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Generate 3D

Create a printable 3D mesh from a short description or a single photo.

5 min read

Generate 3D builds a 3D mesh from a short description or a single photo, then prepares it for printing. It is the fastest way to produce an organic shape, such as a figurine, an ornament, a character, or a piece of decor, without specifying exact measurements.

When to use Generate 3D

Studio offers two ways to create a design. Generate 3D is the right choice when the shape matters more than the exact dimensions, including anything sculptural, curved, or difficult to describe in numbers. For a part that must fit, mount, or measure to a specification, use Describe a design instead, which produces parametric CAD with exact sizes.

Use Generate 3D when appearance matters most; use Describe a design when dimensions do.

Generate 3DDescribe a design
Best forFigurines, decor, characters, organic shapesFunctional, dimensioned parts
Starts fromAn idea or a photoA written description in chat
You getA single 3D meshParametric CAD you can re-ask to change
Adjustable slidersNoNo — refine by chat
  • Best for
    Generate 3D
    Figurines, decor, characters, organic shapes
    Describe a design
    Functional, dimensioned parts
  • Starts from
    Generate 3DAn idea or a photo
    Describe a design
    A written description in chat
  • You get
    Generate 3DA single 3D mesh
    Describe a design
    Parametric CAD you can re-ask to change
  • Adjustable sliders
    Generate 3DNo
    Describe a designNo — refine by chat

Generating a mesh

Generate 3D opens as a panel inside the Workbench. Choose how to start, set the size and quality, and select Generate.

  1. 1

    Open Generate 3D

    In Studio, select Generate 3D. The Generate panel opens in the Workbench.
  2. 2

    Choose a starting point

    Switch between From an idea, where you type a short prompt of up to 500 characters, and From a photo, where you upload one image in PNG, JPEG, or WebP format.
  3. 3

    Set the size

    Use the size slider to set the target size of the finished model, from 20 to 250 mm. The default is 80 mm. The make-printable step scales the mesh to match.
  4. 4

    Choose a quality

    Select Standard or High. High quality spends more time on detail.
  5. 5

    Generate

    Select Generate. Studio charges the credit cost and starts the job. The panel reports progress from that point.

Write a short, specific prompt

Name the object and the details that matter. “A chubby fox sitting, tail curled around its feet” produces a better result than a single vague word. When generating from a photo, a clean, well-lit image of a single object gives the mesh the most to work from.

Pricing

Generate 3D bills your Studio credit balance, the same platform balance used across Studio. The exact price is quoted before you select Generate.

From an idea costs more because it first renders a concept image from your text, then builds the mesh from that image.

ModeStarts fromCredit cost
From a photoAn image you upload$0.40
From an ideaA short text prompt$0.50
  • From a photo
    Starts fromAn image you upload
    Credit cost$0.40
  • From an idea
    Starts fromA short text prompt
    Credit cost$0.50

Failed generations are refunded automatically

If a generation fails or the make-printable step times out, the charge is refunded automatically. You will see a message such as “Generation failed — your credits were refunded.” You are only charged for a mesh you receive.

New accounts receive a $10 welcome credit, which covers your first several generations. If your balance is too low, Studio notifies you before charging with a message such as “Not enough credits — this generation costs $X.” See Studio credits for the full breakdown, and PrintPort credit for where credit comes from.

The make-printable step

A raw AI mesh is not ready to print. It can contain holes, sit at an odd angle, or be the wrong size. Studio corrects these issues automatically. After the mesh is generated, a worker repairs it, orients it, scales it to your chosen size, and runs a real slice before it appears in your design. This takes about a minute.

Generate 3D polls the job every few seconds, for up to about eight minutes.

StatusWhat is happening
Generating…Turning your idea or photo into a 3D mesh
Making it printable…Repairing, orienting, scaling to your size, and slicing it for real
DoneThe finished, print-ready model is added to your design
  • Generating…
    What is happening
    Turning your idea or photo into a 3D mesh
  • Making it printable…
    What is happening
    Repairing, orienting, scaling to your size, and slicing it for real
  • Done
    What is happening
    The finished, print-ready model is added to your design

If the finished mesh does not appear right away

Occasionally a just-finished model does not display in the viewport immediately. It is already saved. Select Back to Studio, then reopen the design and it will be present. You are not charged again, and the result is never lost.

Editing a generated mesh

A generated model is a single, fixed mesh with no parametric controls. This is by design: sliders exist only for parametric designs that were verified as adjustable, such as templates. A mesh is one shape, not a formula.

To change the look
Adjust your prompt or replace the photo and generate again. Each new generation produces a fresh mesh and is charged the credit price again.
To change the size
Set the size slider before you generate; the make-printable step scales to it. The finished model must fit within the 255 mm build volume to save.
If you need exact dimensions
Switch to Describe a design. Parametric CAD is the tool for parts that must measure to a specification.

Saving and selling your design

Once the print-ready mesh is in your design, the remaining flow is the same as any Studio design. Open the Workbench to select a material and view the live make cost, then choose Save to library to create a priced model in your Catalog.

Saving requires a verified email and a model that fits the 255 mm build volume — no Shippo, store, or card needed. From there you can turn the design into a product and, optionally, capture listing-ready photos of it — and take it from Draft to Live, which needs nothing further.

Describe a designThe other engine: parametric CAD for functional, dimensioned parts.The WorkbenchViewport, materials, live make cost, versions, and STL export.Renders & product photosTurn your finished mesh into listing-ready photos.Create a productPrice a saved design and prepare it for your store.