How to use Nano Banana AI: Step-by-step guide and tips to create stunning 3D figurines from photos instantly for free

AI platforms are advancing rapidly, and every new update seems to trigger viral online trends. The latest craze captivating social media is the

Nano Banana

phenomenon, where ordinary photos are transformed into realistic 3D digital figurines. Powered by Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash Image tool, this AI model can generate highly detailed miniatures in seconds, capturing facial expressions, clothing, and even background elements with impressive realism. The trend gained further momentum when public figures and celebrities shared their own 3D versions online, inspiring fans to create figurines of pets, friends, and iconic personalities. Easy to use and free, the tool has made advanced 3D creation accessible to everyone, turning a fun social media trend into a global digital sensation.The popularity of the Nano Banana trend skyrocketed when Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, shared his own 3D figurine with the caption: “My young friends suggested that I go with the trend… so here it is.”Not long after, Bollywood fan pages joined in. Actor Emraan Hashmi’s followers circulated miniature figurines of the star, adding to the buzz with captions like “OMI FEVER is taking over… in 3D.” These high-profile shares further amplified the trend, inspiring countless users to try it out themselves.

What is ‘Nano Banana’ trend going viral

“Nano Banana” is the nickname given to Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, Google’s advanced AI-powered image-editing tool. This model can turn any image into a hyper-realistic 3D figure within seconds. From facial expressions to clothing details and even background textures, the output captures stunning levels of realism.The tool’s accessibility has made it even more appealing — it is free to use and does not require advanced editing skills, which explains why it has gone viral across platforms like Instagram, X, and Facebook.The craze stems from three key factors:

As a result, people have rushed to create figurines of their pets, family members, favorite celebrities, and even themselves.

How to create your own 3D figurine with Nano Banana: Step-by-step guide

Joining the Nano Banana trend is easy, and the process takes only a few minutes. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

Example:“A realistic 1/7 scale figurine of a cute anime girl, dressed in an adventurer's outfit with a vest, shorts, and boots, stands on a clear acrylic base atop a sleek wooden desk. Her brown hair is tied back in a ponytail. The desk is tidy, with a monitor showing the ZBrush sculpting process, displaying wireframes, textures, and fine details of the character. A BANDAI-style toy box sits nearby with bright illustrations matching the figurine and other adventure-themed characters. Natural light from a window casts soft shadows, highlighting the craftsmanship and textures of the figurine and its surroundings.”

Nano Banana trend: Try these prompts to create 3D figurines for free (examples)

Prompt 1:"A realistic 1/7 scale figurine of a sleek, advanced mecha pilot, clad in a futuristic, armored jumpsuit with intricate panels and glowing accents, stands on a clear acrylic base atop a sleek metallic desk. The pilot's helmet is off, revealing a determined expression. The desk is tidy, with a monitor showing the ZBrush sculpting process, displaying wireframes, textures, and fine details of the mecha suit. A KOTOBUKIYA-style model kit box sits nearby with bright illustrations matching the figurine and other sci-fi vehicles. Natural light from a window casts soft shadows, highlighting the craftsmanship and metallic textures of the figurine and its surroundings."Result:

Prompt 2:"A realistic 1/7 scale figurine of a majestic fantasy creature, perhaps a small, winged dragon or a griffin, intricately detailed with scales, feathers, and powerful claws, stands on a clear acrylic base atop a rugged wooden desk. Its eyes gleam with intelligence. The desk is tidy, with a monitor showing the ZBrush sculpting process, displaying wireframes, textures, and fine details of the creature's anatomy. A PRIME 1 STUDIO-style collectible box sits nearby with dark, dramatic illustrations matching the figurine and other mythical beasts. Natural light from a window casts soft shadows, highlighting the craftsmanship and organic textures of the figurine and its surroundings."Result:

Prompt 3:"A realistic 1/7 scale figurine of a classic superhero, dynamically posed in a vibrant, form-fitting costume with a flowing cape and detailed muscle definition, stands on a clear acrylic base atop a modern, minimalist desk. The hero's iconic symbol is prominently displayed on their chest. The desk is tidy, with a monitor showing the ZBrush sculpting process, displaying wireframes, textures, and fine details of the character's suit and cape. A SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES-style premium art print box sits nearby with bold, comic-book-style illustrations matching the figurine and other heroic figures. Natural light from a window casts soft shadows, highlighting the craftsmanship and heroic presence of the figurine and its surroundings."Result:

Prompt 4:"A realistic 1/7 scale figurine of a medieval knight in full, intricate plate armor, complete with a detailed helmet, sword, and shield, stands on a clear acrylic base atop a dark, ornate wooden desk. The armor shows realistic wear and battle scars. The desk is tidy, with a monitor showing the ZBrush sculpting process, displaying wireframes, textures, and fine details of the armor's construction. A HOT TOYS-style collectible box sits nearby with realistic, historical illustrations matching the figurine and other legendary warriors. Natural light from a window casts soft shadows, highlighting the craftsmanship and metallic textures of the figurine and its surroundings."Result:

Nano Banana tips and tricks: Make your 3D figurines stand out

The AI works best with sharp, well-lit images. Avoid blurry or dark photos for more lifelike 3D results.

Include details like scale, outfit, pose, background, and lighting. The more precise your description, the more realistic the figurine will be.

Try different facial expressions or body angles in your prompts to give the figurine personality and uniqueness.

Adding elements like desks, windows, or themed objects in your prompt enhances realism and storytelling.

Use hashtags like #NanoBanana or #3DFigurine to gain visibility and see what others are creating for inspiration.

Combine real-life references with fantasy or anime elements to create figurines that wow your friends and followers.

Nano Banana and the future of accessible AI design

While the Nano Banana trend may seem like just another viral craze, it reflects a deeper shift in how AI tools are being used. With models like Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, advanced image editing and 3D rendering are no longer reserved for professionals. Anyone can now create high-quality visuals that blur the line between reality and digital artistry.This accessibility opens doors for new applications in entertainment, product design, marketing, and even education, hinting that what starts as a viral meme today could evolve into tomorrow’s creative industry standard.

Nano Banana trend related FAQs

No. The tool is user-friendly and free, making high-quality 3D creation accessible to anyone.

Yes. The tool is freely accessible via Google AI Studio and does not require paid subscriptions or special software.

Yes. Users have made figurines of celebrities, pets, fantasy characters, and even themselves using custom prompts.

Yes. You can use detailed prompts describing scale, outfit, pose, and surroundings to generate highly realistic figurines.Also Read | Grand Theft Auto 6: World’s first ‘AAAAA’ labelled game with stunning visuals and record-breaking revenue; reveals industry analyst