Complete Tutorial on How to Convert PNG to STL Quickest Way Possible!

September 21, 2022Gerald Christian

Recently, the popularity of 3D printing has become widely appreciated by several users, designers, architects, and more. Knowing how to convert a 2D image into a 3D image is needed, especially if you want to make your image into a 3-dimensional design or prototype, and the suitable format you should use is STL. What if you have your PNG and wish to convert it into an STL? Is it workable? Indeed it is! You can easily convert PNG to STL with the converter we will introduce later in this topic with a complete tutorial on each.

Part 1. What are PNG and STL?
Part 2. How to Convert PNG to STL Using 2 Web Services PNG to STL Converters
Part 3. How to Convert PNG into Another Raster Image like JPG/JPEG or GIF Easily
Part 4. FAQs on How to Convert PNG to STL

Part 1. What are PNG and STL?

Let's start this article and figure out why we need to turn PNG into STL files by determining their strength and weaknesses in this comparison chart we add. Read the factual information we add below to give you an idea about these two formats.

	PNG	STL
History of the image format/s	PNG was introduced as a GIF alternative in late 1995. With the less color palette supported and patent-licensing of the GIF, PING, known as PNG today, fills the gap that the GIF can't do, such as millions of color palettes supported and patent-free yet they are still images.	STL was introduced as part of the stereolithography printing technology for 3D printers. It perfectly works for prototyping, creating 3D designs, and computer-aided manufacturing, known as CAM. This format has no color, texture, or CAD model attributes which isn't ideal for being used in producing a final product. So, if you want to create a 3D model or object, this format is universally known, like how PNG is universally used and known on the web.
Stands for	Portable Network Graphic	Standard Triangle Language or Standard Tesselation Language
Image type	Raster Image	Vector & Raster Image
Compression type	Lossless image compression	Lossless data compression and lossy data compression
Disadvantage of the format	Even though it is a GIF alternative, you cannot make an image move in this format unless you use APNG. Also, you cannot print a 3D model using a PNG format using a 3D printer.	Though the STL is used for 3D printing, the prototype you create isn't perfect as it seems because it doesn't contain color and texture. For publishing the 3D design in STL, you can't add metadata to it even if you manually add it.

So, if your goal is to use your 3D printer and make a 3D prototype, you will need to convert PNG to STL. Though converting is easy, choosing a suitable converter is troublesome for many because not all are reliable and secure to use. Instead of trying all the converters on the market, we will present to you 2 of the best pick we will add in the next part.

Part 2. How to Convert PNG to STL Using 2 PNG to STL Converters [Web Services]

1. ImagetoSTL

The name says it all; ImagetoSTL is a reliable and secured converter you can access on your web to change the format of your image into a 3D model like STL. You can use this converter for free if you have an internet connection. When you visit its official web page, you will notice numerous ads, yet its design is simplistic. So, converting your image to a 3D model is straightforward. So, if you want to use this PNG to STL online converter, you can copy the steps we include below.

Step 1:

Open your search engine and search the converter's name; click it to start using this online tool.

Step 2:

After that, press Upload a File to add the PNG file you want to turn into a 3D model.

Step 3:

You can change several options available in this converter; then press Convert to STL! to start transforming the image into a 3-dimensional format.

2. AnyConv

AnyConv is a batch converter you can use on the web without downloading any launcher. Unlike the first tool, this has a drag and drop feature, which means you can upload the image file you have on your device, drag it and drop it here to upload them quickly. Even though the online tool is free to use, there are still annoying ads on the main website once you visit it. Nevertheless, this PNG to STL converter is an excellent example of the best tool, and here are the steps to use it.

Step 1:

Search over AnyConv using your favorite web browser and open it.

Step 2:

Click Choose File, and a folder will appear on your screen, select the PNG file, and press Open to upload.

Step 3:

Press the drop-down button and choose the STL, and press Convert to start converting the image into an STL format. After that, click Download .STL to have the converted image to your local drive.

Part 3. How to Convert PNG into Another Raster Image like JPG/JPEG or GIF Easily

With Aiseesoft Free Image Converter Online, you can start changing your PNG format into a JPG/JPEG or non-animated GIF easily without downloading any software or installer. This online tool works fast with the AI technology that it proudly added to make converting run smoother and finish the task in a blink of an eye. So, if you want to use this converter, here are the steps you can follow to convert the PNG into a new popular format quickly.

Step 1:

Click this link to open the official website of this converter. When you have opened the website, choose the output format you want to achieve, JPG or GIF.

Step 2:

Once you have selected the output format, click Add Images to import the PNG file you want to change into a new format.

Step 3:

The converting process will automatically start after you upload the file. When the file is finished, click Download to save it on your drive.

Part 4. FAQs on How to Convert PNG to STL

After converting PNG to STL, will transparency be a loss?

STL doesn't support per-facet alpha value, 1-bit transparency, or any transparency, which means it will not transfer the transparency you have on PNG on STL. You may need another format to make the image background transparent.

Does the color of PNG remain after changing into STL?

As per the review we did in the STL, there is no color data stored in this format, which means when you print a 3D model using your 3D printer, it will print out the object, but the color isn't. Other than that, no text data is saved on it, like the metadata.

How to convert 2D video to 3D?

To do this task, you will need to know, use and download the best 3D converter you can have on your device, like the Aiseesoft 3D Converter, and you can learn how to use this 3D video editor to start turning your 2D video into a 3D video quickly.

Conclusion

Your query about converting PNG to STL is solved using the converters we added above that can transform the 2D image into a 3D object. If your image is in the format of STL, then you are now ready to print it and have the 3D project in your hand. Use the Aiseesoft Free Image Converter Online to convert your PNG or other image formats into a popular format like JPEG, JPG, PNG, or GIF. So, what do you think of this post? Did it help you? Share this with everyone you know to help them transform their PNG into a 3D print-ready format like STL.

What do you think of this post?