How to Make a 3D Mesh From a Photo

By Eric Benac

A 3D mesh is a useful guides to teaching geometry.
i Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images

3D mesh images are three dimensional renderings of an object that features a lined graph or "mesh" of the image. There are many ways to develop a 3D mesh, including making one in a CAD program by hand. However, many types of graphical software have the capacity of turning two dimensional pictures or images into fully rendered 3D mesh images. Programs that feature this capacity include the Photo to Mesh program developed by Ransen Software and Photoshop, which is produced by Adobe. Each of these types of software uses a slightly different process to render the mesh but all do it well.

Photo to Mesh

Step 1

Save the image you want to use to your desktop to make it easier to find later. Choose a save name appropriate for the image.

Step 2

Purchase and download the full version of Photo to Mesh or download the free version of from the Ransen website. Save it to your desktop to make it easier to find. Run the installation program and install it to the default folder.

Step 3

Open the Photo to Mesh program and select the "Open Image File" option in the upper left corner of the program. Select the desktop option from the left hand side of the "Browse" menu. Select your image from the "Browse" menu and click "OK" to open the image.

Step 4

Adjust the settings of the program by inputting numbers in the text boxes next to the option. Change the mesh size by altering the "Mesh X" and "Mesh Y" size options. Select the shape of the mesh by clicking on the "Mesh" drop-down menu on the bottom right.

Step 5

Preview your mesh using the display on the bottom of the program to see how your options are affecting mesh. Continue changing the options until you have the mesh you want. Click "OK" to automatically generated the mesh. Select "Save Image" from the new menu to save your mesh.

Adobe Photoshop 5.5

Step 1

Purchase and download the full version or download a free trial version of "Adobe Photoshop CS 5.5" from the Adobe website. Download the installation program to the desktop to make it easier to find. Click on the installation program and install it to the default location.

Step 2

Open "Photoshop CS 5.5" and click on the "Open Image" button. Select your image from the "Browse" menu that opens up and select "OK" to load your image to the program.

Step 3

Click on the "Image" option from the top menu and select "Grayscale" to convert your image to "Grayscale" mode. Select "3D" from the top menu and then the "New Mesh From Grayscale" option to begin the conversion process.

Step 4

Click one of the options available for conversion -- plane, two-sided plane, cylinder or sphere. Click on the option to select the shape of your final mesh image.

Step 5

Click the "Convert" button to convert your image to a 3D mesh. Select "File" at the top of the screen and select "Save Image" to save your 3D mesh.

×