Generate 3D Models and Textures from Images using Replicate - n8n Workflow

3D Artists and Designers looking to rapidly prototype assets.
Developers integrating image-to-3D capabilities into applications.
n8n users seeking advanced examples of asynchronous API polling patterns.
Automation specialists utilizing AI generation services via an n8n node.

Generating complex AI content, such as 3D models, is an asynchronous process that often requires frequent checks (polling) to determine job status. This specialized n8n workflow solves this complexity by implementing a robust polling mechanism.

It takes an input image URL, submits the generation request to the Replicate API, and then enters a loop using the n8n node system until the model status changes to 'succeeded'. This ensures that the entire process, from initiation to result delivery, is fully automated within a single n8n environment. This powerful n8n template is ideal for integrating specialized AI services into larger production workflows.

This automation is triggered manually and follows a multi-step, asynchronous flow:

1. Trigger and Setup: The process begins with the 'On clicking 'execute'' manual n8n trigger. An initial n8n node then securely sets the Replicate API key required for authentication.


2. Create Prediction: A POST request is sent via an httpRequest n8n node to the Replicate API, initiating the 3D model generation request using the specified input image URL and generation parameters (like generating textures and removing the background).


3. Extract ID: A code n8n node immediately processes the API response to extract the unique prediction ID and the polling URL. This ID is crucial for tracking the job status.


4. Polling Loop: The workflow enters a loop starting with a 'Wait' n8n node (set for 2 seconds) to pause execution and manage API load. This is followed by the 'Check Prediction Status' httpRequest n8n node, which queries the status using the prediction ID.


5. Conditional Check: The 'Check If Complete' n8n node evaluates the current status. If the status is 'succeeded', the flow exits the loop and proceeds. If the status is still 'processing' or 'starting', the n8n workflow is redirected back to the 'Wait' node, repeating the polling cycle.


6. Process Result: Once complete, a final code n8n node formats the result, extracting the final output URLs (the generated 3D model and textures) for subsequent use in the larger n8n workflow.

To deploy this n8n workflow template, follow these steps:

1. Import: Copy the provided JSON code and paste it directly into your n8n instance using the 'New' > 'Import from JSON' function.


2. Credentials: You will need credentials for Replicate. Obtain your API key from the Replicate platform.


3. API Key Setup: Locate the 'Set API Key' n8n node. Update the default value 'YOURREPLICATEAPI_KEY' with your actual key.


4. Input Configuration: Locate the 'Create Prediction' n8n node. Within the 'JSON Body', replace the placeholder URL (https://example.com/input.other) with the actual URL of the image you want to convert into a 3D model.


5. Execution: Use the 'On clicking 'execute'' n8n trigger to manually run the template for testing, or replace it with a production n8n trigger (e.g., a Webhook or Schedule node).

On clicking 'execute' (n8n trigger): This is the entry point, allowing manual start of the n8n workflow for testing and development.
Set API Key (Set n8n node): Securely assigns the replicateapikey to a variable used in subsequent httpRequest n8n nodes for authorization.
Create Prediction (HTTP Request n8n node): Sends the initial request to the Replicate API. Key configuration includes the POST method, specific model version (70d0d816b74578a2ee5e7906284ab8bd26cf4f6a3fb7797dcd58059b803ae75f), and input parameters like generate_texture: true.
Extract Prediction ID (Code n8n node): A critical n8n node for extracting the unique ID required for the asynchronous status check.
Wait (Wait n8n node): Pauses the n8n workflow for 2 seconds before checking the status again, preventing unnecessary load on the Replicate API during polling.
Check Prediction Status (HTTP Request n8n node): Polls the specific prediction URL to retrieve the current job status.
Check If Complete (If n8n node): The core decision point. It checks if $json.status equals 'succeeded'. This logic is vital for controlling the polling loop within this n8n workflow.
Process Result (Code n8n node): Gathers the final output links and job metadata when the generation is complete.