Let’s assume you have a frontal and profile photo. Here is the optimized pipeline to avoid the "uncanny valley."
Step 1: Generate the Head in FaceGen
Step 2: The New "Transfer" Method in Daz Studio
Step 3: The "Face Transfer" Alternative (Easier, but less control) Daz Studio 4.22+ includes the updated Face Transfer plugin. While originally for G8, it now has a Genesis 9 beta option.
Step 4: Texture Alchemy Here is where most people mess up. FaceGen gives you a diffuse map (skin color), but G9 needs Specular, Normal, and Roughness maps to look real.
Result: A slider appears under Genesis 9’s “Actor” or “Morphs” tab. Dialing it to 100% reshapes G9’s vertices to match FaceGen’s head.
FaceGen (specifically FaceGen Artist or FaceGen Modeller) is a specialized piece of software that generates 3D head models from a single 2D photograph. Genesis 9 is the latest base human figure platform from Daz 3D, released in late 2022, offering improved topology, expression controls, and UV mapping over its predecessors (Genesis 8/8.1).
The phrase “FaceGen for Genesis 9” refers to the workflow of taking a photorealistic head model created in FaceGen and transferring its shape and texture onto a Genesis 9 figure within Daz Studio. Unlike previous generations (Genesis 1–8), Genesis 9 is not natively supported by FaceGen’s direct exporter. This creates both challenges and opportunities for artists.
The introduction of FaceGen Artist Pro support for is a significant utility for Daz 3D users, as it
allows for the creation of photorealistic digital doubles directly on the latest figure platform Key Useful Features for Genesis 9 Native Morph Generation
: FaceGen can now natively generate head morphs for Genesis 9 figures from one or more photographs. High-Resolution Texture Mapping
: It employs higher-resolution texture maps specifically tailored for the Genesis 9 mesh, which features a higher polygon count than previous generations. Dynamic Geometry Adjustments
: Improved algorithms refine image projection to match the new unified topology of Genesis 9 (which uses a single base for both male and female figures). Subsurface Scattering (SSS) Support
: The updated software can produce native Genesis 9 skin textures with improved tone and color, including specialized SSS files for more realistic skin rendering. Automatic Landmark Placement facegen for genesis 9
: Newer versions have introduced more automated "dot placement," reducing the manual effort required to align facial features from a photo to the 3D mesh. Workflow Advantages Consistency Across Generations
: While it supports Genesis 9, it allows artists to maintain a consistent "look" for their characters even when upgrading older Genesis 8 or 8.1 projects to the newer platform. Texture Correction Integration
: Because photo-to-3D transfers can sometimes bake in unwanted shadows or highlights, artists often use FaceGen as a base and then utilize resources like the Genesis 9 Skin Detailer or Photoshop to refine the final skin maps. Alternative to Face Transfer : Many users prefer FaceGen over the built-in Daz Face Transfer
because it is often less sensitive to lighting inconsistencies in source images and offers more granular control over texture blending. Are you planning to use to create a specific real-life likeness , or are you more interested in its ability to randomize unique faces
The integration of FaceGen Artist Genesis 9 (G9) marks a significant leap in creating hyper-realistic 3D characters from photographs within Daz Studio. Users consistently report that G9 results are "ridiculously better" than previous generations, featuring incredible detail that avoids the "plastic" look common in older models. Key Features for Genesis 9 The latest FaceGen Artist
updates (v4.1 and above) have specifically optimized the workflow for the G9 mesh: Native Texture Creation
: Generates G9-specific textures directly, including high-resolution diffuse and sub-surface scattering (SSS) maps required for realistic Iray rendering. Precision Shape Export
: Creates two distinct files for each shape slider to ensure the morph correctly affects both the head and internal mouth parts of the G9 model. Improved Blending
: Recent versions have significantly improved how generated faces blend into the rest of the body texture, ensuring skin tones match more seamlessly. Landmark Placement
: Users can utilize "Create → Photo" for automatic point placement on front-facing photos, with manual adjustment options for finer control. Performance Comparison: G9 vs. G8/8.1 Reliable, but can look "boxy" or plastic in close-ups.
Far superior realism with smoother geometry and denser mesh. Hardware Demand Lower; easier to render multiple characters on older GPUs. Hardware Demand
Highly VRAM demanding; large scenes may "flatline" on 8GB-10GB cards. Texture Support Standard 4k maps. Texture Support Supports 8k textures and improved SSS components for Iray. Ease of Use Mature ecosystem with thousands of compatible morphs. Ease of Use
Advanced "sticky lip" features and better eye/mouth separation, but steeper learning curve. Expert Workflow & Tips Let’s assume you have a frontal and profile photo
Well If You Want Gen 9 Capability In FaceGen - Daz 3D Forums Jun 2, 2566 BE —
They have added some improvements over time. The biggest one in 3.12 is that faces blend much better into the rest of the texture.
