Facegen To Vam [patched] | HD 2027 |

Here’s a balanced, informative review of the FaceGen to VAM workflow—commonly used to import custom head morphs into Virt-A-Mate (VaM).

6) Recommended workflow tips

Work with moderate-resolution geometry for quicker iteration; finalize at higher resolution once setup is correct.
Keep source FaceGen files and Blender scenes organized by version (face_v1.blend, face_v2.blend).
Test small changes incrementally: import often to catch errors early.
Use VAM’s scene presets and save the actor once everything is configured for reuse.

If you want, I can:

Provide specific FBX export settings for your Blender version.
Walk through converting a FaceGen OBJ you upload (describe files you have).

Here’s a ready-to-use post for social media, a forum (like Reddit or Virt-A-Mate Discord), or a blog. Choose the tone that fits your audience.

Option 1: Short & punchy (best for Twitter / Mastodon)

🎨 From FaceGen to VAM in minutes.

Want to turn a photo into a custom VAM model? Here’s the fast track:

Generate your head mesh in FaceGen (Artist / Pro)
Export as OBJ + textures
Import into VAM using the Custom Unity Asset workflow or Genesis 2 importer
Fine-tune morphs & materials

Pro tip: Use FaceGen’s “VAM-friendly” morph export settings (keep quads, avoid extreme sliders).

Result: A believable custom face without sculpting from scratch. 🧬

#VirtAMate #FaceGen #VAM #3DCharacterCreation #AdultGamedev

Option 2: Step‑by‑step tutorial (best for Reddit / Discord)

Title: Quick guide: FaceGen → VAM (no blender headache)

Step 0 – What you need

FaceGen Artist / Pro (trial works too)
Virt-A-Mate (latest build)
Unity 2018.4.20f1 (for custom assets)

Step 1 – FaceGen

Load a front + side photo
Generate head
Export → Wavefront OBJ
Check “Export Textures” (Diffuse, Normal, Specular)
Morphs: keep subdivision low-ish (under 15k tris for VAM)

Step 2 – Prep for VAM

In FaceGen, export as “Genesis 2 Female” (if available) – easier morph matching
If not: export as generic OBJ, then use DAZ 3D to transfer to Genesis 2 topology (advanced)

Step 3 – VAM import (two methods)

Easiest: Use VAM Launch → Custom Unity Asset → build .assetbundle with your OBJ + textures.
Direct: Replace an existing VAM head morph using the Morph Import tab (JSON format). You’ll need to convert the FaceGen .dsf or .obj morphs via MorphMerger (community tool).

Step 4 – Final tweaks

In VAM: adjust skin gloss, subsurface scattering, and eye depth
Align jaw / eyelid morphs manually (FaceGen eyes often sit too deep)

⚠️ Warning: FaceGen heads usually need scaling (0.95–1.05) and eye rotation fixes. Use the VAM Head & Face control to dial it in.

💬 Questions? Drop them below. I’ll share my import preset if there’s interest.

Option 3: Casual “just figured this out” (good for personal page)

Okay, I finally got FaceGen → VAM working without pulling my hair out.

The trick?

Export OBJ from FaceGen with textures only (no lighting baked)
Use Unity Asset Bundle method, not DAZ (too many steps)
In VAM, load the bundle as a Custom Head → then copy over skin material settings from a base look.

Does it look perfect? No – but 80% there in 10 minutes is magic. Then 20% tweaking sliders.

Let me know if you want the Unity template I used.

The workflow of bringing a face from FaceGen into Virt-A-Mate (VaM) is a cornerstone for creators looking to achieve high-fidelity "look-alike" characters. Since VaM uses the Daz Studio Genesis 2 (G2) mesh as its foundation, FaceGen's ability to export directly to this format makes it an essential bridge for translating 2D photos into 3D avatars. The Role of FaceGen in VaM

FaceGen acts as "middleware" that generates 3D facial geometry (morphs) and skin textures from one or more photographs.

Geometry Generation: It creates a unique 3D head shape that mimics the person in the photo. Texture Mapping

: It generates skin maps (diffuse textures) that align with the 3D model.

