FaceGen is a 3D face-generating
3D modeling
In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical coordinate-based Computer representation of surfaces, representation of a surface of an object (inanimate or living) in Three-dimensional space, three dimensions vi ...
middleware
Middleware is a type of computer software program that provides services to software applications beyond those available from the operating system. It can be described as "software glue".
Middleware makes it easier for software developers to imple ...
produced by Singular Inversions.
Approach
Although FaceGen generates conventional 3D
mesh
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) is a comprehensive controlled vocabulary for the purpose of indexing journal articles and books in the life sciences. It serves as a thesaurus of index terms that facilitates searching. Created and updated by th ...
data, it uses a "parameterized" approach to defining the properties that make up a face, and by using a fixed set of parameters it is able to morph and modify a face model independently of output resolution. FaceGen 3.3 allows the user to randomize,
tween, normalize and exaggerate faces, and also includes algorithms for adjusting apparent age, ethnicity and gender. It also allows limited parametric control of facial expressions, and includes a set of
phoneme
A phoneme () is any set of similar Phone (phonetics), speech sounds that are perceptually regarded by the speakers of a language as a single basic sound—a smallest possible Phonetics, phonetic unit—that helps distinguish one word fr ...
expressions for the animation of characters with "speaking" roles.
FaceGen can also generate 3D models from front and side images of a face, or by analyzing a single photograph.
Free versions
Free demo versions of FaceGen Artist, FaceGen 3D Print and FaceGen Modeller can be downloaded from the company's website. These allow the user to create, edit, load and save files in the program's proprietary ".fg" format. The free version features the same functionality of the paid version, except that a logo is placed on the forehead of models that are generated and only a few additional assets like hairstyles and beards are provided.
Reception
Elena Opris of ''Softpedia'' assessed the software to be an "excellent program for creating and designing faces", although noted that the tool was intensive on system CPU and memory.
Michael Dean of ''Game Developer'' commended the 2.2 version of ''FaceGen'' as a "robust package" for the customizability of its settings, the ease of creating faces that "differ greatly" from one another, and its efficiency compared to manually modelling a face.
Sean Wagstaff praised the 3.0 version in a later publication for its "reasonably accurate" head models from reference photography, also citing its easy exporting process and small learning curve.
References
External links
FaceGen official homepageDiscovery Channel interview
https://www.researchgate.net
Anatomical simulation
Windows graphics-related software
3D imaging
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