FaceBuilder for Blender

Frequently Asked Questions

• — I have an idea or feedback

  If you think you found a bug, please report it here.
  If you want to share feedback, please fill this form, we'd be really happy to know what you think!

• Setup

• — How to install FaceBuilder for Blender?

  Check out this step-by-step video tutorial or written guide. Brief instructions: Download KeenTools Blender pack. Open Blender, go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons. Click “Install…”, navigate to the downloaded Zip file (for Mac users: find it inside DMG). Unfold “Interface: KeenTools FaceBuilder…” tab and click “Install Online”.

• — How to remove FaceBuilder from Blender?

  Open Blender Preferences, go to Add-ons, search for FaceBuilder, click Remove and relaunch Blender.

• — How to update FaceBuilder for Blender?

  The add-on checks for online updates from time to time if your machine is connected to the internet. When a newer version is available, you'll be offered an automatic update.
  
  For manual update, remove the add-on, restart Blender, install the newest version of the add-on and Core Library.

• — I have installed it but cannot see it anywhere/it doesn't work

  All KeenTools add-ons for Blender can be accessed through the side Bar (N-panel), by pressing N on the keyboard. If FaceBuilder is not there, make sure you’ve completed each step in the installation as shown in this video tutorial or written guide. If anything went wrong during the installation, remove the add-on, relaunch Blender and then follow each step as shown in our guides above.

• — I downloaded a DMG, where's the ZIP-file?

  Double-click the DMG to mount it, find the ZIP-file inside.

• — I see no photos or I see black screen when clicking on the views

  Most likely, Blender does not support your GPU (video adapter) so it won’t run in the 3D mode. You can either address the Blender community or try a machine with a higher GPU.

• — The add-on disappears after relaunching Blender

  Press N to unfold the N-panel. If the FaceBuilder tab is missing from the panel, go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons, search for KeenTools FaceBuilder and make sure it’s checked. If the add-on is nowhere to be found, it means it was deleted (occasionally, by an antivirus, etc.). Reinstall FaceBuilder and make sure it’s in the antivirus white-list.

• — I get "[Errno 9] Bad file descriptor" error when trying to install the add-on

  It looks like the add-on zip-file is damaged, please download it again and check there's no active antivirus software that might lock or modify the package.

• — I've installed Blender from a Linux repo, the add-on doesn't work

  Download an official version of Blender from Blender.org website. Custom builds often rely on unsupported versions of Python.

• — Can I use FaceBuilder with Blender 2.79 or older?

  No. FaceBuilder works only with Blender 2.80 and newer.

• Workflow

• — Can I use a custom 3D model instead of the default head?

  Not at the moment. As a workaround, you can wrap the FaceBuilder mesh with the needed topology for further purposes.

• — How can I animate the head?

  There are different ways of doing it. You can use 51 built-in ARKit-compatible FACS blendshapes and Live Link Face App for animation inside of Blender, or export your head to Character Creator 4 or Metahuman Creator.

• Licensing

• — Can I sell models created with FaceBuilder?

  Yes! Everything you create with our plugins and add-ons belongs to you.

• — Do I need a subscription to use FaceBuilder for Blender?

  Not for the FaceBuilder add-on itself, but for KeenTools Core library. Free trial period for all new users is 15 days after first launch, with no restrictions or limitations. If you like it, you can choose the plan that suits your purpose and budget here.

• — I have an active FaceBuilder / FaceBundle / FullBundle subscription for Nuke, do I need another one for Blender?

  Yes. Each platform requires its own separate license. A FaceBuilder / FaceBundle / FullBundle license for Nuke, After Effects or Houdini does not include Blender.

• — What happens if I cancel my subscription before the end of the billing period?

  You will have access to all add-on features until the end of the billing period.

• — Will my project open after I cancel the subscription?

  Yes. You will be able to open your projects and export your work results, but you will not be able to make any adjustments in your model with FaceBuilder.

• — Is KeenTools FaceBuilder open source? Where's the repository?

  The add-on is an open source adapter for KeenTools Core Library. Git repository can be found here.

• — I just bought a new FaceBuilder license. Why do I see ‘Couldn't retrieve the subscription data from the server.‘ message?

  The new type of licenses introduced in July 2026 require KeenTools Blender Pack update. Don’t worry about the compatibility – the newest updates support older Blender versions.

• General

• — I see an error that is not listed here, what should I do?

  If the error comes from FaceBuilder, please follow instructions provided in the error message. If that doesn't help, delete the add-on, relaunch Blender and reinstall FaceBuilder. If the error comes from Blender, use your preferable search engine to look for similar errors and solutions. You can also try to find the answer in the Blender community. If nothing helps, please drop us a message, we'll look into your issue.