A 3D model is data that represents the shape of an object on a computer in three directions: height, width, and depth (three dimensions). Unlike a flat picture (2D), you can rotate your viewpoint to see the sides and even the back, and light falling on it creates realistic, three-dimensional shading. That is why 3D models are used in so many places, from games and films to 3D views on websites and 3D printing. In this article, we walk through what a 3D model is, what it is made of, what types exist, and how you make one, all at a level you can follow without any technical background.
Note: Figmee currently lets you upload a drawing or illustration and generate and download a figurine-style image and 3D model data (GLB / 3MF). Sales of physical 3D-printed items are in preparation (Coming Soon).
What is a 3D model: how it differs from a 2D illustration
In one sentence, a 3D model is "three-dimensional data you can view from any angle." A 2D picture such as an illustration or a photo shows how something looks from one fixed direction, drawn on a flat surface, so you cannot look at it from the side or flip it over. A 3D model, by contrast, holds the shape itself inside a space, so you can spin it around and check the sides, the back, the top, and the bottom.
Because you can rotate it, a 3D model, once made, can be reused again and again from different angles using the same data. When a game character seems to move freely, or when you can spin a product 360° to inspect it, there is a 3D model working behind the scenes. We also cover the concrete steps for turning a 2D drawing into 3D data in How to Turn an Illustration into 3D.
What is inside a 3D model: mesh, texture, and material
Broadly speaking, a 3D model is made of the following three elements. The names may sound technical, but their roles are simple.
- Mesh (shape): A collection of many points (vertices) and the faces that connect them, representing the "shape" of the object itself. It helps to think of it as a bare form sculpted out of clay.
- Texture (surface image): An image wrapped onto the surface of the shape. A character's colors and patterns, and details like the eyes and mouth, are wrapped around the shape as this image.
- Material (surface quality): Settings for the "feel" of the surface, such as how it reflects light and whether it is glossy or rough. Even with the same shape and the same colors, the material can make it look metallic or like plastic.
Only when all three come together do you get "a three-dimensional object with a visible appearance." Some data contains only the shape, while some formats bundle colors and surface qualities into a single package you can carry around. That difference leads directly into the next topic: types.
Types of 3D models and their uses
The best format (file type) for a 3D model depends on what you want to use it for. Lining up the typical uses and their characteristics makes the division of roles clear.
| Use | What matters most | Common formats |
|---|---|---|
| Games | Lightweight data, motion, colors and surface qualities | glTF / GLB, FBX |
| Film and animation | Rich surface qualities, animation | FBX, USD |
| 3D views on websites | Convenience of carrying colors in one file | GLB / glTF |
| 3D printing | Accurate shapes that can be output as physical objects | STL, 3MF |
Of these, GLB (glTF), widely used for web display and file exchange, is a free, open standard defined by the Khronos Group (source: Khronos glTF official site, as of July 2026). Because colors and surface qualities fit into a single file, it is well suited to sharing. We explain it in detail in What Is a GLB File?. STL and 3MF, on the other hand, are formats for "outputting as a physical object" and are meant for 3D printing.
How to make a 3D model: three routes
There are three main routes to making a 3D model. Time and difficulty vary depending on your setup, so treat the following as honest rough guidelines only.
- Model it by hand (difficulty: fairly high / rough time: several hours to several days) This is the classic method: building a shape point by point and face by face in 3D software such as Blender (free and open source). Its appeal is the freedom to create exactly the shape you want, but you need to learn the controls and the way of thinking specific to 3D, so it takes time to get used to.
- Capture it with 3D scanning or photogrammetry (difficulty: medium / rough time: from a few dozen minutes, from shooting to generation) In this method, photos of a real object taken from many angles are stitched together, and the computer reconstructs the three-dimensional shape (the technique of building a 3D shape from photos is called photogrammetry). It lets you capture real-world objects, but the result depends on the shooting conditions (lighting, number of photos, and the surface of the subject).
- Generate it with AI (difficulty: fairly low / rough time: a few minutes) This newer method has AI automatically build a three-dimensional shape from a single image. Without learning any 3D software, you get a base 3D model just by preparing a drawing or photo. Figmee also takes this route: it generates a figurine-style image from the drawing or illustration you upload, then automatically creates a 3D model from it. How AI builds a 3D shape from an image is a topic in its own right, covering the mechanism behind image-to-3D AI.
How beginners can get started
Trying to build one yourself right away can feel daunting, but taking it step by step lowers the barrier considerably. We recommend two steps: "look first, then make."
Start by rotating an existing 3D model in your browser. If you load the file into an online 3D viewer that supports GLB, you can spin the object up, down, left, and right without installing anything.
Next, try making one from your own drawing or illustration with AI. Figmee works entirely in the browser and requires no special software or 3D knowledge. Upload a drawing and a figurine-style image is generated, from which a 3D model is created automatically. You can rotate the finished 3D model 360° right there, and if you like it, download it in GLB or 3MF format. You can also display your digital works in the gallery and look back at them anytime.
Frequently asked questions
What software can open a 3D model?
It depends on the format, but a GLB (glTF) file can be opened without installing anything, just by dragging and dropping it into an online 3D viewer in your browser. If you also want to edit it, the free Blender can import many formats, including glTF, FBX, and OBJ. STL and 3MF files for 3D printing are generally opened in slicer software made for printing.
Can I make a 3D model with just a smartphone?
Yes. Because Figmee runs entirely in the browser, you can make a 3D model from your smartphone's browser by uploading a paper drawing you photographed with your phone or a digital illustration. You do not need to install a dedicated app or own a high-performance computer.
Can I make one without any 3D knowledge?
Yes, you can. Modeling by hand requires specialized knowledge, but with the AI generation route, all you need to prepare is a drawing or illustration. Figmee is designed so that 3D-specific jargon never comes up, with a focus on letting you reach the end without getting lost.
What is the difference between a 3D model and an illustration?
An illustration is a flat picture seen from one direction, while a 3D model is three-dimensional data with a shape in space. Rotating an illustration will never reveal its back, but with a 3D model you can change the angle and see the sides and the back.
Summary
A 3D model is three-dimensional data that represents an object's shape in height, width, and depth, and can be viewed from any angle. It is made of a mesh (shape), textures (surface images), and materials (surface qualities), and suitable formats such as GLB and STL are chosen depending on the use. There are three routes to making one: modeling by hand, 3D scanning, and AI generation, and AI generation has the lowest barrier to entry.
Start by rotating a 3D model in your browser, then try making one from your own illustration with AI, and you will get a real feel for how easy 3D models are to work with.
