How to Turn 2D Images into 3D with GIMP and G'MIC

Hello! In today's tutorial, we're going to explore how to turn 2D images into 3D using GIMP with the G'MIC filter. This method adds highlights and shadows to your images, giving them a 3D appearance without actually rendering them in 3D. Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Create a New Image

1. Open GIMP and go to File > New.
2. Set the image dimensions to 1920x1080 and press OK.
3. Zoom out using the Minus key on your keyboard.
4. Change the background color to white by dragging the foreground color to the canvas.

Step 2: Import and Prepare the Image

1. Import your image by dragging it into the GIMP workspace. For this example, we’ll use a heart image.
2. Right-click on the image layer and select Layer to Image Size.

Step 3: Apply the G'MIC Filter

1. Go to Filters > G'MIC.
2. Navigate to Light and Shadows and scroll down to find Illuminate 2D Shape.
3. Adjust the settings as needed:
   • Blending Mode: Hard Light
   • Bump Factor: Adjust as needed
   • Light Source: Move the light on the X and Y axes to get the desired effect.
4. Ensure Input Layers is set to Active and Output Mode is set to New Layer.
5. Press OK to apply the filter.

Step 4: Clean Up the Edges

1. Hide the original heart layer by clicking the eye icon next to it.
2. Select the G'MIC layer.
3. Right-click on the original heart layer and select Alpha to Selection.
4. Go to Select > Invert and press the Delete key to remove the edges.
5. Go to Select > None.

Step 5: Adjust Opacity and Layer Mode

1. Adjust the Opacity of the G'MIC layer to 75%.
2. Set the Layer Mode to Hard Light.
3. Zoom out using the Minus key on your keyboard to see the effect.

Step 6: Create and Compare Layers

1. Right-click on the top layer and select New from Visible.
2. Hide the G'MIC layer.
3. Use the Move Tool to position the new layer for comparison with the original.

Step 7: Apply the Filter to Another Image

1. Import another image, like a star, and repeat the same steps.
2. Scale down the image using the Scale Tool while holding the Ctrl key to maintain proportions.
3. Apply the G'MIC filter as before.

Step 8: Add a Drop Shadow

1. Select the heart layer and go to Filters > Light and Shadow > Drop Shadow.
2. Adjust the X Offset to match the light source direction.
3. Set the opacity to your preference and press OK.
   

Watch the Tutorial

For a more detailed walkthrough, check out our YouTube video below. This video provides a visual guide to Convert Images to Outlines in GIMP.

 

Conclusion

And that’s it! You’ve successfully turned 2D images into 3D using GIMP and the G'MIC filter. This method is a quick and effective way to add depth to your images. Thanks for following along, and happy editing!

 

Heart Image Link : Click Me

Star Image Link : Click Me


Download GIMP : Click Me

Download G'MIC : Click Me