FaceBuilder for Nuke
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FaceBuilder node for Nuke can help with building 3D models of human faces and heads based on a few photos. With FaceBuilder you don't need to be an experienced 3D modeller to create a quality 3D model with clean topology. You start with getting a few photos with neutral face expression from different angles and then place a model on each of them to build a head or face model. The resulting model can be used for rigid tracking with GeoTracker or for tracking of facial gestures with FaceTracker. You can also export the model from Nuke for further modifications in any other 3D software.
Nuke Indie support
Good news! All our nodes including FaceBuilder are finally available in Nuke Indie. You'd need to install the 12.2v4 version of Nuke and 2020.1 version of KeenTools package or newer. There are no functional limitations compared to the standard Nuke.
Works even with a single photo
The more photos you have, the better quality you can get. But sometimes all you have is just one photo or a frame from a footage and you still need to get your job done. So, we’ve got you covered — you’ll be surprised where just one image can get you!
Three built-in topologies
Whether you need a hi-poly model to shape as many facial features as possible, or a low-poly model to integrate it into some real-time workflows, we've got you covered! FaceBuilder has low-poly, mid-poly and high-poly topologies that you can switch on the fly!
Focal length estimation
While we recommend setting up camera settings manually to achieve maximum preciseness, we know it's not always possible. For such cases you can use "Single Focal Length" and "Varying Focal Length" estimation modes. The first one works when you know the reference photos were taken with one camera and same focal length. The second one can help if you're not sure it was a single camera or there was a zoom-lens.
AI-powered automatic face alignment
You don't need to manually pin faces anymore! At least, not from the scratch. Our face alignment is not yet always 100% accurate, so it requires some manual adjustments sometimes, but it radically reduces the time of shaping the models. So much, we’ve actually stopped doing this manually in our team while testing and we don’t want to go back!
Facial expressions support
If you’re after the ultimate quality and preciseness — you need photos with neutral facial expression, but no worries if you can’t get them — now FaceBuilder supports facial expressions of FaceTracker, thus you can still get decent results even with non-neutral photos!
Total diversity
Our evergrowing statistical model already has data for humans of widest age range from the most places on Earth, so you shouldn’t face any problems modelling people from any part of the world!
Configurable model
You can switch on and off different parts of the 3D model customising it to your needs. The shape is not being affected, so if you decide to switch something back when the model is ready — it won’t break anything!
Mixed picture format
You can use photos with different aspect ratios in the reference sequence. If you know camera settings for every photo in the sequence — you can set up keyframes in the connected camera node. If you don't know the camera settings — just turn on "Varying Focal Length" in FaceBuilder settings, the focal length will be estimated for each photo in the sequence.
FaceBuilderplans
Freelancer Monthly
—FaceBuildermonthly subscription
— Node-locked
— For individuals
Billed monthly
Freelancer Annual
—FaceBuilderannual subscription
— Node-locked
— For individuals
$179 billed yearly — save $37/year
Studio Annual
$499 billed annually
Prices shown without taxes. For enterprise/volume pricing, please get in touch!
Please note that Freelancer plans are intended only for individuals. If purchased by a company, it will be consequently cancelled. If you need help with choosing your plan, please contact our support.
All subscriptions can be used for commercial work.
All results of your work with our products belong to you.
Help resources
The comprehensive written guide can be found on our Medium page.
While we're working on video-tutorials, you can watch the recorded live-stream, where we talk about FaceBuilder with Hugo Guerra.
For assets and Nuke script examples you can visit our examples page.
Frequently Asked Questions
— How to load photos into FaceBuilder?
You need to create a Read node, load your photographs as a sequence in it, and then connect the Read node to 'bg' input of FaceBuilder.
— Do I need to connect a Camera node to FaceBuilder?
The quality of the model will be better if you use a Camera node that will reflect the settings of the camera used for making the reference photographs. The essential parameters you need to setup are: focal length and vertical/horizontal aperture (sensor/film-back size). If you don't know what camera and focal length were used, you don't need to connect a Camera node, but instead switch on focal length estimation — then a default Nuke Camera node will be used, later you can export the estimated camera as a Camera node.
— Can I use FaceBuilder with a video as a source?
Sure! Just don't forget to set up your Camera node properly. Note that if the video was shot with a zoom lens and the focal length is changing but you don't know the exact focal length for the frames you want to use — it's better to use Varying Focal Length Estimation in FaceBuilder.
— What is 'tex' input for?
You can connect an image node that will be used as a texture for mesh colouring. In some cases it can help with visibility of the mesh and handiness of the pinning process.
— Does FaceBuilder use the photos in any way?
No, they're only being displayed for you as references. FaceBuilder uses camera settings and pin positions to change the shape.
— What actually happens when I drag pins?
Using the statistical data FaceBuilder tries to find an optimal shape for the 3D model so it would match the disposition of all pins.
— Can I use FaceBuilder with a set of photos with different resolution or different focal length?
Starting from the version 2.1.0 — yes, you can. Though you should not forget to setup the connected Camera node accordingly — it should have keyframes with proper settings for each frame. If you don't know camera settings for all photos, it's better to use Varying Focal Length Estimation.
— I have a license for FaceBuilder in Nuke, do I need another license for FaceBuilder in Blender?
No! Installing a license allows using FaceBuilder in Nuke and Blender.
— I have a license for FaceTracker, do I need a license for FaceBuilder?
Yes! You can also purchase both licenses as a bundle for a reduced price!
— Can I use my custom head model?
Not at the moment. But we plan supporting this in future.
— Can I save (export) the model as a file?
Yes! Connect FaceBuilder node to a WriteGeo node and choose your favourite format.
— Can I use FaceBuilder in Nuke Indie?
Yes! Starting with the 12.2v4 version of Nuke.