JPG to STL Relief and Lithophane Converter
Transform JPG/JPEG photographs, depth maps, and textures into variable-height relief meshes and printable lithophane STL files.
Technical principle
The result is a heightmap, not a full reconstruction of hidden 3D geometry. The exporter turns the source into a bounded triangle mesh and exposes the selected units, tessellation, or image settings before download. Review the bounding box, face…
Parameters at a glance
| Parameter | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Input format | .JPG,.JPEG | Accepted source file extension. |
| Output format | STL | Geometry or archive produced by this route. |
| File size | Up to 250 MB | Upload guardrail before parsing or conversion. |
| Mesh review | Preview, normals, open edges | Check geometry before download or slicing. |
| Resolution | Adjustable | Controls the generated geometry. |
| Width | Adjustable | Controls the generated geometry. |
| Height | Adjustable | Controls the generated geometry. |
| Base | Adjustable | Controls the generated geometry. |
Converting 2D Photographs into 3D Depth Maps and Lithophanes
JPG to STL conversion maps each pixel luminance value to Z elevation on a triangle grid backed by a baseplate. Printed in white PLA, the variable thickness can create a detailed lithophane when held to a light source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What slicer settings work for a JPG lithophane?
Use white PLA, high infill, a slow print speed, and a small layer height in Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, or Cura. Check the preview and final dimensions first.
Can I use an AI depth map with JPG to STL?
Yes. A grayscale depth map can produce a 2.5D bas-relief because pixel brightness directly controls the generated height.
Are both .jpg and .jpeg supported?
Yes. Both extensions are accepted and generate closed Binary STL heightmap meshes when the image can be decoded.