3D Compositing in ArtCraft: Build Scenes with Real Depth
Stage backdrops, props, and characters in real 3D space, set the camera, and let an image model turn the blockout into a finished shot.
By ArtCraft Tips Editorial TeamLast updated 3 min read
Prompting is great for exploring ideas, but terrible at exact layouts. "A red chair in front of a bookshelf, slightly to the right, with a lamp behind it" is a coin toss. ArtCraft's 3D tools let you put the chair there yourself. The official site sums it up: "Block complex scenes with intentional geometry instead of fighting prompts."
The 3D toolkit
ArtCraft's README lists several features that work together on the 3D stage:
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| 3D image compositing | Layer backdrops, foregrounds, and props in 3D to build compositions with depth |
| Image to 3D mesh | Turn an image into a 3D object you can position, rotate, and frame precisely |
| Scene blocking with kitbashing | Combine 3D asset kits to control camera angles, object placement, and depth |
| Mixed asset crafting | Combine image cutouts, worlds, and 3D meshes in one scene |
| Background removal | Isolate subjects to use as props, layers, or backdrops |
Step by step: compose a scene in 3D
Gather your assets
Collect or generate the images you need: a backdrop, a few props, and a character. Run background removal on anything that should become a cutout or a mesh.
Convert key props to 3D meshes
Use image to 3D mesh on objects you want to rotate or view from different angles. Flat cutouts are fine for things that only face the camera, such as distant buildings or wall art.
Block the scene
Place the backdrop at the back, props in the middle ground, and foreground elements close to the camera. Use asset kits to fill out the set quickly.
Add characters
Pose mannequins where your characters should be. The character posing tutorial covers this step in detail.
Frame the camera
Choose the angle and distance. Small camera moves change the composition a lot, so try a few framings.
Render with an image model
Render the shot and describe the style, lighting, and materials in the prompt. The 3D layout controls where things are; the prompt controls how they look.
Choosing a 3D mesh model
ArtCraft's catalog includes 11 mesh models. Here is the live status of the largest family:
Hunyuan 3D models in ArtCraft · 3D meshes
Full catalog →- Hunyuan 3D 2.0Available
- Hunyuan 3D 2.1Available
- Hunyuan 3D 3Available
- Hunyuan 3D 3 SketchAvailable
- Hunyuan 3D 3.1 ProAvailable
- Hunyuan 3D 3.1 RapidAvailable
- Hunyuan 3D 3.1 PartAvailable
- Hunyuan 3D 3.1 Smart TopologyAvailable
Status from the official ArtCraft README, refreshed automatically once a day.
The others are Tripo3D H3.1, Meshy 6, and Rodin 2.5 Fast. As a rule of thumb, use a fast model to block a scene and a higher-quality model for hero props that sit close to the camera. The Hunyuan 3D guide compares the variants.
Composition tips for 3D scenes
- Build three depth layers. A clear foreground, middle ground, and background make any image feel deeper. A blurred object close to the lens is an easy way to add the foreground.
- Use the rule of thirds. Put the main subject on a third line, not dead center, unless you want a formal, symmetrical look.
- Overlap objects. Objects partly hiding each other read as being at different distances.
- Match the scale. Check that props are the right size relative to characters. Image models faithfully render a mug the size of a chair if that is what you staged.
- Light in the prompt. The blockout rarely has final lighting, so describe it: "golden hour light from the right, long shadows, warm haze."
Mixing cutouts, meshes, and worlds
The mixed asset approach lets you use the cheapest asset type that does the job:
| Asset type | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Image cutout | Backgrounds, signs, distant objects | Looks flat if the camera moves too far to the side |
| 3D mesh | Props and characters you view from different angles | Costs a mesh generation |
| World (Gaussian splat) | Whole environments you film from many angles | Costs a world generation; see Image to Location |
Tip
Start with cutouts everywhere, then upgrade only the objects that look wrong when you move the camera. It keeps both credits and setup time down.
Frequently asked questions
Which 3D models does ArtCraft use for image to 3D mesh?
The README lists 11 mesh models: eight Hunyuan 3D variants from Tencent, plus Tripo3D H3.1, Meshy 6, and Rodin 2.5 Fast.
What is kitbashing?
Kitbashing means building a scene from ready-made parts. In ArtCraft, scene blocking with kitbashing combines 3D asset kits so you can control camera angles, object placement, and depth before rendering.
Does the final image look like a 3D render?
No. The 3D scene is a guide for composition and depth. An image model renders the final shot in whatever style you prompt, from photoreal to painterly.