Canon has launched HeightIQ, a new software application driven by artificial intelligence (AI), to simplify the conversion of a 2D image into a detailed height map.
HeightIQ simplifies the enhancement of 2D designs with 3D textures
Steven Badger, Head of Sales & Professional Services at Canon Production Printing Australia, says: “Elevated printing enables our Arizona customers to add creative value to their output but the complexity and time required to create a height map is often a roadblock for many print providers looking to add it to their offering. At FESPA 2025 we showed a technology study and, based on the very positive customer feedback, we decided to productise it into HeightIQ.”
HeightIQ uses advanced image recognition to analyse light, contrast and shapes to automatically and accurately translate height differences into grayscale values. The grayscale image can then be used in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator to finetune the final job, enabling elevated printing up to 4mm high on Canon Arizona flatbed printers using PRISMAelevate XL.
The free software application simplifies the enhancement of 2D designs with 3D textures, embossing and dynamic surface effects to deliver greater value for designers, artists and print service providers.
Significantly, the AI integration enables HeightIQ to bring job preparation times down by a substantial amount. For example a file that might take an experienced designer up to 10 hours to process in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, is reduced to less than 30 minutes on average, with the added benefit that HeightIQ is suitable for users of all skill levels. Users can also easily drag and drop files and create up to 20 different images at the same time, enabling them to bring elevation to a wider audience.
To enhance the quality of the height map, HeightIQ features a tiling setting, which uses a graphical technique to divide a bigger image into multiple sub-images (tiles) and ensures that more details are visible in the final print.
HeightIQ is a freeware, on-premise software application that can be easily installed onto any MS Windows or MacOS device. The tool is available immediately for download from Canon’s graphiPLAZA platform here
Canon Production Printing Australia & New Zealand
