Microsoft just quietly launched a fascinating new AI tool called Copilot 3D, a free feature that can turn a simple 2D image into a fully realized 3D model. The tool is designed to be used for everything from game creation and animation to 3D printing and virtual reality.
The process is surprisingly simple. You need to upload a clean 2D image—Microsoft recommends using photos with a clear background—and the AI does the rest. You don’t even need to use any text prompts. The tool then spits out a 3D model that you can download and use in various design programs.
So how well does it work? In early tests, it performs significantly better with objects than with living things. It can successfully turn a picture of a piece of furniture into a 3D model you could place in an augmented reality app, but it struggles with animals and people. One reporter who tested the feature found it hilariously messed up a 3D model of his dog.
The tool also has some clear safety rules. It refused to create 3D models of famous people like Taylor Swift or Tim Cook, and Microsoft warns users not to upload images of people without their consent or copyrighted material.
Copilot 3D is still a preview feature, so it’s not perfect yet. But it’s available for free to all Copilot users on the web, giving everyone a powerful new way to experiment with 3D creation.
