Creating CC character with generative AI tool
For realistic character, it is easy to create a character with Character Creator and Headshot plugin (Image Mode).
There is a lot of AI tool for generating realistic human photo, such as AI-Generated Faces Images or Canva Free Online AI Face Generator.
Once generating the human face photo, kindly follow this manual page to create CC character with Headshot plugin (Image Mode) by just a few clicks.
However, Headshot Image Mode can only recognize real human face but not for stylish toon face.
If we do not need a face rig character for viseme, we can just import the custom character model into Character Creator 4, rig it quickly with AccuRIG. Or use the little tool AccuRIG on Actorcore. Kindly check this tips article more the detailed steps.
But how can we create a talkable toon character with AI tool?
There is another mode on Headshot plugin – Mesh Mode. We can turn every face mesh into CC character using Headshot plugin (Mesh Mode).
Step 0 – Preparing and Creating face mesh
If you already had a face mesh, skip this step.
If you have a character face image only, you can turn the 2D image into 3D mesh with any AI tools, Tripo AI is one of the options in this case. Kindly also refer to this manual page for Preparing Source Models.
Different Mesh Types: https://manual.reallusion.com/Headshot_for_CC/ENU/2.0/06-Mesh-Mode/Different-Mesh-Types.htm
Step 1 – Import into Character Creator Headshot plugin (Mesh Mode)
Follow these steps in this page about Quick Mesh Guide: https://manual.reallusion.com/Headshot_for_CC/ENU/2.0/06-Mesh-Mode/Quick-Guide-Mesh-Mode.htm
For full body process, check this manual page: https://manual.reallusion.com/Headshot_for_CC/ENU/2.0/06-Mesh-Mode/Stylized-Mesh-Process.htm
Or the corresponding tutorial video: https://courses.reallusion.com/home/character-creator/pipelines-and-render/headshot?v=making-stylized-characters-with-headshot-2-0-|-headshot-2-0-plug-in-tutorials
Once we finish the ALIGN POINTS with Headshot, the CC character will be created.
Step 2 – Animating Lip-sync with AccuLIPS in iClnoe 8
After fine-tuning the character in Character Creator 4, send it to iClone 8 for further animation. The character is face rig ready, so you can use AccuLIPS directly, or mocap with facial mocap devices with Motion Live in iClone 8.
Depends on your needs, select the mocap equipment that is suitable for you. Please see this comparison chart that we supported for now:
https://mocap.reallusion.com//iclone-motion-live-mocap/gears.html#gear-comparison
(Note: We sell plugins to use the equipment. We do not sell any equipment ourselves.)
Now, check the steps for AccuLIPS in this manual page or the tutorial page.
Step 3 – Done
In conclusion, now AI tools really help us to finish the early preparation work, we can use a few prompt words to generate an image, and then turn it to a 3D mesh. However, the current AI cannot replace the traditional 3D process due to the uncontrollable steps. We still need to sculpt a custom 3D model with Blender, Maya and etc., it is essential to use both AI and 3D tools together for the better result. So here is an idea for combining those tools to speed up the process.
Reallusion Tips 