STYLE GUIDE

Top 10 3D Styles
for AI Art

Ways to Add Depth to Flat AI Images

📚 Useful Terms to Know First

Trompe l'oeil — French for "deceive the eye." A hyper-realistic optical illusion technique that makes things look real

High Relief — A sculptural technique where forms project significantly from the background, creating depth through deep shadows

Op Art — Short for Optical Art. Art that creates illusions of movement and depth through patterns

Low Poly — Simplified geometric forms made with few polygons. Has an origami-like feel

Shadow Box — A 3D art form that contains scenes within multi-layered frames

There are countless ways to create art, but some methods are particularly powerful at making flat surfaces feel three-dimensional. Through experimenting with AI tools and visual techniques, I've discovered which ones create the most convincing depth illusions.

From subtle layering to dramatic pop-out effects — let me introduce the best styles for creating 3D effects in 2D images!

🏆 Top 10 3D Styles for AI Art

Trompe l'Oeil Breakout Effect

🏅 Illusionary Depth | Illusionary Depth

Makes objects appear to escape from the surface using optical tricks. By enhancing light, shadow, and forced perspective, it provides the most powerful illusionary depth in digital art.

💡 Prompt Keywords: trompe l'oeil, breaking through, escaping the frame, forced perspective, optical illusion

Sculptural Painting

🗿 Textured Dimensional Surface | Sculptural Painting

By enhancing relief effects, painted elements appear to be physically embedded within the surface. Height variations and multi-layer compositions create strong depth perception.

💡 Prompt Keywords: sculptural painting, raised relief, textured surface, impasto, dimensional painting

High Relief Carving

🗿 Sculptural Protruding Depth | High Relief Carving

This sculptural technique enhances protrusion effects, making elements extend outward with noticeable tactile realism. Further enhanced by AI-generated surface texture refinement.

💡 Prompt Keywords: high relief, bas-relief, carved stone, sculptural depth, protruding elements

Resin Art

💧 Fluid & Embedded Depth | Resin Art

Resin effects use light refraction and multi-layer textures to make objects appear embedded within fluid movement or geological formations.

💡 Prompt Keywords: resin art, layered resin, embedded objects, light refraction, fluid layers, epoxy art

Shadow Boxes

📦 Framed Multi-Layer Worlds | Shadow Boxes

Combines sculptural relief with enclosed frames to create immersive layered scenes. Miniature worlds with strong perceived depth.

💡 Prompt Keywords: shadow box, diorama, layered frame, multi-tiered scene, framed depth

Papercraft

📄 Structural Layering Technique | Papercraft

AI-generated papercraft uses precision layering techniques to enhance tactile height variations and multi-dimensional stacking, making subjects appear physically embedded within the composition.

💡 Prompt Keywords: papercraft, paper layers, cut paper art, paper sculpture, kirigami, layered paper

Op Art Illusions

👁️ Perceived Dynamic Depth | Op Art Illusions

This technique makes flat surfaces appear to move. Adds depth through motion-driven perception shifts amplified by pattern distortion.

💡 Prompt Keywords: op art, optical illusion, kinetic pattern, geometric illusion, Bridget Riley style

Low Poly Paper Folding

📐 Geometric Faceted Forms | Low Poly Paper Folding

Uses carefully folded geometric forms to achieve stylized three-dimensional structures. Creates simple yet powerful dimensionality.

💡 Prompt Keywords: low poly, polygonal, faceted, geometric animal, paper folding, origami style

Transparent Layered Glass Art

🔮 Floating Visual Layers | Transparent Layered Glass Art

Replicates layered transparency effects to embed objects within glass media, creating floating, hovering depth illusions that feel physically layered.

💡 Prompt Keywords: layered glass, transparent layers, glass sculpture, suspended in glass, crystal depth

Snow Globes

🌐 Encapsulated Depth & Miniature Worlds | Snow Globes

AI-generated snow globes create self-contained environments with dimensions enhanced by curved glass distortion and layered miniature elements.

💡 Prompt Keywords: snow globe, glass dome, miniature world, encapsulated scene, curved glass distortion

✅ What AI Can Do

👍 Generate images that look like photos of real artwork
👍 Simulate textures like canvas, charcoal, pastel, and paper
👍 Simulate real materials and objects without actually needing them
👍 Capture the feel of physical depth and layering with lighting and shadows
👍 Blend multiple traditional techniques into one new style
👍 Mimic imperfections and natural variations to feel more authentic

🏅 Current Winners

The Trompe-l'œil breakout effect takes the lead for adaptability. You can push depth further, it works in countless settings, still captivates in 2D, and isn't bound by real material limitations.

Sculptural painting and high relief simulation are very impressive and earn bonus points for difficulty. They create amazing realism but are more niche, grounded in physical depth, and have slightly less wild possibilities.