Headshot 2, the AI enhanced plugin for Character Creator, lets you create advanced 3D real-time digital humans from photos and 3D models. It offers precise model fitting, texture baking, and full body animation capabilities, surpassing its predecessor and competitors. With Auto and Pro modes, it provides one-click generation of low-res virtual heads with 3D hair, as well as high-resolution texture processing with extensive morph options and advanced tools for refinement. Its versatility and comprehensive feature sets make it the industry's go-to solution for converting static models into fully-rigged 3D heads.
Version Comparison
| FEATURES | HEADSHOT 2.0 |
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HEADSHOT 1.0 | |||
| Image Workflow: Auto | Image Workflow: Pro | Mesh Workflow | |
| Purpose | Create lightweight, mid-range virtual human from one photo | Create scan-quality virtual human for close-up view from one photo | Create superior digital double from source mesh |
| Generated Mesh | Head & Hair (Separated) | Head | Head & Hair |
| Application | 3D game, archiviz, motion capture, citizen or crowd for animation & film production | Digital human for 3D game, motion capture, live performance, animation & film production | All applications (Depending on the quality of the imported mesh) |
| Texture Resolution | 1024x1024 (each for head and hair) | 4096x4096 | 8192x8192 |
| Head Profiles for Diverse Ethnicities | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Shape Refinement | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Texture Masking | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Texture Baking from High-poly Mesh | ✔ | ||
| Image Matching | ✔ | ||
| Lens Correction | ✔ | ||
| Photo Reprojection | ✔ | ||
The specially trained Auto Mode generates complete 3D heads from images. Design realtime 3D head models and also get separated hair meshes. This intelligent process automatically removes hair from images, provides natural side texture, and is tolerant to face shadows. Auto Mode is suitable to create mid-range crowds for film, or NPC characters in 3D games.
Headshot generated 3D hair is fully compatible with Character Creator's conformable hair format (.ccHair). You can add them into your hair library, and apply them to other CC characters.
Fully control the head generation process with loads of advanced features and super sculpting tools. Headshot Pro Mode produces 3D heads with upto 4096 texture resolution, manages texture blend options, gives photo-aligned mesh adjustment and texture reprojection. Pro mode gives you unmatched scan-quality output for 3D virtual human requiring close up view.
Even from the initial creation, Headshot can achieve a close resemblance from the first fitting. Utilize the sculpt morphing tools to shape and refine. Headshot heads are fully rigged and ready for animation with iClone or exported to realtime engines like Unreal.
By using high-res source images and Headshot’s 1000+ Morphs you can get a scan-quality digital human face in 4K texture details. Additional textures include normal, AO, roughness, metallic, SSS and Micro Normal for more realistic digital human rendering.
This lets you easily align the scene camera to the orientation of the photo.
Face and Eyelid Mask options are provided for you to cope with images partially covered by hair, or with unwanted shadow, and also helps to fix closed-eyelid texture issues. You can custom paint a mask to make the most of the original photo, or manually fill in missing textures.
Auto Mode vs Pro Mode
*Both modes are included in Headshot plug-in*
| Auto Mode | Pro Mode | |
| Brief | Automatic 3D head and hair generation | Professional control over extreme details |
| Purpose | Create lightweight, mid-range virtual human | Create scan-quality virtual human for close-up view |
| Application | 3D game, archiviz, motion capture, citizen or crowd for animation & film production | Digital human for 3D game, motion capture, live performance, animation & film production |
| Texture Resolution | 1024x1024 (each for head and hair) | 4096x4096 |
| Generated Mesh | Head & Hair | Head |
| Professional Tools | Image Matching, Lens Correction, Photo Reprojection | |
| Shape Refinement | Headshot Morph 1000+, Sculpt Morph editing | Headshot Morph 1000+, Sculpt Morph editing |
Headshot 2 harnesses the power of AI to handle diverse mesh conditions with a remarkable level of tolerance. It particularly excels at working with severely flawed models, effortlessly generating fully-rigged, professional-grade characters.
In the media entertainment industry, digital sculptors skilled in tools like ZBrush and Blender create high-definition 3D characters for intellectual properties. Headshot simplifies the process by seamlessly converting these highly detailed models, regardless of whether they are realistic or stylized, into real-time characters.
Accurate depiction of eye blinks and iconic expressions on stylized characters with exaggerated eye sockets and angular contour lines relies on precise alignment of mesh points and edges. Headshot's distinctive normal baking technology makes this achievable.
For stylized creatures with a bold design, achieving resemblance is made easier by adding additional alignment points to define exaggerated areas like the ears and neck. These specific details can also enhance the otherworldly characteristics of the creatures.
Get started quickly with three preconfigured options: 24, 32, or 35 alignment points. Alternatively, use auto detection to automatically populate the essential 24 alignment points. By synchronizing the camera navigation, you can easily compare the positions of the alignment points between the source and target meshes.
The system offers flexibility by allowing the addition of extra points to accommodate distinctive facial and body features. Whether it involves adding points for stretched elf-like ears or incorporating more points for a prominent hunched back, the system is fully compatible with any standout anatomy.
