This Web App Easily Turns Your Selfies Into 3D Models

3D Printing & Imaging
This Web App Easily Turns Your Selfies Into 3D Models

Smoothie-3D

Taking a 2D photo and turning it into a 3D model is something that many users getting started in 3D printing are interested in doing. Sometimes a straight-on shot can help you get basic dimensions, but really transitioning it into a 3D model can be very difficult. Now, Smoothie-3D is trying to make this process easier with their free online modeling tool.

Smoothie-3D is a completely browser-based 3D modeling platform that incorporates several features that are often difficult to do in other programs. You can quickly import and manipulate existing 3D objects and perform actions like embedding text. Of course, one of the coolest features of Smoothie-3D is the ability to trace an image into multiple parts, then individually manipulate the dimensions and placement of those parts into a 3D model.

Their demo video of modeling a squirrel is instantly impressive:

YouTube player

The site requires a free registration to use, and I was pleased to discover that the squirrel model was available as a free demo to all new users. I was even more pleased when I opened the model and removed the texture map to reveal that, while not a detailed sculpt, it was a very recognizable model of a squirrel.

Do you frequently run into a 3D modeling problem, and need to find a tool to solve it? Let us know in the comments below.

9 thoughts on “This Web App Easily Turns Your Selfies Into 3D Models

  1. Robbie MacGillivray says:

    Is the Autodesk app that did this sort of thing still alive?

    1. Leonidas Trebuchet says:

      yes. alive and still free.
      http://www.123dapp.com/catch

      1. This Web App Easily Turns Your Selfies Into 3D Models Matt Stultz says:

        123D Catch and this app are totally different mechanisms, I highly recommend you watch the video of how Smoothie-3D works. 123D Catch has you take ~40 photos from different angles around an object and then it stitches those photos together to create a 3D object. Smoothie-3D uses one photo and the user can trace objects in that photo and give them dimension. Try taking 40 photos of squirrels from different angles without them moving and you will see the benefit of this app.

  2. SorinJackson says:

    At present 3D technology make their strong place in technological industry and becomes popular in regular basis. I hope these web apps work better to turn selfies into 3D models.

    http://www.ideavate.com/

  3. Karel Bata says:

    So how did that squirrel manage to take that selfie?

  4. Alejandro Lozdziejski says:

    As far as I know, the best tool for doing this is http://www.selva3d.com
    ​It’s fast, easy and free :)

    1. canarevalo says:

      I tried. But you have to pay for download, and it isn’t allow customization :(

    2. Camilo Arévalo says:

      I tried. But you have to pay for download, and it isn’t allow customization :(.

    3. Camilo Arévalo says:

      I tried. But you have to pay for download, and it isn’t allow customization :(

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Matt is a community organizer and founder of 3DPPVD, Ocean State Maker Mill, and HackPittsburgh. He is Make's digital fabrication and reviews editor.

View more articles by Matt Stultz

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