Meshy Image to 3D allows you to generate highly detailed 3D objects from all kinds of 2D images, including concept art, product photos, digital art, AI-generated images, and even hand-sketched doodles!
When should I use Image to 3D instead of Text to 3D?
Image to 3D is Meshy's most powerful workflow. It shines when you need high level control over specific shapes and visual details, or to create many themed models at once with the same unique visual style.
Image to 3D gives you total artistic control over your model! - We recommend using our AI helper to create an AI Image generated with text prompt, then use Nano Banana to modify the image iteratively within the helper until satisfied, before generating your model from your final AI image.
Text to 3D is better suited to brainstorming ideas rapidly, when you don't need something exactly as you imagine it.
Step-by-Step Guide on Using Image to 3D
Go to workspace at https://www.meshy.ai/workspace and select "Image to 3D" from the dropdown menu.
Click to upload, or drag and drop your start image into the slot to begin. Support file formats are: .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .webp. Max size: 20mb.
Upload a clear, front or angle-view image, showing as many visual details as possible for the model you wish to generate.
💡Tip: We recommend starting with an image with a plain background, or selecting "Remove background" via the button when mousing over the image.
Next, select which version of Meshy you would like to generate with. "Standard" Is our high poly, high detail mode. "Low Poly" is a lower poly mode with intelligent topology designed for game development and animation use-cases in mind.
Tip: Free users may generate with all versions of Meshy, but can only download legacy version models on a free plan.
Tip: Meshy 5 creates 4 draft models - select your preferred model to generate from.
Optionally - If you need your humanoid character model to be posed for rigging and animation, you can toggle on "Pose" in this menu and select either A-Pose or T-pose.
💡Tip: You can also select "Custom" to upload a reference image to copy the pose from for your character model. Full guide here!
Once ready, select "Generate" - your model will begin generating on the right, in the assets section.
Once generated, you can examine your model in the viewer by rotating it - check the mesh for any issues. If you find any small quality details (e.g. an extra finger, mesh gaps, or misshapen details), consider selecting "Free Retry". This is a paid feature which may fix small errors due to the randomized nature of our model generation.
If you're unable to get a satisfactory result, consider checking the tips below at the bottom of this article.
Once satisfied, If using your model for 3D printing or if you don't require a texture, it's possible to now download your model by clicking the download button below. We recommend .STL or .3MF for 3D prints.
💡Tip: It's also possible to print in color! Or add a base to your model. You can find these options below the model in the viewer by clicking "Print". See tips for 3D printing with Meshy here.
If you do require a texture, select the "Texture" button below the model in the viewer. This will take you to the Texture panel in our workspace. By default, the original image used to generate the mesh will be auto-filled to be used to generate the texture.
Click "Texture" to generate a new textured model. Note that texturing is its own optional step with its own credit cost.
💡Tip: if your texture has some AI defects, it's often possible to fix them with our AI texture edit feature
💡Tip: Try our prompt helper in the texture section
Your model is now ready to download in your preferred file format!
💡Tip: You can also select "Remesh" to decrease the poly count. Note that it is usually recommended to do this before the texturing stage for the best texture UV alignment result.
💡Tip: You can also now select "Animate" tab on the left of the window, to auto-rig and add animations to your T or A posed character.
✅ Recommended Inputs for Meshy Image to 3D
Single, clearly defined object in the image
Front-facing, or angle facing view (Whichever shows the most total shape/geometry detail for the model).
Plain, white, or simple background — try the Meshy background remover!
High-resolution image (ideally over 1040x1040px)
Well-lit, clean, and sharp visuals — avoid blurs or muddy detail, or low-contrasting details.
💡Tip: You can use our AI image tool via the prompt helper to edit and prepare your images prior to putting them into Image to 3D. Try adding new visual details, adjusting view angle and style with it!
⚠️ Things to Avoid
Too much text in the image — can confuse the model. Meshy 6 currently supports simple text as a surface texture only, not in mesh details.
Multiple objects — focus on one subject per image. Detail level is spread over the entire model mesh!
Complex or busy backgrounds — distract from the main subject
Low resolution — avoid anything under 1040x1040px
Blurry or unclear objects — clarity is key for clean 3D results
Long hair or very fine, thin details — may not generate accurately
Environmental FX — like smoke, fog, or particles that obscure the object
Weak object/background contrast — aim for clear separation
Any image that violates the Meshy Acceptable Use Policy
🌟 Tips for best Results
Use well-lit, high-quality images with visible detail and depth cues
AI is far more likely to hallucinate when key details are obscured, for example, if part of a hand is hiding several fingers. Try to ensure as many key details are visible as possible in your start image.
If the image isn’t ideal, clean it up first using AI image gen — clarity makes a huge difference
Generate multiple versions and retry often — each output can vary, and one may surprise you
If you require a very high detail mesh, consider separating your model into parts using AI image gen first and recombining them later in blender. Example - A character head bust, and body as separate generations.
Experiment often — small tweaks can yield big improvements!
For extra tips and advice specific to your workflow needs, feel free to ask in the Meshy Discord Community