With the advanced capabilities of Headshot AI, you can effortlessly generate a comprehensive 3D head from a partial mesh. Enjoy the flexibility to choose which details to preserve according to your preferences, whether you prioritize the face, include the ears, or encompass the entire head. Regardless of your choice, Headshot 2 guarantees exceptional results delivered with speed and efficiency.
Benefit from robust 3D brushes, which can efficiently project the head shape, smooth out topology, and optimize edge loops. This process not only enhances the likeness of the character but also enables improved performance with facial expressions, particularly in the areas of the eyes and mouth.
View the CC Face Topology Guideline (PDF) >
Brush Type
Brush Type
Effortlessly assign the suitable gender or body type to the generated head and ensure a seamless attachment with the corresponding neck shape. Achieve professional-grade results by utilizing image masking and a wide range of texture bake options. Refine the body type further using morph sliders at any point in the process for added customization.
Wrapping a sophisticated or creatively designed 3D head can present challenges and potentially yield unintended results. Headshot provides a multitude of options to effectively handle difficult cases, such as stylized eyes, ears, and even slightly parted lips. By employing specific techniques tailored to each situation, artists can confidently achieve their desired outcomes with precision.
Face
Face
The advanced body type options enable effortless retopology of the head, allowing for easy modifications using your own assets. The mesh wrap tools simplify the process of achieving a striking resemblance, even for stylized characters with unconventional neck shapes. Additionally, the body morph sliders offer precise control over the configuration of the character's physique.
Body Type
Body Type
Maintaining the hairstyle is crucial to achieve a faithful resemblance between the source and target models. By designating the entire head as the effective area and using the "No Mask" option, the original hair shape and textures is kept intact, while editing tools offer surplus ways to clean and refine the final geometry.
Headshot 2 stands out from other model fitting solutions with versatile texture baking options. It is the only system that supports high-poly normal baking, vertex color to texture conversion, and UV remapping. Other exclusive features include image-based color projection and textureless rendering with stand-in eyes. The outcome is an astonishingly detailed CC3+ head at 4,000 quads, showcasing remarkable resemblance and geared for real-time performance.
To ensure the integrity of bust models with desirable hair or coverings and without distorted textures, choose the "No Mask" option. Additionally, for the correction of minor texture artifacts that occur when blinking or opening the lips, apply eyelash and lip masks to achieve the right results.
When generating a 3D head from a partial mesh, texture tearing or stretching can occur due to degradation. Even with a flawless source mesh, accurately projecting eyelash and inner lip details can be challenging. Headshot 2 offers a convenient solution by providing predefined texture masks to quickly hide problematic areas, ensuring a seamless and visually appealing result without the need for image editing.
Typically used in conjunction with custom painting of diffuse and normal maps, the “Custom Mask” option offers maximum flexibility for texture refinement. Designers can easily create and modify maps using an image editor, with the results automatically updated in Character Creator when the image is saved.
Take realism to new heights by seamlessly incorporating dynamic wrinkles into the generated digital doubles. Witness the remarkable level of expression details that come to life in real-time when you apply face key, facial puppet, and tracking techniques.
Initial Body Type
Select a body type to begin creating the Headshot character. The body type selections provide male, female or gender neutral options.
Head Profiles for Different Humans (Image Workflow Only)
The Headshot AI Engine detects the human face and creates 3D heads with naturally matching face types. Typical profiles for Caucasian, Asian and African are provided, and each with subtle variations based on the nature of your source images.
Wondering how Headshot engine deals with the side face textures? In order to create virtual humans with different ages, genders, hair and beard style, Headshot provides many skin presets and mask options for the optimal virtual human appearance.
The Skin Types library gives you a selection of skin presets for age, roughness, contour, and facial hair. Choose the skin color to best match the photo source or use the drop down menu to tailor the skin, beard and scalp combination.
Scalp textures for shaved styles or bald heads. Edit textures to customize the look.
Beard skin-patterns in different lengths and colors for different ages.
Common eye color options and access to more from the Custom Eye Color, or customize using the Color Picker.
There are several export options for Headshot generated characters, as you can save a dressed-up character, add its 3D generated hair to the library, or keep the newly generated 3D head as an Avatar Preset ready to mix-and-blend with other characters.
You can directly animate Headshot created characters using iClone, and you can easily export them to your favorite 3D game engines or 3D editing tools for immersive media, games and film production.
Wish to directly manipulate the head shape without having to search for the specific morph sliders? Well, Headshot provides you with an easy way to adjust a character's face contour and fine details, allowing you to quickly achieve the look you want.
From full head and face sculpting to individual features - head contour, face, eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Easily hotkey switch between the area for speedy, targeted shape refinement.
Select sculpt level and view video
The Control Area provides a default mode (in white) and dark mode (in black), and adjusts the opacity according to the status of your character.
Most people have asymmetrical faces, toggle the symmetrical options for detailed adjustment.
Experienced users can choose to turn off the control area highlight for direct shape editing.
Camera automatically focuses on the target edit area when switching sculpt level.
