Manipulationg images Only downloaded blender this week for the first time so still working out what its capable of.

One question I cant find the answer to is:

Can you add mesh to a 2D background image in order to make it 3d by moving vertexes in the z?

Many Thanks
You can import the image as a simple 4-vertex plane with the Import Images as Planes addon. 
Then you can add a Subdivision Surface modifier &amp; change the smoothing algorithm from Catmull-Clark to Simple, which will add more vertices but keep the same mesh shape.

Increase the resolution to get as many vertices as you need.