Introduction
If you can draw pixel art but cannot model in 3D, Kenney Shape turns your drawings into 3D models for you. It is a free tool from Kenney Vleugels, the creator known as KenneyNL, that takes a 2D pixel-art drawing, lets you set the depth of each pixel, and generates an extruded 3D model you can use in a game. It used to be a paid tool, but in October 2026 Kenney made it free forever for everyone, and the download from the official itch.io page is the complete program.
This guide explains what Kenney Shape is, what it can and cannot do, what your PC needs to run it, and how to download and install it from the official website only. You will also get a first-use walkthrough that takes you from installation to a working result in a few minutes. By the end, you should be able to install Kenney Shape on Windows and use it in a real project.
Kenney Shape is best for making game-ready 3D props from pixel art, and creating voxel-style models quickly. Because it is free and legitimate, you do not need a cracked copy or an unknown download site. The official website provides the installer, and the free version is a real, permanent tool, not a short trial.

What Is Kenney Shape?
Kenney Shape is a free 3D modelling tool that converts 2D pixel art into 3D models by extrusion. In simple terms, you draw a pixel-art object on a grid, such as a sword, a potion bottle or a space invader, set how deep each pixel should be, and Kenney Shape builds a 3D model from it, with automatic UV mapping so the colours land correctly on the model. You can then export the model in formats that work with Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot, Blender and other tools.
What makes Kenney Shape useful is its speed. A beginner can draw a prop, extrude it and export it in a few minutes, without learning a full 3D modelling program, and the models are optimised for games, with clean geometry and texture atlases. It also exports voxel files in .vox format for voxel software such as MagicaVoxel, VoxEdit and Goxel, and it can export a GIF turntable animation of your model. Two honest notes: the October 2026 update, version 1.6.0, was the final one, so Kenney Shape will not get new features, and it runs on Windows and Linux only, and it needs a mouse to draw with.
Key Features
- Pixel art to 3D extrusion: Draw a 2D pixel-art object, set the depth of each pixel, and generate a 3D model in a few clicks.
- Per-pixel depth control: Set the depth of individual pixels, so parts of a model can stick out further than others.
- Automatic UV mapping: UV mapping is handled automatically, so colours from your drawing land correctly on the 3D model.
- Many export formats: Export 3D models as OBJ, FBX, DAE, glTF or STL for Unity, Unreal, Godot, Blender and more.
- Voxel export: Export .vox files for voxel software such as MagicaVoxel, VoxEdit and Goxel.
- Built-in shapes and palettes: Draw with shapes and load colour palettes, including palettes from Lospec, to speed up your work.
- GIF turntable export: Export a GIF turntable animation of your model to show it off or share it online.
- Free forever: Kenney Shape is now free forever, with no trial, no account and no payment needed.
System Requirements
- Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit (a Linux version is also available)
- Processor: A modern dual-core processor or better
- RAM: At least 4 GB of RAM for basic use
- Storage: Around 100 MB of free disk space for the download
- Other: A mouse is required to draw, and a stable internet connection for the download
These are practical, modern Windows guidelines, not a word-for-word copy of an official specification table. The most important point is simple: Kenney Shape is designed for normal Windows PCs, and a modest modern computer is enough to start.
How to Download Kenney Shape (Official Method)
The only safe place to download Kenney Shape is the official website. Do not download it from random file mirrors or “free download” portals, because those copies may be outdated or bundled with unwanted software. The official site is the source of truth for the current version.
Official download link: https://kenney.itch.io/kenney-shape
On the official Kenney Shape itch.io page, download the Windows version to your Downloads folder. It is free, so there is no payment step. If a site asks you to pay for Kenney Shape, or offers a cracked version of it, leave that site and return to the official itch.io page. Kenney’s own website also links to the tool and its documentation.
Step-by-Step Installation
Follow these steps in order. Take your time with the install location and component choices, because those are the steps that most often cause problems later.
- Download from the official page — Open https://kenney.itch.io/kenney-shape in your browser and download the Windows version of Kenney Shape.
- Extract the download — Right-click the downloaded ZIP file and choose Extract All, then open the extracted folder.
- Run Kenney Shape — Double-click the Kenney Shape executable in the extracted folder to launch it.
- Confirm the first launch — Kenney Shape opens with a blank canvas and its drawing tools. Click through any welcome screens.
- Check the tool tabs — Look at the tool tabs for drawing, colouring, depth and exporting, and press F1 to F4 to switch between them.
- Load a colour palette — Load a colour palette from the palette options, or use the default palette to start drawing.
- Draw a test pixel — Draw a few pixels on the canvas and confirm they appear, then undo them to start fresh.
Tip: If the installer asks about extra components, keep the default choices unless you know you need something different. Most install problems come from changing a folder or skipping a component.
First-Use Walkthrough: Your First Pixel-Art 3D Model
This walkthrough is a simple first project. It is not a full course, but it will help you see Kenney Shape working on a real project and learn its main tools.
- Open Kenney Shape and pick a palette — Open the program and choose a colour palette you like for your model.
- Draw a simple shape — Draw a simple pixel-art object on the canvas, such as a sword or a space invader.
- Set the depth of your pixels — Use the depth controls to make the middle of your object stick out further than the edges.
- Preview the 3D model — Switch to the 3D preview and rotate your model to see how the extrusion looks.
- Colour the model — Use the colour tools to paint details onto your model, such as a handle or eyes.
- Optimise before exporting — Turn on the optimise option before export, which is recommended and does not change how the model looks.
- Export as OBJ — Export the finished model as an OBJ file, ready for Unity, Godot, Blender or another 3D tool.
Is Kenney Shape Free?
Kenney Shape is free forever. Kenney made it free for everyone in October 2026, after it was previously a paid tool, and the download from the official itch.io page is the complete program with no trial and no time limit. Be aware of one honest limit: the October 2026 update, version 1.6.0, was the final one, so Kenney Shape will not receive new features or updates, although the current version keeps working.
That free status is important for this guide. All the steps here use the official download only, and they do not involve cracks, activators or licence keys. If you ever see a site offering a paid or cracked version of the free program, treat it as unsafe and return to the official site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kenney Shape safe to download?
Yes, when you download it from the official website only. The official installer is the version made by the developer. Avoid third-party sites that bundle extra software or ask for payment for a free program.
Does Kenney Shape work on my Windows PC?
Yes, in most cases. Kenney Shape runs on Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit), and the system requirements above cover a normal modern PC. Check the official site for the exact current version if your PC is older.
Is Kenney Shape really free, or will it stop working?
The free version described in this guide is not a short trial. It stays usable after installation. Kenney Shape is free forever, with no paid edition.
Do I need a powerful PC to run Kenney Shape?
No, not for basic use. A modern Windows 10 or 11 PC with 4 GB of RAM or more can run it for simple projects. Larger projects with many objects and effects will benefit from more RAM and a faster processor, but you can start and learn on a normal home PC.
Conclusion
Kenney Shape is a useful, free addition to a Windows setup because it is a free tool that turns 2D pixel art into extruded 3D models for games, and it can be downloaded safely from the official site. Start with a small first project, learn one tool at a time, and build from there.
To get started, download Kenney Shape from the official website here: https://kenney.itch.io/kenney-shape Install it with the steps above, test it once, and then use it in your next project. With a little practice, it can become a regular part of your workflow.
Official download link: https://kenney.itch.io/kenney-shape
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