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Face Factory
Reviewed
by: Robin
Nobles,
send e-mail
Published
by: Ulead
Systems, go
to the web site
Requires:
Pentium processor with MMX Technology 166 MHz; Win 95/98;
32 MB RAM; 2 MB PCI graphics adapter (800x600 resolution,
Hi-color, 16 bit); 100 MB free hard disk space
MSRP:
$39.95
Have
you ever wondered what it would be like to work with special
effects in a high tech science fiction movie? To be able to
rearrange the look of one of your characters with a software
program? If so, you'll love Face Factory. With Face Factory,
you take two photos of a person - a side view and a front
view - and "combine" them to create a 3D head of
that person. Then, you can make the head look like an alien
or a Russian doll or anything in between. You can animate
it or you can send it to Grandma through e- mail. You can
use your own photos or play with some heads that come with
the program. Your own photos can come from digital cameras,
scanners, photos on a floppy disk, video cameras or photos
already on your hard drive.
I first
tried to install the program on my old computer system (200
MHz with MMX, 64 MB RAM) and I kept getting an error message
that said the program had performed an illegal operation and
had to be shut down. In order to repair the problem, I needed
to download a new driver for my display card. To make matters
easier, I decided to install the program on my new system
(500 MHz with MMX, 128 MB RAM), and I had absolutely no problems
whatsoever. So, if your system is a few years old, you may
have to install drivers from Ulead's website.
Before
you begin, I highly recommend that you click on the question
mark at the top right hand corner of the screen. You're then
presented with an easy explanation of the steps required to
create your model. The Quick Start Card is also very helpful.
To begin, select a front view of your photo. Does the photo
need to be edited? No problem! You can remove the background,
crop off portions, rotate the head, or tilt the head if its
off- center. Once you've finished with the front view, go
through the same process with the side view. In order for
your 3D head to look realistic, you'll need to align portions
of both pictures so that the eyes, ears, and nose are at the
same level and match. Now, the fun begins. Click on the red
mask on the bottom control panel and your 3D head will be
created. You can watch its progress by looking at the picture
of the head next to the mask.
The results
are absolutely amazing, and there isn't a kid anywhere that
wouldn't enjoy this. You can manipulate the head (which appears
to be floating around in space!) to where it's larger or smaller,
or you can rotate it to see all sides, as if the head were
on a platter. Once you've created your 3D head, click on the
yellow computer on the bottom control panel and be prepared
to feel like you're right in the middle of a sci-fi movie.
You can make your head look like an alien or a cube. Turn
the head upside down (which is pretty freaky), or make it
REALLY big. The special effects are fantastic. And that's
not all! You can also create an animated head by utilizing
the "Filmstrip" function!
Once you've
finished, send your creation to a friend through e-mail, post
it on your web site, or create a personalized screen saver.
You can download a free trial version of Face Factory at Ulead's
web site. If you're looking for family entertainment, Face
Factory is definitely it! It's just plain high tech fun!
Letters
to the Editor are welcome and occasionally abused in public.
Send e-mail to: whine@kickstartnews.com
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