Turning a Photo into a 1/7 Scale PVC Figurine with Bandai-Style Packaging

The Prompt

Gemini 2.5 Flash

Using the nano-banana model, create a 1/7 scale commercialized figurine of the characters in the picture, in a realistic style, in a real environment.

The figurine is placed on a computer desk. The figurine has a round transparent acrylic base, with no text on the base. The content on the computer screen is the brush modeling process of this figurine. Next to the computer screen is a BANDAI-style toy packaging box printed with the original artwork. The packaging features two-dimensional flat illustrations.

Please turn this photo into a figure. Behind it, there should be a model packaging box with the character from this photo printed on it. In front of the box, on a round plastic base, place the figure version of the photo I gave you. I'd like the PVC material to be clearly represented.

It would be even better if the background is indoors.

Introduction

Have you ever imagined taking a simple photo and transforming it into a commercial-grade figurine complete with packaging? That’s exactly what I did using AI + 3D modeling workflows.

The result? A 1/7 scale PVC collectible, placed in a realistic indoor environment, complete with a Bandai-inspired box featuring the original artwork.

In this article, I’ll break down how I made it — from photo to figurine.

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Step 1: Starting with the Photo

The first step was feeding the photo reference into the workflow. The goal was to keep the pose, outfit, and personality intact, while adapting it into figurine format.

• ✅ Pose preserved exactly as in the photo.
• ✅ Outfitting details (jacket, sneakers, accessories).
• ✅ Cool, collectible vibe.

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Step 2: 3D Modeling the Figurine

The figurine needed to be 1/7 scale, which is a common standard for PVC collectibles.

1. Brush Modeling Process → shown on the monitor in the background.
2. PVC Texture Simulation → smooth, slightly glossy, toy-like plastic feel.
3. Transparent Base → clean acrylic disc, no distracting text.

This ensured the figure didn’t just look like a render — it looked like a real product.

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Step 3: Packaging Design

What’s a figurine without a collector’s box? Inspired by Bandai:

• Flat Artwork: A 2D vector illustration of the figure pose.
• Minimal Branding: “Model Kit Series 01” label for a professional toy-line feel.
• Realistic Box Placement: Behind the figurine, as if ready for retail shelves.

This gave the final image a commercialized look, not just a fan render.

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Step 4: Final Composition

The figurine was placed:

• On a computer desk (real indoor setting).
• With the packaging box behind it.
• A monitor displaying the brush modeling process beside it, tying the creation loop together.

This completed the cycle: photo → figurine → packaging → presentation.

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Why This Matters

This project showed how AI + modeling workflows can commercialize personal content. What used to require a team of artists and factories can now be prototyped at home — with professional results.

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Final Thoughts

Creating this PVC figurine was more than just design — it was about storytelling through objects. The packaging, the scale, the environment — all worked together to transform a photo into a collectible reality.

Comments

[Chirag Patel]

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