Using the Spark AR Studio Face Reference Assets

The Face Reference Assets are a collection of textures and 3D objects. Use them when you're creating face effects in Spark AR Studio.

Download the Face Reference Assets.

What's included in the Face Reference Assets

You'll get 3 assets to use in external software:

• faceMesh.fbx, faceMesh.dae and faceMesh.obj - the face mesh used in our facial tracking. Use it as a scale reference when creating objects and textures.
• faceFeminine.jpg and faceMasculine.jpg - these textures are illustrated to look like real faces. Use them as templates when creating your own custom textures.
• faceMesh.png and faceMeshTrackers.png - these textures show the topology and points on the face tracked by Spark AR Studio. Use them for debugging effects.

You'll also get 2 assets that can be imported straight into Spark AR Studio:

• FaceMeshMask.png - use this texture to blend the edges of a material with the face.
• headOccluder.fbx, headOccluder.dae and headOccluder.obj - use this object to occlude the volume of the head.

faceMesh.fbx, faceMesh.dae and faceMesh.obj

This is the face mesh Spark AR Studio uses to to define someone's face, and track it:

Use this mesh to help you create assets in external software. We recommend using FaceMesh.fbx for maximum compatibility.

As a scale reference

Use the face mesh as a scale reference, for example when you're creating objects like glasses or hats that you'll track to the face.

Using this mesh as a reference will mean objects are the right size when you import them into Spark AR Studio.

Create facial distortion blendshapes

Use 3D software to move the points in this object, to distort the shape of the mesh. You can then import it into Spark AR Studio, and use it as a blendshape to change the shape of someone's face when they're using the effect.

Create custom mask and makeup effects

Use the mesh as a base when you're making textures in external software. For example, as a starting point for making masks, make up effects or maps to use with the physically-based shader.

faceFeminine.jpg and faceMasculine.jpg

Like the face mesh object, these textures can also be used as templates when creating your own textures.

They'll help you see facial features are in more detail - like the start and end of the eyebrows or the volume of the lips.

These textures are grey in tone. You can add the skin tone of your choice.

faceMesh.png and faceMeshTrackers.png

These textures represent the UV layout and topology of the face mesh used in Spark AR Studio. faceMeshTrackers.png features red dots, highlighting the points on the face that are tracked by our system.

Creating textures using these grids as a reference will help you understand where parts of the texture will be positioned in the effect.

Keep in mind these textures omit the face outline points.

FaceMeshMask.png

This texture can be used to fade the edges of a material applied to someone's face. This is useful when you want to blend a material or texture with the face.

In the image below, we've used FaceMeshMask in the effect on the right:

To add this texture to your project:

1. Create a material for a face mesh in your scene.
2. Select the material in the Assets panel.
3. In the Inspector panel, check the box next to Alpha.
4. Import this texture from your computer, using the drop down next to Texture.

headOccluder.fbx, headOccluder.dae and headOccluder.obj

Combine this object with an occluder material to occlude the volume of the head. The mesh won't completely match the user's head, but it can give you a good idea.

This is useful when you're creating effects with items like crowns or hats - because it will hide parts of the item that would be covered by the head in real life.

The face portion is flat. This means it won't interfere with the face mesh you'll add to the scene, which will reflect the face and movement of the user.

Learn more

• Create a simple face effect in Spark AR Studio.
• Build an animated face mask - you'll add a texture to the face and position 3D objects with animations.
• Create an effect with distortion and retouching.