Daz Integration: Crucially, FaceGen has a dedicated export button for

, which allows the resulting data to be used by VaM without complex manual rigging. General Export & Import Workflow facegen to vam

Generate in FaceGen: Use the "Photo" tab to scan a face, then refine the shape and color under the "Modify" tab. Export to Daz : Select the

Female (or Male) export option. This creates a .dsf morph file and image textures (face, torso, limbs). Transfer to VaM:

Copy the exported morph file to the Custom/Atom/Person/Morphs/female (or male) directory in your VaM installation. Copy the texture files to your VaM textures folder.

Finalize in VaM: Hard reset VaM to force it to scan and convert the new morph. You can then apply the morph to a character "atom" and load the custom textures in the "Skin Select" menu. Common Challenges & Optimization

While the automated process is powerful, it often requires manual cleanup to look "pro": How to use FaceGen Artist Pro – Part 1 of 3

FaceGen to VaM: The Ultimate Guide to Creating Realistic 3D Avatars

Bringing a real face into Virt-a-Mate (VaM) is the "holy grail" for many creators. While VaM has incredible morphing tools, nothing beats the accuracy of a scan-based head. This is where FaceGen comes in. By using FaceGen Artist Pro, you can turn a few 2D photos into a 3D head and then import that likeness directly into VaM. Why Use FaceGen for VaM?

FaceGen is the industry standard for parametric face modeling. For VaM users, it offers several distinct advantages:

Photo Matching: Automatically creates a 3D mesh based on front and side profile photos.

Texture Generation: It creates high-quality skin textures that match the photos.

Morph Compatibility: The "FaceGen to Daz" pipeline fits perfectly with VaM’s underlying architecture.

Diversity: Easily create different ethnicities, ages, and facial structures that are hard to "sculpt" by hand. Phase 1: Preparing Your Photos

Before opening any software, you need the right source material. Garbage in, garbage out.

Lighting: Use flat, even lighting. Avoid harsh shadows or bright flashes.

Expression: The subject should have a "neutral" expression. No teeth showing. Resolution: Clear, high-resolution photos work best.

Angles: You need one straight-on shot. A side profile shot is highly recommended for nose and chin accuracy. Phase 2: Creating the Face in FaceGen

Load Photos: Open FaceGen Artist Pro and use the "Photofit" feature.

Place Markers: You will place dots on key landmarks: eyes, nose, mouth, and chin. Process: Let FaceGen calculate the 3D shape.

Fine-Tuning: Use the "Modify" tab to tweak the age, gender, or specific features if the auto-fit isn't perfect.

Export: Export the model as a Daz Genesis 2 Female (G2F) or Genesis 8 Female (G8F) file, depending on which VaM generation you prefer. Most VaM users still stick with G2F for performance and asset availability. Phase 3: The Daz Studio Bridge

VaM doesn't read FaceGen files directly; it reads Daz assets.

Apply Morph: Open Daz Studio and load a base G2F or G8F character. Apply the FaceGen morph you just exported.

Texture Setup: Apply the textures generated by FaceGen to the Daz model.

Save as Support Asset: You must save the morph as a "Morph Asset" so VaM can see the data.

Export Textures: Save the skin textures (Face, Torso, Limbs) as .jpg or .png files. Phase 4: Importing into Virt-a-Mate Now for the final step: bringing your creation to life.

Add the Morph: Place your exported Daz morph file into the Custom/Atom/Person/Morphs folder in your VaM directory.

Add Textures: Place your images in Custom/Atom/Person/Textures. Open VaM: Load a Person atom. Apply the Look:

Go to Morphs and search for your FaceGen name. Slide it to 100%. Here’s a balanced, informative review of the FaceGen

Go to Skin Textures and select your custom images for the head and body.

Refine: Use VaM’s internal plugins (like SkinMagic or ThomasHelzle’s shaders) to make the skin look less "flat" and more realistic. Common Troubleshooting Tips

The "Neck Seam": FaceGen textures often have a different color than the body. Use a skin-matching plugin in VaM to blend the head texture with the body.

Sunken Eyes: If the eyes look off, check the "Eye Depth" morph in VaM to align the globes with the new 3D sockets.

Distorted Mouth: Ensure your "Photofit" markers in FaceGen were perfectly aligned on the lip line.

By mastering the FaceGen to VaM pipeline, you can move past generic presets and start creating truly unique, recognizable characters for your scenes. To help you get the best results, How to fix skin tone mismatches between the head and body?

Where to find VAM plugins that automate the texture importing?

I can provide a step-by-step technical breakdown for any of these.

