Image to Relief
HueForge
Desktop app that turns images into filament paintings using layered color swaps
Image to Relief · 59 generators · 44 free
Image to STL and relief generators
Image to STL generators turn a logo, drawing or photo into a model you can print: a flat extruded logo, a raised relief, a heightmap plaque or a multicolor picture made from stacked filament layers.
Quick picks
- Best for filament painting HueForge The reference tool for layered color wall art (paid).
- Best free filament painting Kromacut Advanced color layering without paying.
- Best quick logo or photo relief ImageToStl Heightmap and extrude modes, free and without an account.
- Best for textures on your own model BumpMesh by CNC Kitchen Adds grip, wood or fabric textures locally in the browser.
The 20 most popular image to STL and relief generators compared
See all 59| Generator | Best for | Price | Account | Exports | Multicolor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HueForge | Serious filament painting and wall art | Paid | Not needed | STL, 3MF | Yes |
| BumpMesh by CNC Kitchen | Adding grip, wood or fabric textures to models you already have | Free | Not needed | STL, 3MF | No |
| ImageToStl | Quick logo plaques and simple reliefs | Free | Not needed | STL, 3MF, OBJ, GLB, FBX | Yes |
| MakerLab Chroma Canvas | First filament paintings on a Bambu Lab printer | Free | Needed | 3MF | Yes |
| MakerLab Relief Sculpture Maker | Photo plaques and pet portraits in one color | Free | Needed | 3MF | No |
| Pixel Puzzle Maker (MakerLab) | Pixel art gifts and family build projects | Free | Needed | 3MF | Yes |
| Filament Painter | Trying filament painting for free | Free | Not needed | STL | Yes |
| Hi3D | Portrait figurines and multi-part figure kits | Freemium | Needed | STL, 3MF, OBJ, GLB, USDZ | Yes |
| Simple Display Stand Parametric | Standing up signs, HueForge prints, cards and phones | Free | Needed | 3MF, STL | No |
| Kromacut | Advanced filament painting without paying | Free | Not needed | STL, 3MF | Yes |
| Mesh Graffiti (MakerLab) | Adding logos, names and artwork to models you already have | Free | Needed | 3MF, GLB | Yes |
| PrintPal | Quick printable files for hobby and Etsy projects | Freemium | Needed | STL, OBJ, GLB, PLY | Yes |
| SculptOK | Photo reliefs, portrait plaques and relief coins | Freemium | Needed | STL, OBJ, GLB, PNG | No |
| Shadowbox Maker (MakerLab) | Layered wall art and picture gifts from your own images | Free | Needed | 3MF | Yes |
| HueForge / Chroma Canvas Custom Frame Generator | Framing HueForge and Chroma Canvas prints | Free | Needed | STL, 3MF | No |
| SVG 2 STL | Quick logo and silhouette extrusions | Free | Not needed | STL | No |
| 3D AI Studio 3D Relief Generator | Photo, pet and logo relief plaques from a single image | Paid | Needed | STL, OBJ | No |
| AutoForge | Automatic color plans for filament paintings | Free | Not needed | STL, PNG | Yes |
| Bekuto 3D | Multi-color prints of logos and icons from SVG files | Free | Not needed | STL, 3MF | Yes |
| ColorStack | Browser-based multicolor art prints | Freemium | Not needed | STL, 3MF | Yes |
All 59 image to STL and relief generators
Image to Relief
BumpMesh by CNC Kitchen
Adds knurling, wood grain, weave or your own image as real texture to any STL
Image to Relief
ImageToStl
Free online converter that turns PNG or JPG images into heightmap or extruded STL
Image to Relief
MakerLab Chroma Canvas
Bambu Lab's free browser tool for HueForge-style filament paintings from any image
Image to Relief
MakerLab Relief Sculpture Maker
AI tool that turns photos or 3D models into printable bas-relief plaques
Image to Relief
Filament Painter
Free browser-based HueForge alternative for layered filament paintings
Image to Relief
Kromacut
Free open-source image to color-layer print tool with auto-paint and 3MF export
Image to Relief
Mesh Graffiti (MakerLab)
Paint colors, text and logos onto the surface of your own STL or 3MF model
Image to Relief
SculptOK
AI turns a photo into a depth map, then into a relief or lithophane STL to print
Image to Relief
Shadowbox Maker (MakerLab)
Turns a flat image into stacked cut-out layers for a framed 3D shadowbox
Image to Relief
3D AI Studio 3D Relief Generator
Turns one photo into a raised relief plaque using an AI depth map, with STL or OBJ export on paid plans
Image to Relief
AutoForge
Open-source optimizer that picks filament colors and swap layers for a HueForge-style picture print
Image to Relief
Bekuto 3D
Turn SVG logos and simple images into layered, multi-color 3D models in your browser
Image to Relief
ColorStack
Browser filament painting with 3MF export, plus flat multicolor and image to STL
Image to Relief
Mesh Texture
Presses grip, wood, hexagon or your own image patterns into chosen faces of an STL
Image to Relief
Meshy 3D Relief Generator
Turns a picture into a printable relief plaque or casting mold, right in your browser
Image to Relief
PlakHäus
Turn images and patterns into printable relief wall panels and matching casting molds
Image to Relief
