Abstract: Three-dimensional (“3D”) models of objects are generated and manipulated by one or more computer devices or systems to synthesize two-dimensional (“2D”) images of the objects. The 3D models are generated by capturing depth data and visual images from the objects, e.g., by scanners or cameras, and applying the visual images to a point cloud or other model formed from the depth data. A 3D model of an object may be placed in selected orientations with respect to a 2D plane, and images of the 3D model may be captured by a screen capture, an in-game camera, or another imaging technique. By varying the appearances of the 3D model, nearly limitless numbers of 2D images of the 3D model may be synthetically generated and used to train a machine learning model to recognize the object.