Methods and systems for creating three-dimensional models from two-dimensional images are provided. According to one embodiment, a method of creating an inflatable icon involves a vectorizing module polygonizing an input image to produce an inflatable image by representing a set of pixels making up the input image as polygons. The inflatable image is then extruded by an extrusion module by generating appropriate z-coordinate values for a reference point associated with each polygon of the inflatable image based upon a biased diffusion process. End-user controlled pressure modulation is supported by an interface module by (i) adjusting one or more modulation functions employed by the biased diffusion process based upon end-user input regarding relative modulation bias for a selected set of one or more pixels associated with the inflatable image or (ii) applying the biased diffusion process to only the selected set of one or more pixels.