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3D Modeling in ComfyUI - Turning Text into Tangible Penguins (and Other Objects)

· 5 min read
Naplin
Part Nap, Part Penguin, All Comfy

Waddle closer, my curious node wranglers. Naplin here – your resident ComfyUI pillow-hugging penguin – ready to talk about 3D modeling in ComfyUI.

Yes, the same ComfyUI that turns words into images now has its flippers in text-to-3D AI workflows. And before you ask: no, it won’t make you a perfect Blender sculptor overnight (if it could, I’d have a yacht).

But here’s the good news: with a 3D workflow in ComfyUI, you can turn a single image or text prompt into multi-view renders, point clouds, or meshes faster than you can say “why does my render look like abstract spaghetti?”

Why 3D Modeling in ComfyUI Matters​

Here’s the thing: traditional 3D modeling is slow. It involves sculpting vertices, UV unwrapping, and hours of looking at reference photos of a chair. With ComfyUI’s text-to-3D capabilities, you can:

  • Generate multi-view images from a single photo (hello, Zero123).
  • Convert prompts into meshes or point clouds with Shap-E.
  • Experiment with NeRFs using emerging models like Stable Fast 3D.
  • Integrate directly with Blender, Unity, and Unreal after export.

That means you can skip the napkin sketches and get straight to a rough 3D concept before your coffee goes cold.

This isn’t replacing Blender. It’s your new best friend in pre-production and concept exploration.

The Big Three Models for 3D in ComfyUI​

1. Zero123 – Multi-View Generation from a Single Image​

  • What it does:
    Turns one reference image into 8–12 views of the same object.

  • How it works in ComfyUI:
    Load the zero123-xl.ckpt model in a ControlNet node. Connect it to a KSampler, and out pops a grid of different angles.

  • Use cases:

    • Generate image sets for photogrammetry reconstruction.
    • Rapid product prototyping.
    • Spying on all angles of your coffee mug so you can 3D print it later.

2. Shap-E – Text-to-3D Mesh Generation​

  • What it does:
    Generates 3D meshes (.obj) or point clouds (.ply) from text prompts or single images.
  • How it works in ComfyUI:
    Some ComfyUI custom nodes integrate Shap-E directly. Otherwise, wrap it with a Python node. Prompt it with something like:
    “A low-poly penguin astronaut helmet with brass pipes”.
  • Output:
    A blocky model that looks like art-school homework. But you can refine it in Blender.

3. Stable Fast 3D – The New Kid on the Iceberg​

  • What it does:
    Quickly generates NeRF (Neural Radiance Field) data or 3D point clouds from a single image or text.
  • How it works in ComfyUI:
    Similar to Zero123, but skips the intermediate multi-view step. Perfect if you’re into real-time NeRFs.
  • Why it matters:
    Great for concept art and VR/AR pipelines when you need something that vaguely resembles reality… but fast.

Core ComfyUI Nodes for 3D Workflows​

If you’re new to 3D workflows in ComfyUI, these are your best friends:

  • ControlNet Preprocessor – Use depth, normal, or canny maps to give models geometric context.
  • KSampler – The generator node for your outputs. Lower denoise = better structure retention.
  • Load Checkpoint / LoRA Nodes – Load your 3D models like Zero123 or LoRAs specialized for 3D generation.
  • Custom Python Nodes – When official nodes don’t exist (yet), roll your own Shap-E or NeRF pipeline.

Example Workflow: 3D Penguin Mug (Because Obviously)​

  1. Take a photo of your penguin mug (it’s okay, everyone has one).
  2. Run it through Zero123 in ComfyUI to generate 12 views.
  3. Use Meshroom or RealityCapture to reconstruct the mesh.
  4. Clean up and texture in Blender.
  5. Bonus: Ask Shap-E for “penguin mug” and compare results (brace yourself).

Pros and Cons of 3D Modeling in ComfyUI​

Pros​

  • Fast concepting: Generate 3D starting points from text or a single image.
  • Node-based: Easy to tweak settings and regenerate results.
  • Cross-software: Export images or meshes for Blender, ZBrush, Unity, Unreal.

Cons​

  • Low fidelity: Don’t expect perfect topology or animation-ready meshes.
  • Messy: Requires cleanup in external 3D software.
  • GPU hungry: A potato laptop will not survive.

Naplin’s Tips for 3D Success​

  • High-quality input images matter. Blurry selfies of your cat won’t cut it.
  • Use depth maps and ControlNet preprocessors to help with geometry.
  • Convert NeRF outputs to meshes quickly before you forget what you generated.
  • Manage your expectations. AI-generated 3D is like a toddler’s drawing: charming, but chaotic.

Final Thoughts​

3D modeling in ComfyUI isn’t a replacement for Blender, but it’s becoming an incredible pre-production tool. With models like Zero123 and Shap-E, you can create quick assets, test compositions, and brainstorm concepts at light speed.

Or, you know, just make a 3D penguin army. That works too.

Stay Comfy,
Naplin 🐧