# Project Turntable: Adobe’s Revolutionary AI Tool for Converting 2D Vectors into 3D Models
In recent times, artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the creative sector, introducing technologies that significantly decrease the time and effort needed for tasks that were once quite laborious. From enhancing incomplete segments of images to removing undesired elements without disturbing the background, AI-enabled tools have become crucial for artists and designers. Yet, Adobe’s newest advancement, **Project Turntable**, elevates this concept further by turning 2D vector images into entirely posable 3D models—a true breakthrough for digital creators.
## The Wonders of Project Turntable
Revealed at the **Adobe MAX 2024 conference**, Project Turntable is an innovative tool that employs machine learning to change flat 2D vector illustrations into 3D models that can be rotated and viewed from various perspectives. This innovation enables artists to adjust their creations in manners that were formerly time-intensive or even unfeasible without specialized 3D modeling expertise.
During a **five-minute demonstration** given by Adobe researcher **Zhiqin Chen**, the tool was illustrated using a 2D vector depiction of a warrior engaged in battle with a dragon. In the past, if the artist wished to reorient the warrior to confront the dragon, they would have had to redraw the character from another angle—a task that could consume hours. However, with Project Turntable, Chen merely selected the warrior, clicked a “generate views” button, and in mere seconds, the tool produced a 3D model of the warrior that could be rotated vertically. The outcome? A complete 360-degree view of the character, showcasing previously hidden angles such as the back of the warrior’s head and side aspects of his sword.
## How It Operates
Project Turntable utilizes machine learning algorithms trained on extensive datasets comprising 3D models and 2D illustrations. When a 2D vector image is entered into the system, the AI extrapolates the concealed sections of the object, filling in the voids to generate a realistic 3D model. The tool can perform both horizontal and vertical rotations, although the vertical rotations are presently constrained compared to the full 360-degree horizontal spins.
In the demonstration, Chen further showcased how the tool could modify multiple angles of a single object all at once. For instance, after adjusting the original 2D vector of a bat, the AI automatically refreshed all the different viewpoints of the bat, sparing the artist from the need to manually change each angle.
## A Preview into the Future of Digital Art
The potential implications of Project Turntable are extensive, particularly for artists who create 2D illustrations yet require 3D assets for animations, gaming, or virtual settings. The capability to swiftly generate 3D models from 2D vectors could save significant amounts of time and unlock new avenues for creativity.
Throughout the demo, the tool was employed on an array of objects, from symmetrical beings like dragons and horses to more intricate designs such as a bread basket and a quirky character named “Fry Man”—a personified cup of fries complete with arms, legs, and a face. In each instance, the AI performed impressively well in filling in the unseen components of the model, such as the underside of Fry Man’s shoes or the full assembly of legs on the side-view horse.
Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that the demo was carefully controlled, and the models were likely selected to emphasize the tool’s capabilities. In the absence of a public version of Project Turntable for testing, it remains unclear how effectively it would manage more complicated or abstract designs that don’t closely align with the objects in its training datasets.
## A Tool for Creators, Not a Substitute
One of the most thrilling features of Project Turntable is that it enhances, rather than supplants, the efforts of human artists. While AI-generated art has stirred debate over its potential to replace human creativity, Project Turntable functions differently. It takes an artist’s original 2D creation and augments it, enabling the artist to retain authority over the style and design. As Adobe underscores, the vector graphics remain faithful to the original shape, ensuring that the artist’s vision is preserved even after the image is transformed.
This differentiation is vital in an industry where numerous artists express concerns regarding the rise of AI-generated content. Project Turntable provides a method for artists to optimize their workflow without diminishing their creative contribution. As **Ars Creative Director Aurich Lawson** noted after experiencing the demo, “That’s wizardry. I don’t know how well it really works—I bet not nearly as good as that demo a lot of the time—but I’m impressed.”
## Will Project Turntable Be Accessible to the Public?
Currently, Project Turntable remains in the experimental stage and has not been made available to the public. Adobe has yet to disclose a timeline for when, or if, the tool will be commercially accessible. However, considering the enthusiastic feedback