This guide outlines the process for transferring a face created in FaceGen into Virt-A-Mate (VaM). This workflow typically requires using Daz Studio as an intermediary to generate the necessary morph and texture files. 1. Export from FaceGen to Daz Studio

Before moving to VaM, you must first get your FaceGen creation onto a Daz model (usually Genesis 2 Female, as it is the native base for VaM).

In FaceGen Artist, create your face and use the "Export to Daz" function. Select the appropriate figure (e.g., Genesis 2 Female).

FaceGen will create a custom morph file and skin textures within your Daz library directories. 2. Locate and Move Files to VaM

Once exported from FaceGen, you need to manually move the files into your VaM installation folders.

Morph Files: Find the FaceGen exported morph file (usually located in your Daz Genesis 2 Morphs directory under a /FaceGen subfolder). Copy this .dsf file to: VaM_Installation_Path/Custom/Atom/Person/Morphs/female/

Texture Files: Locate the face and body textures FaceGen generated in your Daz Texture folder. Copy these .jpg or .png files to: VaM_Installation_Path/Custom/Atom/Person/Textures/ 3. Initialize the Morph in VaM

VaM needs to index the new files and convert them into its own format.

Hard Reset: Launch VaM and perform a Hard Reset. This forces the background script to scan for and convert the new .dsf morph file into a VaM-compatible format. Load Model: Load a standard Female Atom. Apply Morph: Select the Person Atom. Navigate to the Morphs tab. Search for the name of your FaceGen export. Move the slider to 100% (1.0) to apply the face shape. 4. Apply Textures

To complete the look, you must apply the specific skin textures generated by FaceGen. Go to Skin Materials (under the Person Atom).

Select the Face material and click the texture slot to browse for the image you moved to the Textures folder.

Repeat this for the Body textures if FaceGen generated matching skin for the torso and limbs. 5. Fine-Tuning

Lighting: Add an "Invisible Light Atom" to better see the facial details while adjusting.

Makeup/Hair: Remove default makeup under Skin Materials > No Makeup and clear default hair to ensure the FaceGen textures and morph are displayed accurately.

For more specific troubleshooting or community-made scripts that automate this, you can visit the Virt-A-Mate Hub. Question - Facegen | Virt-A-Mate Hub

Converting a face from FaceGen to Virt-A-Mate (VaM) is a common way to bring realistic likenesses into the sim. Since VaM uses the Daz Genesis 2 (G2)

mesh as its base, the process usually involves using Daz Studio as a bridge.

//hub.virtamate.com/threads/facegen.8966/">Virt-A-Mate Hub . 1. Export from FaceGen to Daz Studio

Generate the Head: Use FaceGen Artist to create your face from photos. Export to Daz: Export the model specifically for Genesis 2 Female

(or Male). This will generate a .dsf morph file and texture files (diffuse/skin maps). 6) Recommended workflow tips

Locate the Files: FaceGen typically saves these in your Daz library under:.../My DAZ 3D Library/data/DAZ 3D/Genesis 2/Female/Morphs/FaceGen 2. Moving Files to VaM

VaM needs to see these files in its own directory structure to recognize them:

The Morph: Copy the exported .dsf morph file from your Daz directory to:VaM_Installation_Folder/Custom/Atom/Person/Morphs/female (or male).

The Textures: Copy the FaceGen-generated skin textures (face and body) to:VaM_Installation_Folder/Custom/Atom/Person/Textures. 3. Loading in Virt-A-Mate

Hard Reset: After copying the files, open VaM and perform a Hard Reset (found in the "System" or "File" tab). This forces VaM to scan for the new morph and convert the .dsf into a VaM-compatible format. Apply the Morph: Select your Person atom.

Go to Morphs and search for the name of your FaceGen export. Turn the slider to 1.0. Apply the Skin:

Go to Skin Select. It is recommended to start with a Base Skin (like "Female 1") to ensure the FaceGen textures align correctly.

Manually load your FaceGen textures into the Face, Torso, and Limbs slots. Troubleshooting Tips

Texture Mismatch: If the head skin looks different from the body, ensure you are using the textures FaceGen exported specifically for that model, as they are "baked" to match.

Morph Not Showing: If the morph doesn't appear after a reset, double-check that the file extension is .dsf and it is in the correct Morphs/female folder.

