ItsLitho Alternatives: Lithophane Makers Compared
ItsLitho alternatives for photo lithophanes: the free Depthue image to STL tool, 3DP Rocks, and when a filament painting app is the better choice for color.
The short answer
ItsLitho is an excellent free lithophane maker with many shapes. If you want a private tool that never uploads the photo, the free Depthue image to STL tool makes flat, curved and closed cylinder lithophanes in your browser, and Depthue Studio adds night light tubes, exact sizes and print checks. For multicolor prints rather than white lithophanes, VoxelPrime plans filament colors for $8.
Disclosure: Depthue makes the options marked “By Depthue”. Each option is described from its own public documentation, including where it beats ours. Prices change; check each site before buying.
1.Depthue image to STL
By Depthue- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Private flat or curved lithophanes and reliefs
Runs in your browser with no upload. Lithophane, relief or depth map mode, flat, curved or a closed 360° cylinder for lamps, thickness, frame and resolution controls, backlit 3D preview and watertight STL.
2.Depthue Studio
By Depthue- Price
- Free; plans from $5 a month
- Best for
- Lithophanes as part of a bigger print job
Browser 3D workspace with flat, curved (bent to stand in a holder) and closed night light tube lithophanes from the photo's brightness. Add text or a stand, check the part against your build plate and export STL or 3MF. Photos stay on your device unless you save to the cloud.
3.ItsLitho
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Many lithophane shapes
Free web lithophane maker with flat, curved, lampshade and nightlight shapes, an image editor and color lithophane support.
4.3DP Rocks
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- A quick, simple lithophane
A long-standing free image to lithophane converter with basic shape and size settings.
5.VoxelPrime
By Depthue- Price
- $8 one-time
- Best for
- Multicolor filament prints
Desktop app for HueForge-style color reliefs and lithophanes that plans colors around your filament and guides manual swaps.
Side by side
| Depthue image to STL | Depthue Studio | ItsLitho | 3DP Rocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free; plans from $5/mo | Free | Free |
| Flat lithophane | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Curved lithophane | Yes | Yes, up to 360° | Yes | Yes |
| Lampshade / nightlight | Closed 360° cylinder | Night light tube | Yes | Not listed |
| Relief and depth map modes | Yes | Yes, plus coins and plaques | Not listed | Not listed |
| Backlit preview | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Photo uploaded | No | No, unless saved to the cloud | Check the site | Check the site |
Lithophane or filament painting?
A lithophane is one color, usually white, and the image appears only with light behind it. A filament painting stacks several colors and reads in normal light. They solve different jobs: lithophanes for lamps and window pieces, filament paintings for wall art.
Make a lithophane now
For step-by-step settings and fixes, read how to make a lithophane from a photo.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free lithophane maker?
ItsLitho has the most shapes. The Depthue image to STL tool is the private option: it builds the STL in your browser without uploading the photo.
Can I make a curved lithophane for free?
Yes. The Depthue image to STL tool, Depthue Studio, ItsLitho and 3DP Rocks all make curved lithophanes for free. The Depthue tool also makes a closed cylinder for lamps, and Studio a night light tube.
What settings should I print a lithophane with?
White PLA, 100 percent infill, 0.12 mm layers, 0.8 mm minimum and 3 mm maximum thickness, printed slowly. Upright printing gives the best detail.
Sources
Try VoxelPrime.
VoxelPrime is a desktop app that turns any image into a printable HueForge-style color relief or lithophane. It plans filament colors and swap heights, exports clean STL and works with single-extruder printers. $8 once, lifetime access.