What’s a good free software for converting pictures to Grayscale for 2.5D work

Technology is catching up and you should check out:
https://3dgrayscale.com/ - Youtuber - ArtbyAdrock shared this data.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2iRzrNP3OU
Hopefully this helps, as I was in the same shoes as you with my 100W OMTECH MOPA.