There are two ways to turn a mascot character into a 3D model: commission a production studio or a 3D modeler, or generate a 3D model with AI from an illustration you already have. Either way, if an outside designer drew the character, the starting point is the same: check your contract to see whether you are allowed to turn the design into 3D.
This guide is for people who look after a character for a company, a city or region, an organization, or a shop. It covers what 3D actually gives you, what it costs, which clauses to look for in the contract, how to make a 3D model from one illustration, how to post it on social media, and what to settle before you use it as official material. AI-generated 3D models are made from illustrations, so you can't make one from a photo of a mascot costume, a plush, or a piece of merchandise.
Note: Figmee currently provides figurine-style images made from illustrations, 3D model data (GLB / 3MF), and turntable videos of your 3D models. Ordering physical 3D prints is Coming Soon, and when it launches, shipping will be limited to Japan.
Note: This article is general information, not legal advice. For decisions about your own contracts and rights, please consult a lawyer or other qualified professional.
What can a 3D version of a mascot character do for you?
A 3D version lets you use the side view, the back view, and a turning view that a single illustration could never show. If all you want is to spin the character on screen or make images from different angles, you don't need a skeleton for animation (rigging). Animating the character, using it in live streams, or building it into an app are separate jobs with separate costs.
A common situation is having a character but only one picture of it, so it rarely gets a chance to appear. Even a press release from a Japanese company that makes animated mascot assets describes the typical worry of the person in charge this way: the character was created, but it stays on the website and only shows up on social media now and then (source: CALF Inc., press release for its "Mascot Deco" service, PR TIMES, October 15, 2026, in Japanese).
Here is what each use needs, and whether an AI-generated 3D model is enough.
| Use | What you need | Is AI 3D (Figmee) enough? |
|---|---|---|
| Show the character turning on social media | A 3D model with shape and color | Yes (you can export a turntable video without using tokens) |
| Check the side and back views | A 3D model with shape and color | Yes (you can rotate it 360° in the browser) |
| Make images in different poses | The same character in other poses | Partly (register the character and create figurine-style images in new poses; Figmee tries to keep the look the same, but results may not always match your design exactly) |
| Animate it in videos, live streams, or AR | A skeleton (rigging) and motion data | No (rigging and animation are not supported) |
| Make 3D merchandise or display pieces | Print-ready data and a place to print | Partly (you can send the 3MF file to an outside printing service; ordering 3D prints through Figmee is Coming Soon) |
If your goal is to show the character, like the first two rows, you can start with an AI-generated model. If your goal is to make it move, talking to a production studio from the outset is the shorter path.
How much does it cost to turn a mascot character into 3D?
Commissioning a humanoid 3D character sits in a high to very high price band, according to published Japanese price guides. If you try it yourself with AI on Figmee, one 3D model costs 5 tokens ($5.99 for a pack of 5 tokens), and the first model on each account is free. The gap comes from how many production stages you ask for.
| Route | Price level | Source and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Commission a 3D character (humanoid) | High to very high | Metaverse Research Institute (CREX), "What does it cost to commission a 3D model?", updated November 4, 2025, in Japanese |
| Commission a 3D character (non-humanoid) | High to very high, a little below humanoid | Same as above |
| Outsource the 3D modeling (humanoid character) | Moderate to very high | Crowdsourcing Times, "Market rates for 3D modeling", updated June 2, 2025, in Japanese |
| Outsource the 3D modeling (animals and other non-humanoid characters) | Low to high | Same as above |
| Add-on for movement: rigging | Moderate to fairly high | Same as above |
| Add-on for movement: simple animation | Moderate | Same as above |
| Make it with AI (Figmee) | 5 tokens per 3D model ($5.99 for 5 tokens); first model free on each account | As of November 2026. Tokens come back automatically if a generation fails |
These price levels are guides from the time each source was published. They shift with the complexity of the shape, how much reference material you can provide, the delivery format, the number of revisions, and whether the copyright is transferred to you. Some services skip 3D altogether and turn a mascot illustration into animated social media assets instead. The illustration plan of the "Mascot Deco" social media package mentioned above, for example, delivers about eight motions of roughly three to five seconds each, is priced in a range comparable to a 3D commission, and takes about two weeks (source: the press release cited above). For a stage-by-stage breakdown and a comparison of providers, see Comparing the Cost of Turning Your Character into 3D.
An AI-generated model does not replace a studio's work. You can't correct the details to match your design sheet, and the AI guesses at the back of the character where the illustration shows nothing. What it does give you is a low-cost way to see what the character looks like in 3D before you ask a studio for a quote or raise a budget request internally.
What rights should you check before turning your company's character into 3D?