PrintPal Filament Painter
Free browser filament painter that splits an image into up to 8 color layers, exported as OBJ or STL
Image to Relief
Tripo AI 3D Relief Generator
Turns a photo or logo into a raised relief panel via an AI height map, as STL or OBJ
Image to Relief
Vecto3d
Free SVG logo to 3D tool with depth, bevel and materials, exporting STL, GLB, PNG or video, no account
Image to Relief
Badge Generator (SVG to 3D)
Free browser tool that turns an SVG logo into a raised badge or magnet, single or multicolor, as STL or color 3MF
Image to Relief
BeadRelief
Turns an image into a bead-style pixel relief and a multicolor 3MF for Bambu AMS printers
Image to Relief
Caustic Lens Generator (Yunyi Zhu)
Free browser tool that turns a grayscale image into a clear lens that projects it in sunlight, as OBJ
Image to Relief
Cylinder Seal Studio
Free, open-source tool that wraps a black-and-white image around a cylinder as a relief roller or seal STL
Image to Relief
Glintmake Image to STL Converter
Turn a PNG or JPG into a relief, an extruded logo or a lithophane STL, built in your browser
Image to Relief
Image Online Image to STL
Free image to STL relief, lithophane or extruded logo, made in your browser with no upload or account
Image to Relief
Image2STL
Free image to STL in your browser: relief, lithophane, silhouette cutout or SVG extrusion, no account
Image to Relief
ImageTo3DLab
Logos and photos as layered multicolor 3MF for an AMS, plus free in-browser 3MF and STL converters
Image to Relief
Magnet Maker 3D
Turn an SVG or image into a multicolor 3MF fridge magnet with sealed magnet pockets
Image to Relief
MakerTools3D
Turns PNG and JPG images into multicolor 3MF plates, keychains and decals
Image to Relief
MeshColor
Paints color textures, logos and text onto your own model and exports a multicolor 3MF
Image to Relief
QuickSTL Image to STL
Free browser converters for photo lithophanes, relief coins, SVG logos and heightmap terrain
Image to Relief
Spectrum Forge
Photo to a four-filament color 3MF in HueForge-style, toolchanger paint or backlit litho mode; first export free
Image to Relief
STL Splitter Image to STL
Free browser tool that turns a picture into a watertight relief or lithophane STL
Image to Relief
STONE PANEL 2.0 (AV_Creator)
Paid downloadable HTML generator for stone-textured relief panels in any size, exported as STL
Image to Relief
Tessera
Free browser tool that tiles a wall with printable relief tiles, edge pieces cut to fit
Image to Relief
Tinting Voxel
Free filament painting from a photo, pixel art or logo, mixing 4 to 16 of your filaments, as 3MF or STL, no account
Puzzles & Games
Pixel Puzzle Maker (MakerLab)
Turn any image into a color-coded pixel art puzzle to print and assemble
Storage
Simple Display Stand Parametric
Easel-style display stands sized to fit a coin, a phone, a book or a HueForge print
Gifts
HueForge / Chroma Canvas Custom Frame Generator
Press-fit frames sized to your HueForge or Chroma Canvas print, with hooks and stands
Puzzles & Games
Flexifier
Turn a simple image into a print-in-place flexi toy with hinges or ball joints
Lithophanes
PIXEstL
Free Java program that makes full-color lithophanes and pixel art from your filament palette
Puzzles & Games
TanskyLab
Photo jigsaw puzzles as a multicolor 3MF with layer color changes set; free account, 2 puzzles a month
Signs & Text
ColorPlate
Free logo to multicolor plate: one STL per color plus a backing plate, or a filament-swap version, no account
AI to 3D
ImageToSTL (imagetostl.im)
AI photo to textured 3D model as STL, GLB or OBJ, with a free daily credit and free relief and format tools
Customizers
Modelador 3D GeoPanel3D
Free decorative wall relief with one continuous pattern, split into numbered modules that fit your bed
Mechanical Parts
Modelador 3D Paper Embossing Roller Generator
Free kit for a hand-cranked paper embossing roller with your text, logo or motif on matched rolls
Customizers
Modelador 3D STL Texturizer
Free in-browser tool that adds 38 real relief textures, or your own image or text, to an STL you already have
Puzzles & Games
Obloid Photo Puzzle Generator
Turns a photo into an interlocking multicolor jigsaw, exported as AMS-ready 3MF or STL
Lithophanes
Omnvert 3D printing tools
Lithophane maker with small adaptive STL files (1 free a day), plus free image-to-STL and QR-to-STL tools
Lithophanes
PixelSculpt
Free lithophane and color lithophane maker with filament TD layers and a swap schedule, STL, in your browser
Customizers
PrintNexus
Free hub of browser generators for trays, screw-top jars, QR tags, photo reliefs and 3D maps, as STL or 3MF
Lithophanes
PTP Create Color Lithophane Creator
Turns a photo into a full-color CMYK lithophane for multi-material printers
Vases & Lamps
Shadecaster
Free shadow lamp dome that throws your uploaded silhouette onto the wall over a tea light, as STL
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About image to STL and relief generators
This category covers SVG and image to STL converters, relief makers and filament-painting apps such as HueForge.