Using FaceGen for Genesis 9 allows you to transform photographs of real people into highly detailed 3D character morphs and textures within Daz Studio. This capability is primarily found in FaceGen Artist Pro, which has been updated to natively support the Genesis 9 figure's unique mesh and UV layout. Key Features of FaceGen Artist Pro for Genesis 9
Photo-to-3D Conversion: You can generate a 3D face from a single front-facing photo or use up to three photos (front and profiles) for higher accuracy.
Native Genesis 9 Support: The software creates specific shape and color controls that affect both the head and mouth parts of the Genesis 9 figure.
Comprehensive Customization: Beyond the initial photo import, you can adjust over 150 attributes, including age, gender, ethnicity, and fine-tuned facial features.
Improved Color Mapping: Recent updates have simplified the application of color maps for Genesis 9, including better eye coloring and diffuse/SSS (sub-surface scattering) maps essential for Iray rendering. How to Use FaceGen with Genesis 9
Prepare Your Photos: Use passport-style images with neutral expressions and even lighting. Avoid hair covering the face, as it may be baked into the texture.
Import and Landmark: Load your images into FaceGen Artist Pro. For a single photo, the software uses automatic point placement; for multiple photos, you may need to manually place markers on key features like the eyes and chin.
Generate and Refine: The AI creates a 3D morph. You can then use "Tween" features to blend character shapes or "Genetic" tools to create subtle variations. Export to Daz Studio: Set the Genesis Generation to 9 in the export settings. Specify your Daz Content Library path.
FaceGen will save the morph and textures directly into your Daz directories.
Finalize in Daz Studio: Load a base Genesis 9 character and find your custom morph under the Parameters or Shaping tab. Apply the exported textures via the Surfaces tab. System Requirements & Compatibility
Operating System: Windows 7/8/10/11 with DirectX 11 or higher. MacOS and Linux are not natively supported. Step 2: The New "Transfer" Method in Daz Studio
Hardware: Requires a GPU that supports Feature Levels 11_0 or 11_1.
Integration: While FaceGen Artist Pro is a standalone application, it is designed to export files that Daz Studio can immediately recognize as Genesis 9 assets. Comparisons to Other Tools
Transform Your Daz 3D Characters: A Deep Dive into FaceGen for Genesis 9
If you’ve been using Daz Studio for a while, you know the struggle of trying to sculpt a realistic human face from scratch. While the Genesis 9 (G9) platform offers incredible versatility, getting a specific likeness—whether it’s a celebrity, a family member, or a custom AI-generated portrait—can take hours of tedious morphing.
That’s where FaceGen Artist Pro comes in. With recent updates bringing native support for Genesis 9, this tool has become a staple for character artists looking to bridge the gap between 2D reference and 3D reality. What Makes FaceGen for Genesis 9 Special?
The leap to Genesis 9 wasn't just a simple compatibility patch; it brought several workflow improvements that make character creation faster and more detailed than previous generations.
Native G9 Textures: You no longer need to convert Genesis 8 textures to work on G9. FaceGen now creates G9-specific texture maps natively, ensuring better alignment with the unified figure system.
Enhanced Detail: Users have reported that G9 results in FaceGen look significantly less "plastic" than older versions, with the higher-resolution mesh capturing finer nuances in the facial structure.
Automatic Landmark Detection: One of the most tedious parts of FaceGen used to be manual dot placement. The latest versions (3.12 and up) feature automatic landmark detection for frontal photos, drastically speeding up the "Photo-to-3D" process. The Core Workflow: From Photo to Daz Studio
The process is remarkably straightforward, though it rewards those who pay attention to photo quality.
To generate full content for Genesis 9 (G9) using FaceGen Artist Pro, you must use version 3.33 or higher (specifically FaceGen Artist Pro V4), which introduced native support for G9 meshes and textures.
The process creates a high-fidelity head morph and corresponding texture maps specifically optimized for the Genesis 9 dual-node system (head and mouth). Step-by-Step Workflow How to use FaceGen Artist Pro – Part 1 of 3
The Daz community is clamoring for a dedicated "FaceGen Exporter for Genesis 9" plugin. Ideally, this plugin would:
Until then, artists must rely on the hybrid workflow outlined above. There are rumors that Singular Inversions is working on a "Genesis 9 Direct" output option, but no official release date has been announced.
Requires: FaceGen Artist Pro, Daz Studio, Hexagon or Blender, and a Genesis 8 to 9 converter script.