I run image-to-3D both ways: locally in ComfyUI on an RTX 5080 (16 GB) with Pixal3D and TRELLIS.2, and online on JollyAI, which I built on the same kind of pipeline. Here’s an honest comparison so you can pick the right one for your situation.
Disclosure: JollyAI is my own tool.
- Go local if you already own an NVIDIA GPU with about 16 GB VRAM, enjoy tweaking, and make lots of models.
- Go online if you’re on a laptop, Mac or phone, want rigging and animation without extra tools, or only need a few models.
- Buying a GPU just for image-to-3D rarely pays off unless you make 3D every day.
Side by Side
| Local (ComfyUI + TRELLIS.2 / Pixal3D) | Online (JollyAI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | NVIDIA GPU, ideally 16 GB VRAM, plus plenty of RAM and disk | Any phone, tablet or laptop |
| Setup | ComfyUI, custom nodes, several GB of model files, version fixes after updates | None |
| Rigging + animation | Separate tools (Blender, add-ons) | Animate it checkbox, or 3D Rigger with fingers, face and hair |
| Voxel style | Extra workflow | One checkbox |
| Control | Every parameter, texture size, remesh budget | Simple options |
| Privacy | Everything stays on your PC | Images processed on the server |
| Cost | Free per model once you own the GPU (plus power) | Free preview; $3.99 Day Pass or $14.99/mo PRO to download |
What Local Really Needs
TRELLIS.2-class models are heavy. On 16 GB you can run them with quantised (int8) weights and sensible texture sizes; on 8 to 12 GB you’ll fight out-of-memory errors and smaller settings. You’ll also want 32 GB+ system RAM and tens of GB of free disk for models. My full local setup, with every file and folder, is in the ComfyUI Pixal3D workflow guide, and the VRAM basics are in How much VRAM ComfyUI needs.
Time Cost
- Local first run: an evening to install, download models and fix node errors. Then it’s fast per model, until the next ComfyUI update breaks a node.
- Online first run: a couple of minutes. Rigging adds about 90 seconds in 3D Rigger.
The Money Maths
A 16 GB GPU is a big purchase. If you only need 3D models for a game jam or a handful of characters a month, a $3.99 Day Pass (25 generations in 24 hours, with 3D and rig downloads) or $14.99/month PRO is far cheaper than new hardware. If you already own the GPU for gaming or other AI work, local is a great free option for static models.
No 16 GB GPU? Skip the setup. Same kind of image-to-3D in the browser, plus rigging. 1 free preview a day.
Try Image to 3D online →
Which One Wins for You?
| You are | Pick |
|---|---|
| ComfyUI power user with a 16-24 GB GPU | Local for static models; online 3D Rigger for face and hair rigs |
| Indie dev on a laptop | Online |
| VTuber or creator who needs a moving character | Online (Animate it + 3D Rigger) |
| Working with confidential designs | Local |
| Making a few models for one project | Online Day Pass |
What You Get With PRO (and the Cheaper Options)
| Free | Day Pass | PRO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $3.99 for 24 hours | $14.99/month for the first 50 members, locked for 12 months (then $19.99) |
| Generations | 1 per day | 25 | 50 per day |
| AI video (MiniMax H3: text, image and reference to video, with sound) | – | Up to 3 | Up to 10 per day |
| AI images (Krea 2, Qwen 2.1) and image editing | – | Yes | Yes |
| Image to 3D (with Animate it and Blocky / voxel) | Watermarked 360° preview | GLB download | GLB download |
| 3D Rigger (body, fingers, face, hair) | Free preview | FBX + GLB download | FBX + GLB download, 10 rigs a day |
| Text to voice | Generate and listen | Generate and listen | Generate and download |
Why the bundle is good value: PRO isn’t just image-to-3D. The same $14.99 covers images, video with sound, rigging and voice, which locally would mean several heavy models, lots of disk and a lot of maintenance.
FAQ
Can TRELLIS.2 run on 8 GB VRAM?
It’s a struggle. Expect out-of-memory errors and reduced quality settings. 16 GB is the comfortable minimum in my testing.
Is the online result the same quality as local?
It uses the same family of open image-to-3D models, so quality is in the same range. Local gives you more knobs to push detail; online gives you rigging and voxel options out of the box.
Can I mix both?
Yes. Many people generate locally and use 3D Rigger online for the face, finger and hair rig.
Final Thoughts
If you have the GPU, local is a great free option. If you don’t, or you want a moving character instead of a statue, online gets you there faster and cheaper than new hardware.
Try it before you buy a GPU. Free daily preview, works on any device.
Open JollyAI Image to 3D →
JollyAI is my own tool. Download with a Day Pass ($3.99) or PRO ($14.99/mo for the first 50 members).