What each part of the prompt does
- Style without a brand
- "3D animated film character" and "a frame from a modern animated feature" describe the look in plain words. That is enough for the model and avoids leaning on any studio's name.
- Recognisable traits
- Face shape, hair, skin tone, eyes, glasses or beard and clothes are the traits people use to recognise someone in a cartoon. Listing them keeps the likeness through the stylisation.
- How far to stylise
- Slightly larger eyes and rounded features with realistic proportions sits between a caricature and a photo. Change "slightly" to "much" for a more cartoon result.
- Light and finish
- Soft subsurface light gives the gentle glow on skin that 3D animation is known for, and the clean background keeps the image ready to use as an avatar.
Variations to try
Same idea, one thing changed. These have no example image yet.
Adventure scene Turn the person in my uploaded photo into a 3D animated film character, looking excited and determined. Keep what makes them recognisable: face shape, hairstyle, hair colour, skin tone, eye colour, beard or glasses if they have them, and the same clothes. Slightly larger eyes and softer, rounded features, but realistic body proportions. Smooth stylised skin, soft subsurface light, rich but natural colour, a sunny jungle clearing with leaves blurred in the background, rendered like a frame from a modern animated feature. Head and chest, portrait 4:5 frame.
Cosy evening Turn the person in my uploaded photo into a 3D animated film character, relaxed and laughing. Keep what makes them recognisable: face shape, hairstyle, hair colour, skin tone, eye colour, beard or glasses if they have them, and the same clothes. Slightly larger eyes and softer, rounded features, but realistic body proportions. Smooth stylised skin, soft subsurface light, rich but natural colour, a warm living room at night lit by a lamp, softly blurred, rendered like a frame from a modern animated feature. Head and chest, portrait 4:5 frame.
Bright colour backdrop Turn the person in my uploaded photo into a 3D animated film character, giving a cheerful wave. Keep what makes them recognisable: face shape, hairstyle, hair colour, skin tone, eye colour, beard or glasses if they have them, and the same clothes. Slightly larger eyes and softer, rounded features, but realistic body proportions. Smooth stylised skin, soft subsurface light, rich but natural colour, a plain bright teal background, rendered like a frame from a modern animated feature. Head and chest, portrait 4:5 frame.
If the result isn't right
- If the character no longer looks like you, add "keep my exact hairstyle and face shape, only stylise the rendering".
- When the eyes come out huge, ask for "eyes only a little larger than real".
- Clothes sometimes turn into a costume; say "same clothes as in the photo, same colours".
- For a group photo, describe each person in a short list so nobody gets merged or dropped.