To convert a 2D image to 3D in Paint 3D, select the flat content on the canvas, then click the Make 3D button in the right-side editing panel to lift it into three-dimensional space. Alternatively, you can wrap a 2D image onto a 3D shape by inserting a sphere, cube, or cylinder and applying the image as a surface texture through the sticker workflow.
Paint 3D offers two primary methods for giving flat images a three-dimensional presence, though neither produces true volumetric depth from a single photograph. Microsoft discontinued Paint 3D in November 2024, but these conversion features work in existing installations.
Method 1: Using the Make 3D Button
The Make 3D feature converts any flat canvas selection into a 3D plane that can be repositioned, scaled, and rotated in three-dimensional space. The result is a flat card-like object with your image on one side.
- Open your 2D image in Paint 3D by going to Menu > Open > Browse files.
- Click the Select tool in the top toolbar.
- Draw a selection rectangle around the portion of the image you want to convert.
- In the right-side panel, click the Make 3D button. The selection lifts off the canvas and becomes a 3D object.
- Use the 3D positioning handles to move, resize, or rotate the object in X, Y, and Z axes.
- The back side of the object will be transparent. To add content to the back, duplicate and flip the object.
The Make 3D conversion preserves the original pixel resolution of your selection. Scaling the 3D object up significantly will reveal pixelation, so start with the highest resolution source image available.
Method 2: Wrapping Images onto 3D Shapes
For a more three-dimensional result, you can apply a 2D image as a texture on a 3D model surface. This wraps the image around the geometry of shapes like spheres, cubes, and cylinders.
- Click the 3D Objects icon in the top menu to open the 3D shapes panel.
- Insert a base shape: sphere, cube, cylinder, cone, or torus.
- Click the Stickers icon in the top menu (square with folded corner).
- In the stickers panel, click the folder icon to browse for your 2D image file.
- Select your image. It appears on the canvas as a movable sticker.
- Drag the sticker onto the 3D shape. When the shape highlights, release the mouse.
- The image wraps around the visible face of the shape. Click the stamp icon (checkmark) to apply it permanently.
The wrapping follows the surface curvature of the target shape. On a sphere, the image distorts near the poles. On a cube, it maps to one face at a time. Repeating the sticker process on each face lets you cover the entire shape with different images.
Limitations of 2D to 3D Conversion
Paint 3D does not perform photogrammetry or depth estimation. It cannot analyze a photograph and generate a true 3D mesh with accurate geometry. Here is what each method produces compared to professional 3D conversion:
| Feature | Make 3D | Shape Wrapping | Professional 3D Software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Output geometry | Flat plane | Primitive shape | Complex mesh |
| Depth information | None | Shape-based only | Per-pixel depth map |
| Rotation realism | Paper-thin from side view | Geometric, not photorealistic | Full parallax |
| Texture quality | Source resolution preserved | Stretching on curved surfaces | UV-mapped, no distortion |
| Export formats | 3MF, FBX, GLB | 3MF, FBX, GLB | OBJ, FBX, STL, GLTF |
For projects requiring accurate 3D reconstruction from photographs, dedicated tools like Meshroom (open source photogrammetry), Blender with photogrammetry add-ons, or commercial depth-mapping software produce far better results.
Tips for Better Conversions
When using Make 3D, remove the background first using Magic Select before converting. This prevents the background from becoming part of the 3D plane, giving you a cleaner cutout object that composites better in 3D scenes.
For shape wrapping, square images with 1:1 aspect ratios map most evenly onto cube faces. Panoramic images (2:1 ratio) wrap well around cylinders. Equirectangular projections work best on spheres, though some distortion at the poles is unavoidable.
Both conversion methods produce exportable 3D files. Go to Menu > Save as > 3D model to export in 3MF, FBX, or GLB format. These files open in 3D Viewer, Blender, Unity, and other 3D applications. For a full list of guides, visit the tutorials page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Paint 3D create true 3D models from photos?
No. Paint 3D cannot generate volumetric 3D meshes from flat photographs. The Make 3D button creates a flat plane in 3D space, and shape wrapping maps an image onto a primitive geometric shape. Neither method produces depth-accurate geometry from a single image.
What file formats can you export after converting 2D to 3D?
Paint 3D exports converted objects in 3MF, FBX, and GLB formats. Go to Menu, then Save as, then select 3D model. FBX is widely compatible with professional 3D software. GLB works well for web-based 3D viewers and augmented reality applications.
Can you add depth or thickness to a Make 3D object?
Paint 3D does not include an extrude or thickness tool for Make 3D conversions. The result is always a zero-thickness plane. To add depth, you would need to export the object and open it in software like Blender, where you can apply a Solidify modifier to give the flat mesh physical thickness.