2D to 3D prints  

It very much depends what you are trying to do:  The correct answer is 'yes' - but the simplest is a mapping of grey-scale to thickness - related to the procedure used to make lithophanes so that, for example, dark areas are much thicker than pale ones and you get a sort of printed mountain range that maps to your photograph (try the OpenSCAD 'surface' command.)  More sophisticated calculations are similar to those once used to interpret aerial reconnaissance photographs - from altitude you see the shape of a building, it's shadow gives the profile and if you know the altitude and azimuth of the sun you can make a useful approximation; with more pictures at different times of day accuracy increases.

That's about all you can manage from a single picture - there is a whole other side missing and depth data is scarce.

What are you trying to do?

Cheerio,

RE: 2D to 3D prints

As Diem asked, what are you trying to do?

Just to add, there are now new tools that use AI that say they can convert a 2D image to a 3D image (at least) and maybe a model.   I was looking into Photogrammetry and came across many links for 2D to 3D stuff.

RE: 2D to 3D prints

Hi Diem & Robin!

It's purely experimental and a hobby. I've explored HueForge, but I find it too complicated. I also started by creating image layers in Inkscape, which led me to PrusaSlicer. But I feel like PrusaSlicer is the right approach.

PrusaSlicer is a slicer - not CAD (imo the CAD-ish additions detract from it's usability) and this is way beyond its capability.  Don't try to do CAD in PrusaSlicer, whilst you can design very primitive parts with it you will always do better with actual CAD software.

HueForge is a complicated way to make a 3D printer into a very low grade 2D printer and largely a waste of time and filament (so, almost always, is lithophane), you will *always* get a better result from a 2D inkjet and OHP transparency 'paper' (film). 

Surprisingly Inkscape can be very useful for making slabs that can become either the outline or sometimes a complicated (negative value) perforation ... create a silhouette, export as SVG and import into you CAD of choice and extrude the outline.  Simple designs can even be finished in PrusaSlicer as originally requested so:  create outline with hole, fill with black, export svg, import into PrusaSlicer, edit thickness if desired, use colour painting to add text, slice and print - hey presto: a custom keyfob.

Now, I'm fairly sure you are one of the many users who got into 3D printing as a retirement hobby; forgive me if I'm wrong, but you can always borrow my 'second childhood' excuse and use the software intended to get kids into 3d design ... Tinkercad is surprisingly capable for a range of small, practical parts and is a useful stepping stone into FreeCAD or if you are already a FreeCAD user it can give you another viewpoint which you can use to improve your FreeCAD skills.  I generally use OpenSCAD which is a completely different way of looking at the process, it doesn't suit everyone but it's worth checking in case it does happen to gel with your thinking.

..and if you tell us exactly what you are trying to do we can probably help a little more.

Cheerio,

RE: 2D to 3D prints

I feel that Diem stated it the best.  Use the correct tool for the job.  I use FreeCAD myself.  Have used some Blender for other stuff but not as skilled as I am with FreeCAD.  Many have asked for CAD tools in PrusaSlicer but the work to do that is beyond what the developers have the time for.  Just look at the issues list for PrusaSlicer and how many outstanding issues there are.

If you don't want to learn the skills, AI is the best option, even when complicated.  I have not tried it yet.

If you look on Printables, there is a FreeCAD forum that will provide help.  In some cases, people will help you with creating what you want.

In FreeCAD, I have take photos of objects and created replacement parts for equipment and then 3D printed them.  Of course, I have had to use CAD at work so it was a natural progression.

Not sure about using Inkscape for 3D work.  It isn't designed for that.  I do use Inkscape for laser work or converting some drawings/images into something I can work with in FreeCAD.  Working on a piece of artwork that someone wants made for their house.  PNG image into Inkscape.  Cleaned up and converted to paths and an SVG.  Imported into FreeCAD and some work then using the CAM tools, going to send to a CNC to be cut out.

For a character, I feel that Blender is the best tool.  Blender is a learning curve that takes time and patience, both of which I seem to not have.  😉  There are online videos on how to use Blender to convert a 2D image into a 3D model.  There are plugins for Blender to step, stl and obj, depending on what you are working with.

Without knowing what you are trying to do, it is hard to give the best help.  Maybe you can upload the image that you want to convert and we can help that way.

RE: 2D to 3D prints

I've stopped the project.
I was making good progress with Inkscape (5 scans = path).
Final result: 25 hours of printing for an image 9 x 16 cm.
That's too much for me!
Diem & Robin thanks for your input!