Getting a good result from an image-to-STL converter is not just about uploading a nice image — the conversion settings you choose have a huge impact on the final print quality. In this guide, we break down every setting available in imagetostl.net and give you recommended values for the most common use cases.
Setting 1: Max Height
Max Height controls how tall the highest point of your 3D model will be, in millimeters. This is one of the most important settings because it determines how dramatic or subtle the 3D effect looks when printed.
| Use case | Recommended height |
|---|---|
| Keychain or badge | 2–4 mm |
| Wall plaque or wall art | 4–8 mm |
| Decorative centerpiece | 10–20 mm |
| Portrait / face relief | 5–10 mm |
| Terrain / landscape map | 15–30 mm |
As a general rule, start low (3–5mm) and increase only if the model looks too flat in the preview. Very tall max heights can make fine details look exaggerated and may cause printing overhangs.
Setting 2: Invert Height
By default, bright (white) pixels become raised and dark (black) pixels become recessed. The Invert Height option reverses this.
Use Invert Height when: your subject is dark on a light background. For example, a black logo on a white background, dark text on a white page, or a dark drawing on white paper. Without inversion, the white background would become the tallest part — the opposite of what you want.
Leave it off when: your subject is light on a dark background, or your image is already set up as a proper heightmap (white = raised, black = flat).
Setting 3: Remove Background
This setting automatically detects the background of your image and removes it before conversion. The result is a model where only your main subject has 3D relief — the background area stays flat at the base level.
Turn this on when: you have a subject on a plain white or solid-color background and you only want the subject to appear in 3D. This is ideal for logos, icons, and product photos with clean backgrounds.
Leave it off when: you want the entire image — including the background — to contribute to the 3D shape. Terrain maps and full-image textures benefit from having the background included.
Pro tip: For best background removal results, use a PNG with an already-transparent background. Pre-remove it using a tool like remove.bg before uploading.
Setting 4: Add Base
The Add Base setting adds a solid flat platform underneath your 3D model. The thickness of the base is specified in millimeters.
Always add a base if you plan to print the model on a flat surface, hang it on a wall, or use it as a plaque. The base gives the model structural integrity and prevents the fine bottom edges from being too thin to print reliably.
A base thickness of 1–2mm is usually sufficient for small models. For larger or heavier prints, use 2–4mm for better stability.
Setting 5: Smoothing
Smoothing applies a blur to the height field before building the mesh. It reduces the staircase/pixelated effect that raw heightmap conversion can produce.
Best for sharp logos, text, geometric shapes, and pixel art. Keeps edges crisp and defined.
Good for general use. Slightly softens edges while preserving most of the detail.
Ideal for portraits, faces, and organic shapes. Removes the blocky pixel effect and creates natural curves.
Use for terrain maps and landscape images where you want gradual, gentle transitions. Can cause fine details to disappear.
Recommended Settings by Project Type
| Project | Height | Invert | Remove BG | Base | Smooth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logo / icon | 3–5mm | Often yes | Yes | 2mm | 0–1 |
| Portrait / face | 5–10mm | Maybe | Yes | 2mm | 3–5 |
| Wall plaque | 4–8mm | Often yes | Optional | 2–3mm | 1–2 |
| Terrain / map | 15–30mm | No | No | 3mm | 4–6 |
| Keychain / badge | 2–3mm | Often yes | Yes | 1mm | 0–1 |
A Note on Image Preparation
The single best thing you can do before adjusting any settings is to prepare your source image well. Increase the contrast before uploading — a quick levels or curves adjustment in any photo editor will dramatically improve your results. Remove any unwanted backgrounds, crop tightly to your subject, and resize to a reasonable resolution (800–2000px wide is ideal).
The converter can only work with what it receives. A well-prepared image with strong contrast will always outperform a perfect settings configuration applied to a flat, low-contrast original.
Try these settings yourself
Open the converter and experiment with the settings in real time — the 3D preview updates instantly as you adjust.
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