To perfect the "FaceGen for Genesis 9" pipeline, you should have these in your arsenal:
To bridge to Genesis 9 correctly, specific export settings are required within FaceGen:
The objective is to create a custom, photo-realistic character head for the Genesis 9 base figure using FaceGen's AI-driven generation capabilities. This workflow is widely used in game development, visualization, and digital art to bypass the time-consuming process of box modeling or sculpting from scratch.
FaceGen works best with two photos (front and side). If you use only one photo, the side profile will look like a generic average. For Genesis 9's realistic profiles (which have distinct jawlines from Genesis 8), using one photo results in a "morph clash." Always use two photos.
Requires: FaceGen, ZBrush or Blender, and Daz Studio.
FaceGen for Genesis 9 is not a plug-and-play solution, but a power-user pipeline requiring mesh morphing and texture projection skills. The absence of a native exporter means artists must rely on Morph Loader Pro and UV warping. For character artists seeking quick realism, sticking with FaceGen → Genesis 8.1 → Converter is more reliable. However, for those willing to invest time in manual refinement, the Genesis 9 figure offers superior expressions and rendering performance once the FaceGen shape is successfully transferred.
Final verdict: Viable but technical. Expect 1–2 hours of work per head for acceptable results, vs. 5 minutes for Genesis 8.1. Community scripts are slowly closing the gap.
Last updated: April 2026 – based on Daz Studio 4.23+, FaceGen Artist 3.19, and current community findings.
To generate full content for Genesis 9 (G9) using FaceGen Artist Pro, you must use version 3.33 or higher (specifically FaceGen Artist Pro V4), which introduced native support for G9 meshes and textures. facegen for genesis 9
The process creates a high-fidelity head morph and corresponding texture maps specifically optimized for the Genesis 9 dual-node system (head and mouth). Step-by-Step Workflow How to use FaceGen Artist Pro – Part 1 of 3
Bringing Portraits to Life: A Guide to FaceGen for Genesis 9
Creating hyper-realistic characters in Daz Studio just got a major upgrade. If you’ve been working with
, you know the "Uncanny Valley" is always a looming challenge. Enter FaceGen Artist Pro
, a specialized tool that turns photos into 3D head morphs and skin textures with surprising accuracy.
Here is everything you need to know about using FaceGen for your next Genesis 9 project. Why Genesis 9 is a Game Changer for FaceGen
While FaceGen has supported older generations for years, users have noted that the
implementation is a massive step up. The detail is described as "incredible" and far less plastic-looking than previous versions. Because Genesis 9 uses a unified mesh for male and female characters, the textures and morphs created in FaceGen blend more seamlessly across different character types. How the Workflow Works To perfect the "FaceGen for Genesis 9" pipeline,
The process is straightforward but benefits from a few expert tweaks:
: Load your portrait (and optionally a profile shot) into FaceGen. You don't need a "perfect" studio photo; the software is resilient enough to handle common shadows and highlights that usually trip up other tools like Face Transfer. Fine-Tuning
: Before exporting, use the 150+ controls to adjust asymmetry and face shape.
: Set the "caricature" and "asymmetry" sliders near zero for more natural results, as the software sometimes defaults to overly "plump" faces in Daz. The Export
as your target mesh. The software will generate the morph and high-definition texture maps (diffuse and sub-surface scattering) natively for Iray rendering. Integration
: Open Daz Studio and apply the morph to your Genesis 9 figure. You can find it under Actor > Head > Universal > FaceGen FaceGen vs. Face Transfer
A common question is whether to use FaceGen or Daz’s built-in Face Transfer . According to community veterans at the Daz 3D Forums , FaceGen is often preferred for: FaceGen Artist
The integration of FaceGen Artist Genesis 9 (G9) marks a significant leap in creating hyper-realistic 3D characters from photographs within Daz Studio. Users consistently report that G9 results are "ridiculously better" than previous generations, featuring incredible detail that avoids the "plastic" look common in older models. Key Features for Genesis 9 The latest FaceGen Artist Last updated: April 2026 – based on Daz Studio 4
updates (v4.1 and above) have specifically optimized the workflow for the G9 mesh: Native Texture Creation
: Generates G9-specific textures directly, including high-resolution diffuse and sub-surface scattering (SSS) maps required for realistic Iray rendering. Precision Shape Export
: Creates two distinct files for each shape slider to ensure the morph correctly affects both the head and internal mouth parts of the G9 model. Improved Blending
: Recent versions have significantly improved how generated faces blend into the rest of the body texture, ensuring skin tones match more seamlessly. Landmark Placement
: Users can utilize "Create → Photo" for automatic point placement on front-facing photos, with manual adjustment options for finer control. Performance Comparison: G9 vs. G8/8.1 Reliable, but can look "boxy" or plastic in close-ups.
Far superior realism with smoother geometry and denser mesh. Hardware Demand Lower; easier to render multiple characters on older GPUs. Hardware Demand
Highly VRAM demanding; large scenes may "flatline" on 8GB-10GB cards. Texture Support Standard 4k maps. Texture Support Supports 8k textures and improved SSS components for Iray. Ease of Use Mature ecosystem with thousands of compatible morphs. Ease of Use
Advanced "sticky lip" features and better eye/mouth separation, but steeper learning curve. Expert Workflow & Tips
Well If You Want Gen 9 Capability In FaceGen - Daz 3D Forums Jun 2, 2566 BE —
They have added some improvements over time. The biggest one in 3.12 is that faces blend much better into the rest of the texture.