---
title: "Creating 3D models"
description: "Turn a text description or a photo into a textured 3D model in Clip that you can rotate, inspect and download as GLB. Settings, cost and results."
url: https://clip.sg/docs/creating-3d
last_updated: 2026-09-16
---

# Creating 3D models

Clip turns a description or a photograph into a real, textured 3D model you can spin, inspect and download.

3D generation is on the paid plans.

## The generator

Pick **3D Generator** from the tool rail.

![The 3D generator](https://clip.sg/docs/images/3d-generator.webp)

### Text or image

A 3D request takes one or the other, not both:

- **Text** — describe the object. Good for props and concepts that don't exist yet.
- **Image** — turn a picture into a 3D model. Reliable, because the AI can see the thing. Some models take several photographs of the same object from different angles for a better result.

Models that only work from a picture say **image required** and lock the toggle to Image.

### Settings

What's on offer depends on the model, and only the controls it supports are shown:

- **Texture quality** and **texture size** — how detailed the surface is.
- **Geometry detail**, **topology**, **face limit** or **polygon count** — how dense the mesh is. Lower is lighter for games and the web; higher holds up under close inspection.
- **PBR** — physically based materials that respond properly to light in a 3D scene.

Some combinations are mutually exclusive and Clip won't let you set both.

### Cost

3D is cheaper than you'd expect — a straightforward image-to-3D pass runs around ⚡11 on the fastest model. Options like PBR materials and multiple input photographs add to it, and the button always shows the current total.

Generation takes minutes, and the highest-quality models can take fifteen or more. The node shows progress and an elapsed timer, and you can leave and come back.

## The result

The 3D model lands on the canvas as a card with a **3D** badge. Clip renders a thumbnail of the actual mesh so you can see what you got at a glance.

Select it and you get two actions:

- **View in 3D** — opens an interactive viewer. Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom, and inspect the model from any angle with proper lighting.
- **Download** — saves a `.glb` file, the standard format for games, product visualisation and 3D renders.

The ordinary image tools don't appear on a 3D model, because they operate on pixels and a mesh isn't pixels.

---

**Next:** [Creating audio](https://clip.sg/docs/creating-audio).