FaceShop Pro

FaceShopâ„¢ is an innovative software program that converts a 2D image into a 3D "Poser friendly" face and head. The program not only recreates face morphs, it also creates an identical texture of the copied face. FaceShop comes in two version: Basic, and Professional.

Both versions of FaceShop are comparable when it comes to the final duplicated rendered face. What differentiates the two versions? The Basic version can only output to DAZ|Studio, while the Pro version allows output to both DAZ|Studio and Poser.

The FaceShop Basic version only allows morphing using DAZ Michael 3 and Victoria 4 figures, while FaceShop Pro allows the importing of any face mesh OBJ file. This feature allows for additional creativity when developing new characters and is especially useful when recreating a child's likeness.

With FaceShop you only need one photographic reference, unlike Poser's Face Room, which requires a portrait depicting both front and side views. Although it is possible in FaceShop to create a satisfactory finished model from a three-fourth portrait using the "mirror" feature, a straight-on-portrait gives the best results.

For this article I am reviewing the Professional version. In addition to FaceShop Pro, I utilized two additional software programs: Adobe Photoshop CS3 and e frontier's Poser 6. Although I used Photoshop for pre-prepping the photograph for my FaceShop Pro example, an Image Editor is not necessary to utilize the program.

The first step in working with either version of FaceShop is to find the perfect image. FaceShop imports the following file formats: JPEG, TIF, GIF, BMP or PCX. The specifications for the reference photograph that I used was 273 x 336 pixels at 72 dpi. Larger images can be used as the reference image, however images of 800 pixels x 800 pixels, or less, work extremely well. I highly recommend using a portrait (photograph or artwork) with a full frontal view of the face. The 'mirror image' function works well for minor imperfections, however, starting with a near perfect image creates a final image with less need for post work of the final output image.

Original Image on left, retouched image on the right.
Brasilian White Man 6 [Studio Portrait] Â© Geraldo Almeida
Courtesy of Stock.XCHNG (SXC)

After several trial and errors I discovered that if I pre-prepped my original image in Photoshop (removing hair from the face, or any blemishes, etc.), the final texture map needed little, if any, retouching.

When I was satisfied with the retouched photograph, I then opened Poser and brought in Poser's James character into the Poser Preview Room. Next, I exported James' head, as a Wavefront OBJ file. Viewing the FaceShop Pro training videos, created by Abalone Software, before working with FaceShop Pro for the first time, was far more helpful than reading the instruction manual.

When exporting, all items in the Hierarchy section must be deleted except for the Head. It is especially important to unchecked the eyes, which I failed to do on my first attempt using the program. Needless to say, the end results of that image was less than perfect. A shortcut to selecting only the Head box, is to uncheck the Universe box (which will automatically uncheck all boxes). Then recheck only the Head box, and complete the export. Also, by creating a unique name for the new OBJ file, prevented overriding the original OBJ file.

FaceShop Pro is divided into several steps, which take you into a succession of prep rooms. The first step in recreating a face in FaceShop Pro, is importing the newly created OBJ file, which is one of the easiest steps in the program. Merely a matter of clicking a button and uploading. If the DAZ Michael 3 or Victoria 4 figures are used, instead of uploading an OBJ, it eliminates the exporting and importing step, as the Michael 3 and Victoria 4 OBJ files are built into both versions of FaceShop.

The second step is creating and matching "points" on specific pre-designated areas on the face, which, can be a time consuming game. As with most software, the first time working within FaceShop Pro can be frustrating. By precisely placing the dots (or in the third step, curves), the finished 3D image will more likely resemble the original photograph. Extreme misplacement can result in a dysfunctional final output. However, once I got the hang of it, the process was not only easy, but also fun. It reminded me of a dexterity test ... to see how close one image can resemble another.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being cognizant of the drop down window, with the opposing white heads. The drop down window provides information as to which point is needed, and which side of the screen the dots (or curves) need to be placed. Keep in mind that the dots run in pairs. When a dot is created on the left face, an identical dot needs to be placed on the face on the right. If you miss a dot, don't despair, just click the "Get Points" button after all the auto dots are finished flashing. Once all points are marked, the head morphs slightly and the screen changes to the "Get Curves" step.

Of all the steps, step three is the most exasperating. Again, taking time to be precise is the key. This step also allows for the freedom to pick three additional "curves" of your choosing. I recommend outlining each ear, and between the lips. Also, if you use the line mode (the second button from the left), it allows for easier and accurate placement of the curves.

Once all the curves are marked in the outline mode, go back to the regular mode and click next. Although the instructional manual states that the final morph only takes a few seconds, in reality, getting to the fourth step can take several minutes.

Once the fourth step opens, a creepy version of the original image appears on the right side. This is the texture and morph of the original image. If the dots and curves were connected carefully, all that is left, is to export the new OBJ file, which at the same time exports your newly created texture map. Similar to when you exported the James OBJ from Poser, it is important to make sure the newly created OBJ file is renamed, so that it will not override your original files.

The final step is to bring the newly created OBJ file as a morph target into Poser (or DAZ|Studio) and add the texture map. A note about the final texture map. I did not post work the final texture BMP file, however post work could only increase the quality of the final image.

I was pleased with the final outcome. Although not an exact match, there is a resemblance to the original image. The only post work I did to the final image was add a "sweater neck" to cover the area between the newly created face and James' bare neck.

Copyright Concerns

As a professional writer, artist, and photographer, I would be remiss if I did not touch upon the issue of copyrights and FaceShop. FaceShop Pro's promotional blurb encourages the use of FaceShop for recreating images of favorite celebrities, family or friends from a single photograph. I would like to add; as long as the final images are created for non published, personal use, in theory the use of copyright does not really enter the picture.

However, to be on the safe side, I highly recommend either using your personal collection of drawings or photographs (with model releases), get permission from the original photographer when using images that you did not shoot, and/or only using royalty-free images. For this review, rather then use a photograph from my personal library of photographs, I searched the web for "free" royalty-free images.

There are many sites on the Internet that provide royalty-free images, at no cost. One site I highly recommend is Stock.XCHNG (SXC). Where I found the image I used for this review, a photograph titled Brasilian White Man 6 [Studio Portrait], by photographer Geraldo Almeida. The SXC site has thousands of royalty-free headshots, with many full face portraits, that would be ideal for use in FaceShop Pro. The images are free for personal use, and only require that credit be given to both SXC and the photographer, if the photograph will be used within a publication.

In Conclusion:

At first use, FaceShop Pro was a bit frustrating, as the points and curves require precise placement. However, after working with the program over the past two months, I have come to enjoy the challenge of turning my favorite 2D images into 3D characters.

Is FaceShop Pro worth the cost? After all, a similar function is included in later versions of Poser (a feature of the Face Room). The main advantage of FaceShop Pro is that it only requires one photographic reference, while both a side and a front facial reference is needed for Poser's Face Room It is often impossible to get a matching front and side view of archived images. So, if you want to re-create a teenage version of Aunt Martha for her 80th birthday, FaceShop Pro would be well worth the price.

As with all software, the cost is dependent upon the purpose and the frequency of use. And, there are many uses for FaceShop Pro, other than recreating celebrity images as fan art. I personally plan on using the program as a photo-restoration tool. In the past I have had to piece together faces of damaged photographs. With FaceShop Pro I can reconstruct a face from a separate image, reposition the image in Poser, and add the completed image to the restored photograph.

Comparing the Professional version to the Basic version, I would recommend going Pro. especially due to the limited functions of the Basic version. FaceShop Pro's additional features allow an artist to expand on his or her creativity.

Product Requirements: