JPG to STL converter
Make a photo relief from any JPG. Smoothing keeps camera noise out of the print.
What it does
A JPG to STL converter turns a photograph into a height map, where brighter pixels are raised higher, and saves it as a printable STL relief. Photos carry noise and compression artefacts that a printer would reproduce as bumps, so the converter smooths the image first and keeps the relief shallow, which gives soft, readable portraits of people, pets and places.
How to use it
- Drop a photo
JPG straight from a phone or camera is fine. Crop close to the subject for more detail.
- Adjust smoothing and depth
Raise smoothing if the preview looks grainy. Keep the relief between 2 and 4 mm for portraits.
- Download
Save the STL or 3MF at the width you set.
Examples
Phone photo, 120 mm wide
120 × 90 mm relief, 3 mm deep on a 2 mm base
Limits and notes
- Faces in group photos become small at plaque sizes; crop to one or two people for a recognisable result.
More about the JPG to STL
Side lighting brings out a photo relief. Print in white or light grey PLA and hang it where light comes from one side.
Frequently asked questions
Should I make a relief or a lithophane from a photo?
A relief reads best with light falling across it. A lithophane shows the photo when lit from behind, which suits portraits and night lights.
Is the photo uploaded?
No. It is processed in your browser.