If an outside designer drew the character, paying the fee does not by itself move the copyright to you; as a rule, it stays with the designer. Under Japan's Copyright Act, even a contract that transfers the copyright is presumed to leave Article 27 rights (including adaptation) and Article 28 rights (rights in derivative works) with the designer unless the contract names them specifically (Article 61(2)). Turning an illustration into a 3D form can involve this right of adaptation, so check that part of your contract before you start.
Copyright rules differ by country. The points below follow Japanese law; if your contract is governed by another country's law, check that law or ask a lawyer.
Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs explains the following in its Q&A on commissions and contracts (source: Agency for Cultural Affairs, FAQ on legal issues in arts and culture activities, Q5-2, Q5-4, and Q5-5, in Japanese):
- Copyright can be transferred in part, not only as a whole.
- Unless the contract names the Article 27 and Article 28 rights, they are presumed to stay with the person who transferred the copyright. That is why contracts include wording such as "including the rights set out in Articles 27 and 28 of the Copyright Act," to make clear that everything is being transferred.
- Moral rights (the right to make the work public, the right to be credited, and the right to the integrity of the work) can't be transferred, and contracts sometimes include a clause in which the creator agrees not to exercise them.
Here is what to do before going 3D, depending on what your contract says.
| What the contract says | What to do before going 3D |
|---|---|
| Copyright is transferred, "including the rights in Articles 27 and 28" | The intent to transfer rights that cover 3D use is clear. Also check whether there is a clause on not exercising moral rights |
| Only "all copyright is transferred" | Articles 27 and 28 are treated as not named, so those rights may be presumed to remain with the designer. Tell the designer you plan to make a 3D version and get their agreement in writing |
| Only a license to use | Check whether the license covers 3D adaptation, 3D models, and posting on social media |
| You can't find the contract | Look for the department that placed the order and any records from that time. If nothing turns up, talk to the designer |
This presumption can be overturned depending on how the contract came about and how the character has been used. In the Hikonyan case (Osaka High Court decision, March 31, 2011), the contract did not name those rights, but the transfer of the adaptation right for three-dimensional use was recognized, based partly on a specification document that mentioned planned three-dimensional use. In the Yamashiron case (Osaka District Court judgment, January 20, 2026), which involved a hero character created for a company's anniversary project, the court found that the Article 27 and 28 rights remained with the creator (source: Michio Yamazaki, "A case where rebutting the presumption of Article 61(2) of the Copyright Act was at issue (the Yamashiron case)," Chizai Prism No. 284, May 2026, in Japanese). Which case yours resembles depends on the specific facts, so if you can't tell from your own contract, ask a professional.
When you talk to the designer, being specific helps: for example, "We'd like to make a 3D model and post it on social media as a turntable video." People feel differently about having their artwork read by an AI service, so if you plan to use AI, say so and get their agreement up front to avoid misunderstandings later. For copyright in 3D models in general, see 3D Model Copyright Basics; for selling a character as 3D merchandise, see Can You Sell Figurines of Your Original Character?.
How do you make a 3D model from a single illustration with AI?
On Figmee, you upload the illustration, generate a figurine-style image (a 3D image), make a 3D model from it, and export a turntable video. For your first model, the hands-on time is about 20 minutes (waiting time for generation varies with how busy the service is).
- Pick the illustration (about 10 minutes): Choose one image that shows the character's whole body. You can use a photo or scan of a drawing on paper, or a digital illustration (PNG, JPEG, or WebP, up to 20 MB each). Photos of a costume, plush, or merchandise, and images that look like photos, can't be used. If an outside designer drew it, finish the contract check from the previous section first.
- Upload it and generate the 3D image (about 2 minutes of hands-on time): Choose a quality level, "Standard", "Pro", or "Max", and start the generation. It uses 1 to 3 tokens depending on the quality. If the image is judged to be a photo, generation stops and the tokens are returned automatically.
- Generate the 3D model (about 1 minute of hands-on time): This uses 5 tokens, and the first model on each account is free. When it's ready, rotate it 360° in the browser and check the side and back. The AI fills in the back where the illustration shows nothing, so look for anything that contradicts the official design.
- Export a turntable video (about 3 minutes): On the work page, select "Create 360° video", then "Export" and "Save". No tokens are used. It works in Chrome and Edge on a computer and in Chrome on Android; it may not work in Safari or Firefox.
- Make pose variations (optional, about 5 minutes): On the work page, select "Register as character" (no tokens), then on the character page select "Generate a new pose" and describe the pose or scene in up to 200 characters. For 1 to 3 tokens depending on quality, you get a figurine-style image in a new pose, created while trying to keep the character's look the same.
