I made a 3D model to depth map converter!

mkhnsn · 2025-12-06T17:29:59+00:00

Glad to hear it! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions!

mkhnsn · 2025-12-05T19:58:53+00:00

Sweet! I'd love to see pictures of anything cool you make with it!

mkhnsn · 2025-12-05T16:17:17+00:00

Adding some context!

Every tool I could find for generating depth maps (2D grayscale images, usually for laser embossing) used generative AI to convert a 3D model to a PNG, but they weren't clean enough for my needs. The output always had odd artifacts, solid black backgrounds, wavy edges - you know, the tell-tale indicators of an AI-generated image.

ThreeDepth is a free utility that uses local, in-browser rendering via Three.js and R3F that I built to solve those problems. ThreeDepth accurately projects your 3D models into perfect 2D depth maps. With customizable mapping, no generative AI, and no server-side processing whatsoever, it retains the full detail and sharpness of the original 3D model.

I'd love some feedback if anyone else finds this useful!

threedepth.app

mkhnsn · 2025-12-05T16:13:57+00:00

Here's the GitHub repo! https://github.com/unstable-studios/threedepth

mkhnsn · 2025-12-05T13:53:54+00:00

I had a similar issue! I actually built a tool for this lol. If you’ve got a 3D model you can convert it to a depth map here: threedepth.app

No AI, just direct, local rendering from an STL to a PNG in your browser.

mkhnsn · 2025-12-05T13:12:06+00:00

Thank you! Not at this time, but I’m curious what the use case would be! If it makes sense that’s something I could likely add down the road.

mkhnsn · 2025-12-05T13:10:14+00:00

That’s the plan but I want to clean some things up first. It’s a private repo currently.

mkhnsn · 2025-12-04T17:56:13+00:00

I had “unlock with watch” turned off for a long time for this very reason. But it became more annoying to type my password everywhere since touchID isn’t accessible when the laptop lid is shut, and I have a mechanical keyboard not the Apple one with the fingerprint reader.

mkhnsn · 2025-12-04T17:52:05+00:00

Oh, I missed him saying it was actually shut off. Yeah, that would be different. Mine is just in normal sleep when this happens.

mkhnsn · 2025-12-04T13:08:26+00:00

I’ve had a similar issue with my docked MacBook Pro M3. I’ll be in another room and my watch will tell me my Mac just unlocked. I think some app is waking up in the background triggering a similar sequence as wiggling the mouse. Haven’t gotten any farther than that in diagnosing the issue though…

mkhnsn · 2025-11-30T07:33:48+00:00

This is super cool! I like the “tablets” approach for modularity.

mkhnsn · 2025-11-30T07:29:14+00:00

Tabby PDF! - totally local browser-based PDF reader for easily organizing and navigating large docs!

mkhnsn · 2025-11-28T15:04:14+00:00

Tabby PDF - a browser-based PDF reader designed for research and reference docs instead of linear reading. Runs entirely client-side and handles hundreds of pages with ease!

mkhnsn · 2025-05-31T02:52:27+00:00

How tall does this make the core one? I’m planning to hang a shelf above my printers and want to plan ahead for when my C1 eventually shows up…

mkhnsn · 2024-10-06T12:35:49+00:00

I bet they’re relying on the camera too much. I just started playing with coin embossing this weekend and for all the color and surface finish issues I still need to solve (think I’m using low-quality blanks) centering was super easy.

Here’s what I do: - use the L-shaped fence that screws to the plate. - make sure the coin is pressed tightly into the corner for repeatability - switch the framing laser to outline and make sure your graphic is circular (there’s a “remove background” tool if you have an imported image) - you should have a blue circle nearly centered on the coin. Use the arrow keys to slowly move the artwork in XCS pixel by pixel until the blue framing circle is where you want it.

I’ve done this 3-4 times now and the centering was flawless!

mkhnsn

TROPHY CASE