FaceGen File Import

FaceGen is a 3rd Party program produced by Singular Inversions designed to create 3D Model heads including those produced by taking a photo of an actor and mapping it onto a 3D head semi-automatically.  FrameForge can import heads made in FaceGen and apply them to any installed actor's costume.

VERY IMPORTANT COMPATIBILITY ISSUES

FrameForge's FaceGen to FrameForge Importer ONLY works with FaceGen Versions 3.0 through Version 3.5 when exporting the FrameForge specific model set as described below, OR with FaceGen Version 3.15 or later when combined with FrameForge Version 4.0.  FaceGen Versions between 3.6 and 3.14 are not compatible and you should upgrade or downgrade your copy of FaceGen accordingly.

For FaceGen Version 3.5

1. Download this file: FrameForge Model Set and extract it into C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\FaceGen\Modeller3\ModelSets\where USERNAME is normally your login name.  
   1. You can jump to this folder by pressing the Windows Logo Key + R typing %APPDATA% (including both percentage signs) and pressing enter. 
   2. This will take you to the C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\folder and you then can navigate to FaceGen\Modeller3\ModelSets.
   3. From there make a new folder within the ModelSets folder named csamVersion 3.5a Actors and extract the files from the zip you downloaded directly into it,
   4. Launch FaceGen and select the FrameForge Model Set you just installed, to do so, go to the Model Menu and choose Change Model Set and select the one named FrameForge Version 3.5 Actors
   5. Now, click the CHANGE POLYS button and make sure that the parts Left Eye, Right Eye, Skin, Sock, Teeth Lower, Teeth Upper and Tongue are all shown.
      

For FaceGen Version 3.15+

(only compatible with FrameForge Version 4.0+)

1. Download this file: FrameForge Model Set and extract it into C:\Users\USERNAME\My Documents\FaceGen\ModelSets\where USERNAME is normally your login name.  
   1. You can jump to this folder by clicking the Windows Start Button then clicking Documents then navigating to FaceGen\ModelSets.
   2. From there make a new folder within the ModelSets folder named FrameForge Model Set and extract the files from the zip you downloaded directly into it.
   3. Launch FaceGen and select the FrameForge Model Set you just installed, by clicking the Model Set tab and choose the FrameForge Model Set tab
   4. Make sure that the parts Left Eye, Right Eye, Skin, Sock, Teeth Lower, Teeth Upper and Tongue are all checked.

Creating the Export File

Setup the face as desired, then add the hair you want this face to have. If you want this face in FrameForge to have multiple hairstyles options then select all the ones you want available.  (yes, it will look ugly in FaceGen but it won’t in FrameForge).  You do this with the CHANGE POLYS button in FaceGen Version 3.5 and on the Model Set tab in FaceGen Version 3.14+

Next, from within FaceGen, Export the face in 3DS format (sometimes called AutoDesk sometimes called 3D Studio) and choose TGA format for graphics, and select Full Size Images (if available), and Current Expression, leaving everything else in their default values.  Give the model a name and note where you are exporting it to.

Importing 3DS files created with FaceGen 

Before you can import a 3DS file created with FaceGen you need to install the appropriate FaceGen to FrameForge Converter by downloading the appropriate CPack file

For FrameForge Version 3.5 or Version 3.6  download FaceGen Importer Data & Executable and extract it directly into the FrameForge program folder.

For FrameForge Version 4.0 or later you need to download two files, the FaceGen Importer Data Pack Executable which you'll extract  directly into the FrameForge program folder, and a FaceGen Importer Data Pack.cpack which you install like you would any other expansion pack.

Once you have the Importer and any data packs configured, launch the FaceGen Importer Program from within the FrameForge program folder, select the body type you want to have the head attached to and then select the exported .3ds file and follow all on-screen prompts.

Troubleshooting FaceGen Exporting

If you are using FaceGen Version 3.5, then you must use the model set FrameForge Version 3.5 Actors and you must have--at the bare minimum the meshes (or parts) selected as shown below.  If the Model Set shown on the title of the FaceGen Modeller is not the same as the one below, then go back and follow the instructions here:.