New accounts receive 5 free tokens as a sign-up bonus (valid for 3 months after registration, only for the first registration with a given email address). Uploaded images are used only to create 3D images and 3D models and are not used to train AI. Unless you publish a work yourself, it isn't shown to anyone else. That may help when deciding whether to try a character that hasn't been released outside your organization yet.
How should you post it on social media?
The simplest option is to post the turntable video as it is. The video is a square clip of about 6 seconds in which the model turns twice, with the Figmee logo in the bottom right corner. There are no settings to remove the logo or change the background color or length.
| How to share | How to make it | Things to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Post the turntable video | "Create 360° video" on the work page | About 6 seconds, two turns, square, Figmee logo in the bottom right. The format depends on your browser: MP4 or WebM. Some social media services may not accept WebM |
| Post a share link | Turn on the switch next to "Share your work" on the work page | The share page shows the work's title, the 3D model, the original illustration you uploaded, and the creation date. Published works also appear in the "Community Gallery" |
| Post pose variations | Register the character and use "Generate a new pose" | The look may not match your design every time, so compare it with the official design sheet before posting |
If you're running short of post ideas, here are a few ways to use it:
- When introducing a new character, follow the front-view illustration with the turntable video
- Make pose variations for seasons and events
- Show an angle you've never shown in illustrations, such as "here's what the back looks like"
Engagement depends on the content and the timing, and going 3D won't necessarily get you more of it. Before you post, check which video formats each of your social media accounts accepts, since a WebM file may be rejected.
If you unpublish a share link, Figmee's share page is no longer shown. However, what you posted on social media, link previews that social networks have already displayed, and images other people have saved may remain. Finish your internal review before anything goes outside the organization.
Can you use an AI-made 3D model as official material?
Whether to use it as official material is a decision each company or organization makes for itself. Before deciding, it's safer to settle four things: the rights to the original illustration, the designer's agreement, your internal rules, and how you'll disclose that AI was used. Figmee's Terms of Service state that the copyright in an uploaded image belongs to the person who uploaded it, and that copyright in generated images follows applicable law. Check the Terms of Service before using it commercially.
Before it becomes official material, check these five points, which add differences from the design to the four above:
- Rights to the original illustration: Have you checked the Article 27 and 28 wording in the contract, as described above?
- The designer's agreement: Have you told the designer that you'll make a 3D version with AI and publish it?
- Internal rules: Does your organization have rules for releasing AI-generated content?
- Disclosure: Will you mention in the post that AI was used, and how?
- Differences from the design: Does anything the AI filled in, such as the back, contradict the official design?
If you want the character to move, need every detail built exactly to the design, plan to use the model as a main asset for years, or want the rights settled in a single contract, a production studio is the better fit.
| When Figmee is a good fit | When it isn't |
|---|---|
| You want to see what the character looks like in 3D first | You want to animate the character in live streams, videos, or AR |
| You want more turntable videos and different angles for social media | You need a video without the logo or with a specific background color |
| You want to show a prototype when discussing the budget | You need an official 3D model built to every detail of the design |
| You have an illustration of the character | All you have is a photo of a costume or plush |
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a 3D model from a photo of our mascot costume or plush?
No. Figmee turns drawn illustrations into 3D, and it can't use photos of real people, animals, objects, or scenery, or images that look like photos. If an image is judged to be a photo, generation stops and the tokens are returned automatically. Please use an illustration of the character.
Can I remove the logo from the turntable video or change the background color?
No. The turntable video is a square clip of about 6 seconds with two turns, and it has the Figmee logo in the bottom right corner. If you need footage without the logo or with a set background, consider importing the GLB into 3D software such as Blender and rendering it yourself, or commissioning a studio.
Can the 3D model be animated for videos or events?
3D models made with Figmee (GLB / 3MF) are static shape-and-color data. Rigging (adding a skeleton so the model can move) and animation are not supported. To animate the model, you would need to rig it in 3D software or commission a studio. For an introduction to rigging, see What Is Rigging?
Can it become physical merchandise or a display piece?
Ordering physical 3D prints through Figmee is Coming Soon, so you can't order them yet (when it launches, shipping will be limited to Japan). The 3MF file you can download is meant for your own 3D printer or for printing services that accept 3MF.
Summary
Turning a mascot character into 3D starts with checking the contract to see whether you may do it at all. If an outside designer drew the character and the contract doesn't name the Article 27 and 28 rights, the rights that cover 3D use are presumed to stay with the designer under Japanese law, so get their agreement in writing before you go ahead.
From there, if your goal is to show the character turning or to add more angles, you can make a 3D model from one illustration with AI and post a turntable video that uses no tokens. If your goal is to make it move, build it out in detail, or use it as a main asset for years, a production studio is the better fit. Seeing the character in 3D first makes it easier to decide which way to go.
