Creating a 3D effect from a 2D image

Today, I would like to share the basic process I used to create a 3D effect starting from a 2D image.

Bytebot, a floating AI robot, holds a tray with a Wuburger burger

Cutting out the Layers

I first cut out the robot in about 10 separated pieces:

  • Robot base
  • Arm
  • 2 Ailerons
  • Tray
  • Burger
  • Fries
  • Drink
  • The other arm (the one further away from us)

Then I repeated the same process for some parts of the Background

Get the full setup for free on Gumroad.

In DaVinci Resolve Fusion, I set up a 3D environment where I placed each of these layers onto individual 3D planes. I made sure there was a good amount of space between each plane so that when the camera moves, it creates the illusion of depth and volume.

Above, we can see some of the layers connected to 3D plane nodes.

These nodes are then connected to a 3D merge node, and that is basically all that is needed for assembling this robot in the 3D environment.

This same system is used to re-assemble to background into this 3D scene.

Here is an overview of the full node graph.

As you can see in the GIF below, the distance between each layer, particularly for the robot, is sometimes exaggerated and does not necessarily follow their real-life distances.



Final Result


You can get the project file here on Gumroad.



If you pivot the camera and examine the distances, you will see that they may not make sense. There is a bit of creative cheating here for the sole purpose of producing the best visual result according to the camera movement.

What matters is not what is rational but what looks best in the final shot.

Once you’ve obtained the file, simply replace the drawings inside Fusion or overwrite the files to use with different art assets.

You can use this for your own YouTube videos, game splash screens, or sell it as a newly generated video.

If you encounter any difficulties or need assistance, or require special customization for your project, feel free to contact me directly at
contact@wuli.rocks

I’m sure we can figure out something that works well for both of us.

I hope this gives you some ideas on how to make an image more engaging, and I look forward to hearing from you if you have question, ideas or projects you’re working on.

I enjoy surrounding myself with creative people.

Thank you for reading!

✅ Who is Bytebot
✅ Meet the Captain of the Ship, Capthec
✅ What is Signal from Earth?
✅ Is there really a fast food on board?

— Wulirocks

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.