Create custom AI avatars and faces for photo-real projects
FaceGen is a desktop and SDK-based face-generation tool that creates parametric, photorealistic 3D and 2D faces for game, film, and research use; it suits artists and developers needing accurate face morphs and identity-preserving exports and is priced with an affordable perpetual-license Pro and higher commercial SDK options.
FaceGen is a specialist AI avatars & video tool for creating parametric, photorealistic 2D and 3D human faces. It generates editable face morphs from photos or randomly, exports meshes, textures, and rigging data, and integrates with pipelines. FaceGen’s key differentiator is its focus on scientific-grade morphable face parameters and export flexibility for game engines and VFX. It primarily serves character artists, game developers, and researchers needing reproducible face models. Pricing is accessible via a free trial with limited output and paid perpetual Pro and SDK licenses for commercial use.
FaceGen is a focused facial modeling product originating from Singular Inversions and distributed by a small dedicated team; it has been known since the mid-2000s and evolved into a niche tool for parametric face generation and export. The product positions itself between full 3D suites and consumer AI avatar apps by offering precise control over facial parameters (age, ethnicity, gender blend, expression), photo-to-face reconstruction, and output formats tailored for downstream use. Its core value proposition is reproducible, editable face models that can be exported as mesh, UV texture maps, and morph targets rather than black-box images.
Feature-wise, FaceGen Classic and FaceGen Modeller provide several concrete capabilities. Photo-to-model reconstruction creates a 3D face from one or two photos and produces a mesh plus diffuse/specular textures suitable for import to Maya/Unity; the tool exposes numerical sliders for anthropometric parameters so you can set exact age or ethnicity blend values. Batch morph generation lets you create dozens of variations programmatically using CSV input for use in QA, game NPC populations, or research datasets. Export options include OBJ/MTL meshes, PNG/TGA texture maps, and FaceGen’s own .fg format; the commercial SDK adds direct runtime integration and license keys for embedding generation in apps.
Pricing is primarily delivered as perpetual licenses for individual Pro users and paid SDK/Enterprise options. FaceGen Basic (trial) is available for free with limited export resolution and watermarked textures. The FaceGen Pro license is a one-time fee (historically a few tens to low hundreds USD depending on version and license) that unlocks full-resolution exports and commercial use; the SDK and site licenses are priced higher and offered as custom quotes for studios that need runtime generation or redistribution rights. Academic discounts and multi-seat site licenses are commonly available via direct purchase or negotiated terms.
Real-world users include character artists who need reproducible base heads and researchers generating anonymized face datasets. Example roles: a game character artist using FaceGen to generate 200 unique NPC head bases per month for Unity; an academic psychologist exporting 1,000 varied face morphs to conduct perception studies. The workflow-focused export options and SDK set FaceGen apart from consumer avatar apps like ready-to-run deepfake services; studios comparing tools often weigh FaceGen’s precise morph control versus more automated, cloud-based avatar builders.
Three capabilities that set FaceGen apart from its nearest competitors.
Current tiers and what you get at each price point. Verified against the vendor's pricing page.
| Plan | Price | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free | Low-resolution exports, watermark on textures, no commercial use | Evaluate reconstruction and UI before buying |
| FaceGen Pro (Perpetual) | $129 (one-time) | Full-resolution OBJ/PNG export, commercial use for one user | Individual artists needing perpetual exports |
| FaceGen SDK | Custom | Runtime generation and redistribution rights, SDK access | Studios embedding face generation in products |
| Enterprise / Site License | Custom | Multi-seat licenses, priority support, negotiated terms | Large studios or universities with heavy usage |
Choose FaceGen over Character Creator if you need reproducible numeric face morph parameters and a perpetual license rather than cloud-only assets.