Image-to-3D models like TRELLIS.2 are amazing, but running them yourself means a 16 GB GPU, a ComfyUI install and a dozen model files. I covered that route in my ComfyUI Pixal3D workflow guide.
This guide is the no-GPU route: upload one picture to JollyAI Image to 3D in your browser and get a textured 3D model back. Tick one box and it comes out rigged and animated too.
Disclosure: JollyAI is my own tool.
- Input: one image of one full-body character or object on a plain background.
- Output: a textured GLB 3D model, viewable as a 360° turntable.
- Animate it: rigs the character (auto A-pose) so it can move.
- Blocky / voxel style: turns it into a chunky game-style model.
- Free: 1 generation a day as a watermarked 360° preview. Download the GLB with a Day Pass ($3.99) or PRO.
Which Images Make the Best 3D Models
The model can only build what it can see. These rules come from a lot of test runs:
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| One full-body character or one object | Groups, crowds, cropped legs or heads |
| Plain or removed background | Busy scenes where the subject blends into the background |
| Arms slightly away from the body | Arms glued to the torso (they fuse together in 3D) |
| Smooth styles: 3D render, anime, illustration, photo | Pixel art and voxel art as input (use the Blocky option instead) |
| Front or three-quarter view | Extreme angles, heavy motion blur |
No suitable image? Generate one first. Prompt for something like “full body character, standing, arms slightly out, plain grey background, 3D render style”. If you work locally, my local background removal guide gets you a clean cut-out.
Step by Step: Image to 3D Online
- Open Image to 3D in the JollyAI Playground.
- Upload your image.
- Choose the options: Animate it for a character that moves, Blocky / voxel style for a game-style look, or neither for a static model.
- Generate. You’ll see the result as a 360° turntable.
- Happy with it? Download the GLB (Day Pass or PRO). Want more control over the bones, fingers or face? Send it to 3D Rigger.
Try it with your own picture. 1 free 3D preview every day, no GPU or install needed.
Make my 3D model →
Animate It and Blocky / Voxel Explained
Animate it
Normally image-to-3D gives you a statue. With Animate it ticked, JollyAI also puts the character into an A-pose and adds a skeleton, so the model can play animations. This is the fastest way to go from a drawing to a moving character for a game, a VTuber-style avatar or a short video.
Blocky / voxel style
Ticks the model into a chunky, block-built look, like a voxel game character. It works best on simple, readable characters and props. Use a normal smooth image as input; the tool does the “blocky” part.
Use the GLB in Blender, Unity, Godot and Unreal
| App | How to import |
|---|---|
| Blender | File > Import > glTF 2.0 (.glb/.gltf) |
| Godot 4 | Drop the .glb into the project folder; Godot imports it as a scene |
| Unity | Install a glTF importer package (such as glTFast), then drag the .glb into Assets. For a rigged FBX, use 3D Rigger with “Export for Unity” |
| Unreal Engine 5 | Import the .glb with the built-in glTF importer, or use a rigged FBX from 3D Rigger with “Export for Unreal” |
| Web (Three.js, model-viewer) | GLB loads directly with GLTFLoader or the <model-viewer> tag |
Local ComfyUI vs Online: Which to Use
| Local (ComfyUI + TRELLIS.2) | JollyAI online | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | NVIDIA GPU, ideally 16 GB VRAM | Any phone or laptop |
| Setup | ComfyUI, custom nodes, several GB of models | None |
| Rig + animation | Separate tools and steps | One checkbox |
| Cost | Free if you own the GPU | Free preview; Day Pass or PRO to download |
| Control | Every setting | Simple options |
If you already have a strong GPU and enjoy tweaking, go local. If you want a usable model in a few minutes, or you’re on a laptop or phone, use the online tool.
What You Get With PRO (and the Cheaper Options)
Image to 3D isn’t sold on its own. One JollyAI plan unlocks every tool on the site.
| 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: doing the same with separate products usually means paying for an image generator, a video generator, an image-to-3D tool, an auto rigger and a text-to-speech app. With PRO it’s one $14.99 plan for the whole pipeline: make the image, turn it into 3D, rig it, give it a voice, put it in a video.
Which one? One model for a project or game jam: Day Pass. Making characters or content every week: PRO. Just curious: start free.
FAQ
Can I convert an image to a 3D model for free?
Yes, you can generate 1 model a day for free and view it as a watermarked 360° preview. Downloading the GLB needs a Day Pass or PRO. If you have a 16 GB GPU, the local ComfyUI route is fully free.
What file format do I get?
GLB, the standard binary glTF format that Blender, Godot, Unreal, Three.js and most web viewers open directly. For a rigged FBX tuned for Unity or Unreal, use 3D Rigger.
Can I turn a photo of a real person into 3D?
Technically yes, but only use photos you have the rights to, and get consent from the person.
Can I 3D print the model?
You can import the GLB into a slicer workflow (via Blender export to STL), but check the mesh is watertight first. AI models are built for screens, not printing.
Does it work for objects, not just characters?
Yes. Props, vehicles, creatures and products work well. Animate it is only useful for characters.
Final Thoughts
One good picture is now enough for a 3D model, and one checkbox is enough to make it move. Start with a clean, full-body image and you’ll get a usable GLB on the first or second try.
Turn your picture into 3D now. Free daily preview, no GPU, works on your phone.
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).