For a logo or silhouette, a converter is usually enough. SVG 2 STL extrudes a vector file to a set height, and ImageToStl traces a PNG or JPG into solid shapes or turns its brightness into a heightmap, free and without an account. For photos, Embossify makes a simple embossed surface, and MakerLab Relief Sculpture Maker uses AI depth estimation to turn a pet or a face into a bas-relief that looks carved when light falls on the front.
Filament painting is the colorful end of the category. HueForge, Kromacut, Filament Painter, ColorStack and MakerLab Chroma Canvas stack thin layers of different filaments so the colors blend into shading. You need several filament colors and a printer that can pause for a manual swap or change filament on its own.
PlakHäus is the odd one out: it makes tiling relief wall panels, plus the molds to cast them in plaster or concrete.
Image to Relief: what to buy
The generator does the design. These materials make the print look as good as the preview.
Multicolor PLA and color sets
Dual- and tri-color silks give a single-nozzle printer color shifts with no extra hardware, and a matched color set is what lets HueForge and color lithophanes blend thin layers into a full image.
- Bambu Lab PLA Silk Multi-Color (affiliate link) Co-extruded dual and tri colors that shift with the viewing angle; great for keychains and name tags.
- SUNLU Multi-Color Silk PLA (dual/tri/four-color) (affiliate link) Budget dual-, tri- and four-color silk for colorful prints without an AMS. In Europe? Buy from 3DJake (affiliate link)
- Bambu Lab PLA CMYK Lithophane Bundle (affiliate link) Four 1 kg spools (cyan, magenta, yellow, white) made for color lithophanes and handy for HueForge-style layering.
Matte PLA that hides layer lines
Matte filament hides layer lines and cuts glare, so raised lettering on signs and nameplates stays readable from any angle and a drawer full of bins looks uniform.
- Bambu Lab PLA Matte (affiliate link) Wide color range with AMS-ready RFID, ideal for multi-color signs.
- Polymaker Panchroma Matte PLA (formerly PolyTerra) (affiliate link) The former PolyTerra line under a new name: soft matte look and good value for printing Gridfinity in bulk. In Europe? Buy from 3DJake (affiliate link)
Code gives 15% off your first order at Polymaker.
- SUNLU Matte PLA (affiliate link) Low-cost matte option for large batches of bins and baseplates. In Europe? Buy from 3DJake (affiliate link)
Multicolor filament systems
An automatic filament changer prints multi-color signs, keychains and HueForge pieces without you standing by to swap filament at every color layer.
- Bambu Lab AMS lite (affiliate link) Four-spool open unit for the A1 series; the cheapest way into Bambu multicolor.
- Bambu Lab AMS 2 Pro (affiliate link) Enclosed four-spool unit with built-in filament drying for Bambu's enclosed printers.
- Creality CFS (Creality Filament System) (affiliate link) Creality's multicolor unit for K2-series printers; expands to 16 colors with RFID and moisture-proof storage.
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about that
Image to Relief: common questions
How do I convert an image to STL?
Upload it to a converter and choose how the picture becomes height. ImageToStl is free with no account: heightmap mode raises light areas into a relief, and extrude mode traces a logo into solid shapes. For photos of faces or pets, MakerLab Relief Sculpture Maker uses AI depth estimation, and Embossify turns a JPEG into an embossed surface.
How do I turn an SVG logo into an STL?
Extrude it to a fixed height. SVG 2 STL does this free with no account, but it keeps uploads and results for at least a week and anyone with the link can view them. For private artwork, ImageToStl's SVG to STL converter does not store your SVG and deletes the STL after four hours.
What is the difference between a relief, a lithophane and a filament painting?
The difference is how the picture shows. A relief is lit from the front, so its depth casts shadows, as with MakerLab Relief Sculpture Maker. A lithophane is lit from behind, and the photo appears through thin and thick areas. A filament painting, made with HueForge or Kromacut, stacks thin colored layers that blend into a picture.
Guides for this category
- Free HueForge Alternatives (2026): Filament Painting Tools
- HueForge vs Chroma Canvas: Price, Licenses and Printers
- Best Image to STL Converters: Relief, Logo or Real 3D?
- Best SVG to STL Converters: Turn a Logo into a 3D Print
- Meshy vs Tripo for 3D Printing: Free Plans and Formats
- Best Board Game Insert, Dice and Puzzle Generators
- Best Free Lithophane Generators (2026): Photo to STL
- Best AI Image & Text to 3D Generators for Printing (2026)
- 18 Personalized 3D Printed Gifts You Can Make Without CAD
Related categories
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