Free photo guide
How to photograph a subject for a 3D miniature
The Photo Coach reviews your photos before you spend time generating — and these four habits are what it checks for. Get them right and your first miniature comes out far cleaner.
Get personalised photo feedback — freeFour tips the Coach checks first
Use soft, even lighting
Shoot near a window on an overcast day, or under two lamps placed at 45 degrees to each side. Harsh overhead light creates deep shadows that the AI reads as detail — and then carves into your miniature.
Capture multiple angles
A front view and a back view are the minimum; add left and right sides if you can. The more viewpoints the AI has, the more accurate the reference sheets and the final 3D model will be.
Keep the background plain
A plain wall, sheet, or tabletop lets the AI find the subject's outline cleanly. Busy backgrounds make it guess where the figure ends, which shows up as lumpy edges on the print.
Avoid motion blur
Rest the camera on something solid and hold the subject still. Blur looks like soft detail, so the AI smooths it into rounded surfaces instead of crisp features like buttons, straps, or fur texture.
Not sure about your photos?
The Photo Coach is an AI assistant trained on Mini Maker 3D's generation pipeline. Upload a photo or describe your setup, and it tells you exactly what to fix before you generate — free for everyone.
Open the Photo Coach