Guide

# What makes a good reference image for image to 3D?

publish date | Hydrilla Team

A good reference shows one subject, whole and in focus, against a plain background in soft, even light, from a slight angle rather than flat on. The clearer its outline, the less guessing [image to 3D →](https://hydrilla.ai/image-to-3d) in Hydrilla AI does.

## Subject, framing, and light

Let the object fill most of the frame, with a small margin on every side. A three-quarter angle shows two faces and a sense of depth. Avoid hard shadows and strong reflections, which can read as shape. A sharp phone photo is enough.

Good example caption: One chair, three-quarter view, plain wall, soft daylight, nothing cropped.
Poor example caption: The same chair cut off at the legs, in a busy room, under hard window light.

## The sides the camera can't see

A single image can't show the back of an object, so the model has to infer it. When the hidden side matters, pick the angle that shows the faces you care about most.

## Before you upload

- One subject, with nothing touching it
- Sharp at full size, without blur or heavy compression
- The whole object in frame, with every edge visible
- A plain background that contrasts with the subject
- Even light, without blown highlights or colored casts