Canon Launches New HeightIQ Software for Elevated Printing

The AI-powered application simplifies the creation of height maps for 3D printing effects.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Canon U.S.A. has announced the launch of HeightIQ, a new software application driven by artificial intelligence (AI) that helps streamline the conversion of 2D images into detailed height maps for elevated printing. The free software uses advanced image recognition to automatically translate height differences into grayscale values, enabling designers, artists, and print service providers to easily enhance 2D designs with 3D textures, embossing, and dynamic surface effects.

Why it matters

The new HeightIQ software from Canon addresses a key pain point for designers and print providers by dramatically reducing the time and complexity required to create height maps for elevated printing. This technology helps unlock new creative potential in large format graphics while also boosting productivity for Canon's customers.

The details

HeightIQ uses AI to analyze light, contrast, and shapes in 2D images and automatically translate height differences into grayscale values. This grayscale height map can then be further refined in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. The software also includes a 'tiling' feature that allows users to generate up to 20 different height map variations simultaneously. Canon claims this process, which can take up to 10 hours manually, is reduced to around 1 hour on average using HeightIQ.

  • HeightIQ was announced and launched on February 10, 2026.

The players

Canon U.S.A., Inc.

A leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean markets. Canon U.S.A. is a subsidiary of the global Canon Inc. company.

Kiyoshi Oka

The executive vice president and general manager of the Marketing Strategy Unit at Canon U.S.A., Inc.

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What they’re saying

“At Canon, we're constantly exploring new ways to empower our customers through meaningful innovation. HeightIQ reflects our dedication to simplifying complex workflows and unlocking new creative potential in large format graphics.”

— Kiyoshi Oka, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Marketing Strategy Unit, Canon U.S.A., Inc. (Canon U.S.A.)

The takeaway

Canon's new HeightIQ software leverages AI to dramatically streamline the process of creating height maps for elevated printing, empowering designers, artists, and print providers to explore new creative possibilities while also boosting productivity.