Getting Started
Updated May 2026
Welcome! This quickstart gets you from zero to a finished 3D model in about five minutes. Everything runs in your browser - no downloads, no installs, no credit card required.
1. Create your account
Go to 3daistudio.com and click Get Started. Sign up with email or Google - takes about 10 seconds. You get free credits immediately, so you can jump straight into generating.
The signup modal with email and social login options for creating your 3D AI Studio account.
2. Your Dashboard
After signing in you land on the Dashboard. This is home base - every model you generate shows up here as a card you can preview, download, or process further.
The 3D AI Studio dashboard showing your tools, recent generations, and model cards.
Look at the top-left corner for your credit balance. Credits are what you spend each time you generate a model. The free credits you got at signup are enough to try several generations.
The credit balance display in the top-left corner of the dashboard.
3. Your first Text to 3D model
Let’s generate something. Click Text to 3D in the sidebar (or go to /TextTo3D).
- Write a prompt - Describe what you want. Keep it specific: “a medieval treasure chest with gold trim” works better than “a chest”. Mention materials, style, and details.
- Pick a model - You’ll see these options:
- Prism 3.1 - Best quality, 35 credits, 3-5 minutes
- Prism Turbo - Great balance of speed and quality, 25 credits, 50-90 seconds
- Swift - Fastest at 20-40 seconds (20 credits), lower detail - good for testing prompts quickly
- Hit Generate and wait for your model to appear.
Start with Prism Turbo if you want fast results with solid quality. Use Swift to iterate on prompt wording, then switch to Prism 3.1 for your final version.
Quick prompt tips:
- Be specific about materials: “brushed steel”, “weathered wood”, “matte ceramic”
- Mention style: “low-poly”, “realistic”, “stylized cartoon”
- See the full Prompt Tips guide for more
4. Your first Image to 3D model
Got a photo, sketch, or AI-generated image? You can turn it directly into a 3D model.
Click Image to 3D in the sidebar (or go to /ImageTo3D).
- Upload your image - Drag it in or click to browse. For best results, use a clear shot of a single object on a simple background.
- Choose your AI model - Same options as Text to 3D (Prism 3.1, Prism Turbo, or Swift).
The model selection grid showing available AI models for Image to 3D generation.
- Click Generate and watch the progress bar.
A generation in progress, showing the progress bar and estimated time.
Multi-image mode: Upload photos from multiple angles (front, side, back) and the AI combines them for a more accurate reconstruction. Great for real objects you’ve photographed.
The multi-image upload mode for combining photos from multiple angles into one 3D model.
5. Preview and export
Once generation finishes, your model appears in the built-in 3D viewer. Rotate by dragging, zoom with the scroll wheel.
The interactive 3D viewer showing a completed model you can rotate, zoom, and download.
Happy with the result? Download it in any format:
| Format | Best for |
|---|---|
| GLB | Web, AR, general use (default) |
| FBX | Unity, Unreal Engine, Maya |
| OBJ | Blender, ZBrush, universal |
| STL | 3D printing |
| USDZ | Apple AR (iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro) |
| BLEND | Native Blender projects |
| 3MF | Color 3D printing |
Click the Download button on your model card and pick the format you need. That’s it - your 3D model is ready to use.
6. Next steps
You’ve got the basics down. Here’s where to go from here:
- Image Studio - Generate and edit reference images before converting to 3D. This two-step workflow (perfect image first, then convert) gives you the most control over your final model.
- Prompt Tips - Write better prompts, get better models.
- Texture Generator - Add or swap PBR textures on any model.
- Workflow Examples - Full start-to-finish workflows for games, printing, e-commerce.
- Export & Formats - Detailed breakdown of every format and when to use it.
Questions? Join the Discord community or email support@3daistudio.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3D AI Studio free to use?
Yes, you can start for free. 3D AI Studio gives you free credits when you sign up, enough to generate several 3D models without entering a credit card. After your free credits are used, you can purchase more or subscribe to a plan for ongoing use.
How many free credits do you get with 3D AI Studio?
New accounts receive free credits on signup that let you try multiple generations right away. The exact amount may vary, but it is typically enough for 3-5 model generations depending on which AI model you choose. 3D AI Studio shows your credit balance in the top-left corner of the dashboard.
Do I need 3D modeling experience to use 3D AI Studio?
No experience needed at all. 3D AI Studio runs entirely in your browser - just type a description or upload an image and the AI generates a complete 3D model for you. There is no software to install and no technical knowledge required. The whole process takes about 2-5 minutes from signup to downloading your first model.
What are the system requirements for 3D AI Studio?
3D AI Studio runs in your web browser, so you do not need a powerful computer. Any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) with WebGL support works. A stable internet connection is recommended since the AI processing happens on the server side, not on your device.
Which AI model should I pick for my first generation?
Start with Prism Turbo for a good balance of speed and quality at 25 credits. It generates in about 50-90 seconds. 3D AI Studio also offers Swift (20 credits, fastest, lower detail) for quick prompt testing, and Prism 3.1 (35 credits, best quality) for final production models.
What is the difference between Text to 3D and Image to 3D?
Text to 3D generates a model from a written description like “a medieval treasure chest with gold trim.” Image to 3D converts a photo, sketch, or illustration into a 3D model. In 3D AI Studio, Image to 3D generally produces more accurate results when you have a specific look in mind, while Text to 3D is great for quick concept exploration.
Can I use 3D AI Studio models commercially?
Yes. Models you generate with 3D AI Studio are yours to use in commercial projects, including games, apps, product visualization, and 3D printing. Check the terms of service on 3daistudio.com for the full details on licensing and usage rights.
How is 3D AI Studio different from other AI 3D generators?
3D AI Studio offers multiple AI models to choose from (Prism, Swift, Hunyuan, Trellis), built-in tools for texturing, rigging, remeshing, and format conversion, plus direct integrations with Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, and more. It is an all-in-one platform rather than just a single generation tool. You can go from prompt to game-ready asset without leaving the site.
What file formats can I download my models in?
3D AI Studio supports 9 export formats: GLB, FBX, OBJ, STL, USDZ, BLEND, 3MF, Collada (.dae), and PLY. GLB is the default and works almost everywhere. Use FBX for game engines, STL for 3D printing, and USDZ for Apple AR. See the Export Formats page for a detailed comparison.