# Depth Map Generator

Generate depth maps from images using brightness, saturation, and edge analysis. Creates grayscale depth maps where lighter pixels indicate closer objects and darker pixels indicate further objects.

> Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/image-depth-map

- **Category:** Design

- **Keywords:** image, depth, map, 3d, disparity, distance, stereo, pseudo-depth, grayscale

## Overview

The Depth Map Generator creates grayscale depth maps from standard images by analyzing visual cues like brightness, saturation, and object boundaries. By mapping lighter pixels to closer objects and darker pixels to the background, it provides a functional disparity map suitable for 3D effects, post-processing, and spatial analysis.

## Inputs

- **Image File** (file): Upload an image to generate its depth map
- **Depth Calculation Method** (select): Algorithm used to calculate depth values
- **Invert Depth Map** (checkbox): Invert the depth map (dark = close, light = far)
- **Enhance Edges** (checkbox): Apply edge detection to enhance object boundaries in depth map
- **Smooth Blur** (range): Apply gaussian blur to smooth the depth map
- **Brightness Weight** (range): How much brightness affects depth calculation (combined mode only)
- **Saturation Weight** (range): How much color saturation affects depth calculation (combined mode only)
- **Edge Weight** (range): How much edges affect depth calculation (combined mode only)
- **Output Format** (select): Output image format for depth map
- **Quality (1-100)** (number): Quality setting for lossy formats (JPEG, WebP)

## When to use

- When you need a grayscale disparity map for 3D photo effects or parallax animations.
- When preparing assets for depth-aware post-processing in design software to simulate lens blur.
- When you need to isolate foreground elements based on visual depth cues like brightness and saturation.

## How it works

- Upload a supported image file such as a PNG, JPEG, WebP, BMP, or TIFF.
- Select a calculation method like Brightness Based, Saturation Based, or the Combined algorithm to analyze pixel data.
- Adjust weights for brightness, saturation, and edges to fine-tune how different image properties influence the depth estimation.
- Apply optional smoothing blur or edge enhancement before exporting the result as a lossless PNG or other preferred format.

## Use cases

- Creating depth masks for 2D-to-3D image conversion in video editing software.
- Generating displacement maps for 3D modeling and texture rendering applications.
- Developing interactive 3D photos for social media platforms that respond to device tilting.

## Frequently asked questions

### What do the colors in the depth map represent?

By default, lighter pixels represent objects closer to the camera, while darker pixels represent objects further away.

### Can I reverse the depth orientation?

Yes, use the 'Invert Depth Map' checkbox to make dark pixels represent close objects and light pixels represent far objects.

### Which calculation method is best?

The 'Combined' method is recommended as it balances brightness, saturation, and edge detection for a more accurate result.

### Does this tool use AI for depth estimation?

No, it uses deterministic algorithms based on image properties like brightness, saturation, hue, and edge analysis.

### What is the maximum file size supported?

The tool supports image file uploads up to 20 MB.

## Related tools

- [Red-Cyan 3D Anaglyph Generator](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/image-anaglyph): Generate red-cyan 3D anaglyph images from regular photos. Creates stereoscopic 3D images viewable with red-cyan 3D glasses.
- [Image Difference](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/image-difference): Calculate the difference between two images to identify changes or create comparison masks
- [Parallax Animation Generator](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/image-parallax): Generate parallax animations from images. Creates depth-based animation where different layers move at different speeds, creating a 3D effect.
- [Image Color Extractor](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/image-color-extractor): Extract dominant colors from images using various algorithms including k-means clustering and histogram analysis
- [Image Boolean AND](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/image-boolean-and): Apply bitwise AND operation between two images to create intersection mask
- [Image Emboss Kernel](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/image-emboss-kernel): Apply emboss convolution kernel to create 3D raised surface effects on images
- [Image Multiply Blend](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/image-multiply): Apply multiply blend mode between two images to create shadow effects and darken colors
- [Image Overlay Blend](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/image-overlay): Apply overlay blend mode between two images to enhance contrast and create dramatic effects

## Samples

- [Web Image Processing Python Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/web-image-processing-python): Web Python image processing examples using PIL/Pillow including reading, saving, resizing, and format conversion
- [Android Image Processing Java Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/android-image-processing-java): Android Java image processing examples including reading/saving images, scaling, and format conversion
- [Android Image Processing Kotlin Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/android-image-processing-kotlin): Android Kotlin image processing examples including reading/saving images, scaling, and format conversion
- [Web Image Processing Rust Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/web-image-processing-rust): Web Rust image processing examples including image read/save, scaling, and format conversion