PNG to STL Converter
Convert flat .PNG images to detailed .STL mesh models, adjust depth and scale, and get them ready for 3D printing in one app.
- Windows, macOS, Linux
Building a mesh from an image needs Image to Distance Map and Distance Map to Mesh, which require a paid plan.
How to convert PNG to STL
Make a height map
Run Image to Distance Map and pick the .png image: the brightness of each pixel becomes a height.
Build the mesh
Run Distance Map to Mesh. Image to Distance Map and Distance Map to Mesh require a paid plan.
Export as .stl
Select the mesh, click Export and choose .stl.
Save
Pick a folder and save the .stl file.
What to know about PNG → STL
- A PNG image has no depth: to make a 3D surface MeshInspector reads pixel brightness as height.
- STL stores only triangles: no colors, textures or units in the standard format.
- The route is Image to Distance Map, then Distance Map to Mesh: a relief where lighter pixels are higher; both tools require a paid plan.
- STL has no units, and most slicers read the numbers as millimeters, so check the size after conversion.
Online or desktop
Online
Building a mesh from an image needs Image to Distance Map and Distance Map to Mesh, which require a paid plan.
Desktop
The desktop app runs on Windows, macOS (Apple silicon) and Linux. Use it for large files, many files, and the tools the web app does not have. The free Community plan covers opening and exporting; see Pricing for what the paid plans add.
FAQ
Can I convert PNG to STL for free?
No. A PNG image becomes a mesh through Image to Distance Map and Distance Map to Mesh, and both require a paid plan; exporting the finished mesh as .stl is free. The Pricing page lists what each plan includes, and the desktop app runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Do I need an account?
Yes. MeshInspector asks you to sign in, in the web app and in the desktop app, and the two image tools need a paid plan. You can see the plans on the Pricing page before you sign up, and start with the free Community plan to try the app.
What kind of 3D model do I get from a PNG?
A relief: MeshInspector reads the brightness of each pixel as a height, so a lighter pixel becomes a higher point of the surface. It suits grayscale height maps and logos; a photo of an object does not turn into a full 3D model of that object.
Are colors and units kept?
STL keeps only the triangles: colors, textures and units are lost when you convert to STL. STL has no units, and most slicers read the numbers as millimeters, so check the size of the model after conversion and use Scale if it is off by a factor of 10, 25.4 or 1000.
