Modly
Free local AI 3D model generator from any photo — fully offline, open source.
An unbeatable free option for local AI 3D generation from a single photo, ideal for indie devs and 3D printing hobbyists. The NVIDIA GPU requirement and desktop-only nature limit accessibility, but the privacy and zero cost are unmatched for quick prototyping.
- Indie game developers needing quick 3D assets from concept art
- 3D printing enthusiasts turning photos into STL files
- 3D artists generating base meshes for refinement in Blender
- Privacy-conscious creators who avoid cloud uploads
- Users without an NVIDIA GPU (AMD/Apple Silicon not supported)
- Projects requiring high-poly production-ready assets without post-processing
- Teams that need cloud-based sharing, API access, or collaborative workflows
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In short
Modly — Free local AI 3D model generator from any photo — fully offline, open source. Best for Indie game developers needing quick 3D assets from concept art, 3D printing enthusiasts turning photos into STL files, 3D artists generating base meshes for refinement in Blender. Free to use.
Viability Score
How likely is Modly to still be operational in 12 months? Based on 4 signals — momentum (how recently it shipped), wrapper dependency, revenue model, and web presence.
Last calculated: July 2026
How we score →Key Features
- AI 3D generation from single image
- Automatic background removal
- Export to GLB, OBJ, STL, PLY
- Built-in 3D model viewer
- Collections and workspace organization
- Offline operation – no internet required
- No account or credit system
- Privacy-first: no data uploads
- Supports Hunyuan3D 2 Mini model (available now)
- Planned support for Trellis and TripoSG (coming soon)
- Open source and hackable pipeline
- Desktop app for Windows, Mac, Linux
About Modly
Modly is a free, open-source desktop application that converts photos into 3D models entirely on your local GPU — no cloud, no account, no credits. It supports multiple export formats including GLB, OBJ, STL, and PLY for use in game engines, 3D printing, or 3D modeling software. The app uses state-of-the-art open-source AI models like Hunyuan3D 2 Mini (available now) and plans support for Trellis by Microsoft and TripoSG by Tripo AI. Automatic background removal and a built-in 3D viewer streamline the workflow from image to mesh. Modly targets indie game developers, 3D printing enthusiasts, and 3D artists who need quick, private, and free 3D asset generation. Its local-first approach ensures privacy — nothing is uploaded — and eliminates recurring costs. Unlike cloud-based alternatives like Meshy or CSM that charge $20–$60 per month, Modly runs entirely offline, requires an NVIDIA GPU, and imposes no quotas or subscription fees. The app is in active development with a growing community on Discord and GitHub.
Behind the Verdict
Modly delivers on its promise: free, private, local 3D generation from any photo. It's a solid tool for indie developers who need placeholder assets fast, or for 3D printing enthusiasts turning photos into STLs without a scanner. The support for Hunyuan3D 2 Mini is a plus, and upcoming models like Trellis and TripoSG promise better quality. However, you need an NVIDIA GPU — no AMD, no Apple Silicon — which cuts out a big chunk of users. The output meshes are decent for base models but often require cleanup in Blender before production use. Compared to cloud rivals like Meshy, Modly wins on privacy and cost but loses on convenience (no web app, no API) and polish. We'd recommend it as a first pass for concept art or quick prototypes, but not for final assets. The active Discord community and open-source nature mean frequent updates and customizability. If you have the hardware and value privacy, it's a no-brainer at $0.
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Use Cases
- Generate a 3D model of a product prototype from a single photo for quick iteration.
- Convert character concept art into a GLB asset for Unity or Unreal Engine prototyping.
- Turn a photo of a real object into an STL file for 3D printing within minutes.
- Create a base mesh from a reference image to speed up sculpting in Blender or ZBrush.
- Populate game levels with instant 3D objects derived from concept sketches or photographs.
- Experiment with local AI 3D generation for learning or personal projects without cloud costs.
Models Under the Hood
as of 2026-07-15
Limitations
- Modly requires an NVIDIA GPU with sufficient VRAM; no CPU-only mode is available.
- It is currently desktop-only for Windows and Linux (macOS coming soon) and lacks API access.
- Generated meshes may need cleanup for high-quality production use.
12-month cost
Project the real annual outlay, including the implied monthly cost when only an annual tier is published.
Vendor list price only. Add-on usage, seat overages, and contract minimums are surfaced under Hidden costs & gotchas.
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