Why Photo Quality Matters
When turning your child's artwork into a 3D figurine, the quality of the original photo plays a huge role in the final result. A few simple techniques can make all the difference between a good figurine and a great one.
Tip 1: Use Natural Light
Lighting is the single most important factor in taking a great photo. Fluorescent lights can distort colors, while harsh overhead lighting creates unwanted shadows.
Best practices:
- Photograph near a window with indirect sunlight
- Overcast days provide soft, even lighting
- Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows
Natural light preserves the true colors of crayons, colored pencils, and paints, ensuring your figurine matches the original artwork.
Tip 2: Shoot from Directly Above
Hold your camera or phone directly above the drawing, parallel to the paper. Shooting at an angle distorts the proportions, which can affect the figurine's shape.
- Align your phone's center with the center of the drawing
- Use your phone's grid feature to help keep things level
- Hold steady with both hands to prevent blur
Tip 3: Keep the Background Simple
What's underneath the drawing matters more than you might think. Patterned tablecloths or cluttered surfaces can confuse the AI when it tries to identify the artwork's boundaries.
- Do: Place the drawing on a clean white surface or plain table
- Don't: Photograph on patterned fabric, newspapers, or overlapping papers
Tip 4: Include the Entire Drawing
Make sure the complete drawing fits within the frame. Cropped edges mean missing details in your figurine. Leave a small margin of about 1-2 cm around the artwork.
At the same time, don't zoom out too far. The drawing should fill most of the frame so figmee can capture all the wonderful details your child put into their art.
Tip 5: Watch Out for Shadows
Check that your own shadow isn't falling across the drawing. This is especially common when holding your phone directly overhead.
How to avoid shadows:
- Note where the light is coming from and adjust your position
- Shift your body slightly to one side
- Use your phone's timer feature to step back after pressing the shutter
Ready to Create
With these five tips in your toolkit, you're all set to capture your child's drawings perfectly. Upload your photo to figmee and watch as their artwork transforms into a charming 3D figurine that the whole family will love.