object — Image to STL draft — any clear subject. One complete object, centered, plain background.

Uses 10 credits (≈1 draft) when conversion starts. Download STL/3MF when the mesh looks right. Plans & credits.

3D preview

Your mesh
appears here

Convert an image, orbit the mesh, then download STL or 3MF for your slicer.

Image to STL converter & image to 3D for makers

Looking for an image to STL converter, a free image to STL trial, image to 3D without installing CAD, or a png / jpg to STL path for printing? PhotoSTL is built for that maker job: one image in, a print recipe (general object, pet bust, or logo relief), a printable mesh draft in about 30 seconds, then STL or 3MF in millimeters for your slicer. Hobby starts at $9 for 1,500 credits (~$0.06 per draft at today’s rate on our price list). Credit-based plans stay fair when upstream costs move. We list our own prices and typical timing; we do not claim to beat every competitor on cost or speed.

  • Image to STL — download mm-scaled STL/3MF, then finish walls and supports in your slicer.
  • Image to 3D — upload → generate → preview typically about 30 seconds (varies with queue).
  • Free trial — 30 credits (≈3 drafts) after sign-in; Hobby near $0.06/draft at today’s rate on our price list.
  • Print recipes — general object, pet bust, logo relief, miniature, jewelry / charm, product prop, architecture.
  • Browser-only — no CAD install and no text-to-3D game pipeline; still verify walls in your slicer.
SpecValueSource
Input1 image (JPG / PNG / WebP)Product
Hobby plan (entry paid)$9 / 1,500 credits / month (~$0.06/draft at today’s rate)PhotoSTL pricing
Typical speedAbout 30 seconds per draftProduct UI
Print recipesGeneral · Pet · Logo · Miniature · Jewelry · Product · ArchitectureProduct
Export todaySTL + 3MF (mm print draft) · raw GLBKhronos glTF / GLB
Draft readinessAdvisory tips · download anytime · free regenerate if mesh incompleteProduct

FAQ

What is an image to STL converter?

An image to STL converter turns a 2D photo or picture into a 3D mesh you can download as STL for a slicer. PhotoSTL on photostl.com is a browser-only image to STL / image to 3D path for makers: upload JPG/PNG/WebP, pick a print recipe (general object, pet bust, or logo relief), generate, then download STL or 3MF in millimeters (raw GLB for preview).

Is there a free image to STL / image to 3D trial?

Yes, and the first step needs no account. Open photostl.com, upload one image, pick a print recipe and generate — the draft appears in the browser viewer with its measured size, without signing in. To download the STL or 3MF (and to keep the draft in your history), sign in with Google (One Tap or OAuth) or a magic-link email; new accounts get 30 free credits (≈3 drafts at today’s rate), no card required. Trial credits are one-time and separate from paid monthly credits.

How does image to 3D work on PhotoSTL?

Open photostl.com, choose a print recipe, upload one clear image, and generate — no sign-in needed for the first draft. A typical image to 3D draft finishes in about 30 seconds; then you orbit the mesh and, once signed in, download STL or 3MF for your slicer. Timing varies with queue and image; we list our own timing, not a multi-tool race table.

Image to STL vs photo to STL — is PhotoSTL both?

Yes. Searchers say image to STL or photo to STL for the same maker job. PhotoSTL is built as an image to STL converter first (high-intent printing export), with image to 3D preview via GLB. Brand domain photostl.com still matches photo to STL, but the product copy leads on image to STL / image to 3D.

Which print recipe should I use for image to STL?

Start with general object for most subjects (scale by longest side). Pet bust for memorials (~80 mm). Logo relief for badges/stamps. Miniature for tabletop figurines (~32 mm). Jewelry / charm for pendants and keychains. Product prop for e-commerce shots. Architecture for buildings and landmarks. All recipes feed the same STL/3MF export path.

Can I turn a pet photo into a 3D printable bust?

Yes — choose the pet bust print recipe on photostl.com. It targets a figurine / memorial draft: default height around 80 mm, flattened to the print bed, with slicer hollow hints. The first draft runs without an account; sign in to download STL or 3MF.

Can I convert a logo image to STL or a relief for printing?

Yes — use the logo relief recipe for badges, stamps, and coasters. PhotoSTL scales thickness in millimeters, flattens the back, and can add a thin base plate before STL/3MF download. High-contrast logos on a plain background work best.

Can I make a miniature or jewelry charm from a photo?

Yes. Use the Miniature recipe for tabletop / RPG-scale figurines (default ~32 mm), or Jewelry / charm for pendants and keychains (small scale + base plate). Dedicated pages: photostl.com/miniature-from-photo and photostl.com/jewelry-from-photo.

Can I turn a product photo or building photo into STL?

Yes. Product prop is for e-commerce / product shots; Architecture is for buildings and landmarks. Both export millimeter STL/3MF after image to 3D. See photostl.com/product-photo-to-3d.

Does PhotoSTL export 3MF as well as STL?

Yes. After generation you can download print-prepared STL or 3MF (unit = millimeter) for most slicers, plus raw GLB for browser preview. Prefer STL/3MF when your next step is slicing; use GLB when you only need to orbit the mesh.

What is draft readiness — can I still download if there are tips?

Yes. After each draft, PhotoSTL shows advisory size and mesh tips. Warnings do not block download — export STL/3MF anytime and finish walls/supports in your slicer. A free regenerate is offered only when the mesh looks incomplete (very few triangles or catastrophic holes), not for normal image-to-3D open edges.

What images work best for image to 3D / image to STL?

One centered subject, plain background, even lighting. For pet busts use a clear face or side profile; for logo relief use high-contrast artwork; for general object show the whole item with space around thin parts. Busy scenes and heavy blur reduce mesh quality.

Do I need CAD software for PhotoSTL?

No. Image to 3D generation, print recipes, and STL/3MF export run in the browser on photostl.com — aimed at makers who need a print draft, not a full CAD suite.

When is a draft deducted from my balance?

One draft (10 credits) is used when generation starts — then you can download STL/3MF as many times as you like at that size. Order of use: active subscription monthly quota, then free trial drafts, then permanent credit packs. A free regenerate is offered only when the mesh looks incomplete; it does not debit credits. Unused monthly quota does not roll over.

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