If you're looking to share your "FaceGen to Virt-A-Mate (VaM)" workflow or showcase a new character look on the Virt-A-Mate Hub

, here are a few post ideas tailored to how creators usually share their work. Option 1: The "New Look" Showcase (For a Character Release)

[Look] Realistic [Character Name] - Custom FaceGen Sculpt & Skin

Finally finished my latest project! This character features a custom head morph and texture generated via FaceGen Artist Pro and refined directly in VaM.

Created the base in FaceGen using reference photos, then exported for Genesis 2. Refinement: Hand-tuned the morphs in VaM using Ruvic's Posing Helper to get the likeness just right.

Optimized the FaceGen skin map to match standard VaM UVs for better blending with body textures.

Required plugins and dependencies are included in the .var file. Option 2: The Workflow/Tutorial Post (Sharing Tips) Guide: Getting Better Likenesses with FaceGen to VaM

I’ve seen a lot of people asking how to get a "one-click" photo-to-VaM character, but as we know, it takes a bit more work than that. Here is my "quick and dirty" workflow for bringing FaceGen results into VaM: FaceGen Export: Export your face as a Genesis 2 (G2) format. Texture Tweaks:

Don't use the raw FaceGen body textures. I recommend adjusting the generated head texture in Photoshop to match your preferred high-quality skin set. VaM Implementation: Load your results and use OnTopReplica

to overlay your original reference photo over the VaM window for precise morphing.

Dial down the "Asymmetry" and "Caricature" sliders in FaceGen before exporting—it makes the initial VaM morph much easier to work with. Option 3: The "Work in Progress" (Seeking Feedback) WIP: Testing FaceGen Likeness — Any tips on the eyes?

Working on a new model using FaceGen. The skin detail is coming along, but I’m struggling to get the eye area to look natural after the G2 conversion. Current Setup: FaceGen Artist Pro -> Daz Studio -> VaM. The Issue: Seeing some texture stretching on the lids.

Has anyone found a better way to bake these textures or specific morphs to fix the "FaceGen look"? Let me know what you think! Key Resources for your Post: How to use FaceGen Artist Pro – Part 1 of 3

2) Import and prepare in Blender

Import OBJ into Blender (File → Import → Wavefront (.obj)).
Clean up:
- Apply scale/rotation (Ctrl+A → Scale/Rotation).
- Recalculate normals if shading looks wrong (Edit Mode → Mesh → Normals → Recalculate Outside).
Check UVs in UV Editor. Ensure the face texture maps correctly.
Separate or join meshes as needed:
- Eyes and teeth are easier to manage as separate objects.
- If FaceGen exported a combined mesh but you want separate eyelids/inner mouth, consider remeshing carefully.
Create simplified material setup:
- Use the exported diffuse texture for the Base Color.
- Add a Normal map if available (set to Non-Color Data).
- Optional: create roughness/specular maps or use principled shader defaults.
Rigging & bones:
- If you need a full body: import or create a separate body mesh and place the head appropriately.
- For VAM face morphs: you can export blend-shapes (shape keys) from Blender later. Create shape keys for expressions you want to preserve.
Export:
- Export as FBX (recommended for VAM) — File → Export → FBX.
- Export selected objects only.
- Use these FBX settings: Apply Transform, Mesh → Apply Modifiers, Path Mode = Copy and embed textures (or keep external textures but note paths).
- Include shape keys (check "Shape Keys" under Mesh).

Overall Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

Powerful but finicky – best for users who want truly unique characters and aren’t afraid of manual tweaking.

Texture Blending (The Skin Trick)

FaceGen textures are flat. VAM needs subsurface scattering (SSS).

Load the FaceGen diffuse map into Photoshop or GIMP.
Overlay a generic VAM skin pore texture (using 'Overlay' blending mode).
Color correction: Remove redness from the nose and cheeks. VAM lighting amplifies redness.
Genital/Skin matching: FaceGen only does the face. You must blend the face texture into a VAM body texture. Use the "Paint" tool in VAM's skin select or use a texture editor to align the neck color.

5. Conclusion

The integration of FaceGen assets into Virt-A-Mate is a process of translation rather than direct import. The most effective workflow abandons the idea of importing the FaceGen geometry directly. Instead, the FaceGen mesh should be treated as a sculpting armature used to deform the native VAM head. Furthermore, the re-projection of UV textures is essential to maintain the photorealistic skin quality generated by FaceGen.

By adhering to this pipeline, creators can leverage the AI power of FaceGen to produce recognizable likenesses while retaining the physics, animation, and expression capabilities of the VAM engine.