Decode the anatomy of facial expression.
A visual, anatomy-based approach to understanding facial motion through the Facial Action Coding System (FACS). Used by animators, modelers, riggers, and researchers at ILM, Netflix, Blizzard, Meta, and Epic Games.
From training AAA studios behind titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Diablo to chimpanzee expression research cited in the New York Times: no face is out of scope.
FACS & Animation Resources
If you’re just getting started, there’s plenty to explore here. Topics range from facial muscle variation to animating eyes in smiles and visualizing phonemes for lip sync .
Searching for better action unit examples for FACS (Facial Action Coding System)? Explore FACS references and beyond!
Need visual examples of key viseme lip shapes? Check out the Viseme Reference Sheet with corresponding phonemes and more.
Having trouble translating ARKit facial blendshapes into FACS? Look no further than the ARKit to FACS Blendshape Sheet.
Stop using dated facial capture protocols. Learn 3 essential tips for optimizing performance capture pipelines, from FACS grouping to ML training data needs.
Toiling with the idea of dropping $350 to learn FACS? While the Manual is a foundational resource, it’s not for everyone. Find out if the FACS Manual is right for you.
Looking for aesthetic facial anatomy diagrams, copyright-free references, or downloadable resources? Check out these forgotten anatomy gems.
Want to get more nuance and articulation control from your characters? Read about the importance of asymmetry for bilabial phonemes and their corresponding viseme shapes.
Are Duchenne smiles as reliable as once thought? Let’s revisit the research around “genuine” vs. posed smiles.
Did you know we don’t always close our lips for /p/’s, /b/’s, and /m/’s? Uncover the reality of viseme variability in speech production, and learn how to embrace it.
Curious about the influence of facial expressions on skin depth? Learn how facial muscle contractions influence forms on the forehead.
An emotional reference library of authentic moments including (but not limited to) crying, laughing, and talking.
A deep dive guide into FACS action units covering anatomical variation and FACS criticisms.
An expanded dissection of ARKit’s facial blendshapes, how they relate to FACS actions, and tips on shape splits.