The visual system has a mechanism to derive a three-dimensional percept from a luminance gradient in a two-dimensional figure-ground pattern. This is known as the “shape from shading” mechanism. In this report, we attempted to show that the three-dimensional percept of a physically homogeneous circular figure could be induced by a luminance gradient of a square background. The induction of this three-dimensional percept was investigated by systematically varying two independent variables: the mean luminance of the background and the luminance of the figure. The dependent variable was the strength of the three-dimensionality given by a magnitude estimation procedure. We conclude that the strength of the three-dimensionality depends upon a brightness gradient in the figure induced by the luminance gradient in the background.