I am looking for software that will take an STL model and render it into a depth map (slash height map slash greyscale 3D) image. I see plenty that will go the other way. Preferably something that is open source or that won't break the bank.
Meshlab has a depth map render mode, but it's not a real depth map. It's a vaguely depth-mappy shading mode that smothers detail.
Any suggestions?