KeenTools ships FaceBuilder 2024.1 for Blender
KeenTools has released FaceBuilder 2024.1 for Blender, the latest version of its popular automated head-generation plugin.
The update streamlines the process of creating a 3D head from photographs inside Blender, making creating textures for the model a one-click process.
It was released as part of KeenTools 2024.1, the latest version of KeenTools’ suite of plugins, which also includes tracking add-ons FaceTracker and GeoTracker.
Create accurate 3D reconstructions of live actors from source photos
Originally released for Nuke in 2018, and later ported to Blender, FaceBuilder provides an easy way to create textured models of actors’ heads from photographs.
The plugin automatically generates 3D geometry matching the source images, with users able to adjust the results by dragging ‘pins’ around in the 3D viewport.
It works even from a single image, or photos of faces in non-neutral expressions.
For facial animation, the plugin generates 51 built-in ARKit-compatible FACS blendshapes.
FaceBuilder 2024.1: simplified workflow for mesh alignment and texture generation
FaceBuilder 2024.1 for Blender revamps the plugin’s UI and core workflow to streamline the process of creating a head.
Key changes to the interface include grouping all of the mesh alignment controls in one place, with new buttons for rotating the head in the viewport to speed up work.
Face detection and mesh alignment are now automatic for single-image-to-3D workflow, and creating textures for a 3D head from blended views now “requires just one click”.
You can see the current workflow in the new official tutorial video, embedded above.
Pricing and system requirements
FaceBuilder 2024.1 is available for Blender 2.80+ on Windows, Linux and macOS. The software is rental-only, with subscriptions also providing access to FaceBuilder for Nuke.
Individual Freelancer subscriptions cost $18/month or $179/year; floating Studio subscriptions cost $499/year.
Read an overview of the new features in FaceBuilder 2024.1 for Blender on KeenTools’ blog
Read a full changelog for FaceBuilder and KeenTools
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