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BLBlender

Facecap Pro

by studioromanrec·Workflow

Images © studioromanrec. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Facecap Pro stands out in the Superhive library for driving Blender facial animation from any camera source, then pushing the result into Auto-Rig Pro rigs in one click.

What is Facecap Pro?

Facecap Pro is an AI-driven facial motion capture add-on for Blender that turns video into animation data. It works with any MP4, MOV or AVI file, so footage from a cheap webcam, an Android phone or a pre-recorded clip can drive a character. The AI automatically extracts all 52 ARKit-compatible blendshapes, along with eye tracking, head rotation and audio-to-viseme sync.

The Pro version adds full Auto-Rig Pro integration, transferring animation to ARP characters in one click and automatically driving face controllers, eye targets and head bones. It includes every feature of the Basic version within a professional-grade pipeline, and also supports custom rigs by mapping data to your character's shape keys.

The workflow runs inside Blender: record a performance with any camera, load the video into the Facecap panel, click Process to let the AI solve the motion, then use built-in smoothing to refine the result. Facecap Pro works with rigs created using the Auto-Rig Pro add-on, and a free sample rig is available from its developer if you don't already have one.

Who is Facecap Pro best for?

Facecap Pro is best for blender artists and animators who want to produce facial animation from ordinary video footage and Auto-Rig Pro characters.

How much does Facecap Pro cost?

Facecap Pro is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Generates facial animation from any MP4, MOV or AVI video, with no iPhone, TrueDepth sensor or mocap suit required
  • AI automatically extracts all 52 ARKit-compatible blendshapes
  • High-fidelity eye tracking, head rotation and audio-to-viseme sync
  • Full Auto-Rig Pro integration with one-click animation transfer to ARP characters
  • Automatically drives face controllers, eye targets and head bones
  • Custom rig support by mapping data to your character's shape keys
  • Built-in smoothing to refine captured motion

Tags

#facial mocap#facial animation#motion capture#AI#Blender add-on#Auto-Rig Pro#ARKit blendshapes#performance capture

Frequently asked questions

What Blender versions does Facecap Pro support?

Facecap Pro is listed as compatible with Blender versions 4.2 through 5.0 and is distributed as a Blender extension add-on. It works with the Cycles and Eevee render engines. If you run one of these supported versions, the add-on installs directly into Blender, and you should confirm your exact build against the developer's page to make sure your setup falls within the stated range. This helps avoid compatibility issues before you begin capturing facial animation from video.

Does Facecap Pro require an iPhone or depth sensor?

Facecap Pro does not require an iPhone, TrueDepth sensor or specialized mocap suit. It processes any video source, including a 720p webcam, an Android phone or a pre-recorded clip, as long as there is a visible face. Supported formats are MP4, MOV and AVI. You record a performance with any camera, load the clip into the Facecap panel in Blender, then let the AI solve the motion.

How do I install Facecap Pro in Blender?

Facecap Pro installs as a Blender add-on. After installing it, click the "Install Dependencies" button to add the required libraries. Once that installation completes, you must restart Blender, and the add-on will be ready to use after the restart. From there you can load video into the Facecap panel, click Process to solve the motion, and use the built-in smoothing to refine the result.

Does Facecap Pro work with Auto-Rig Pro rigs?

Facecap Pro works with rigs created using the Auto-Rig Pro add-on. It offers one-click animation transfer to ARP characters and automatically drives face controllers, eye targets and head bones. If you do not yet have an Auto-Rig Pro rig, a free sample rig is provided by them, linked from the developer's page. The add-on also supports custom rigs by mapping captured data to your own character's shape keys.

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