Workshop Secrets #1 – How We Turn Your Photo into a Custom 3D Action Figure

Have you ever wondered how a single photo can become a physical, hand-painted action figure?

In this behind-the-scenes article, we’ll show you how the heart of every ActionDoll is created: the custom 3D model. From photo to printable file, here’s how the process works.

1. The photo: where everything begins

Every ActionDoll starts with a good photo.

It can be a portrait or a full-body image — the most important things are clarity, good lighting and character. Facial features, body shape, hairstyle and clothing are all interpreted from the photo, making this the most important foundation of the entire process.

Depending on the chosen style (such as Funko-style, Pixar-inspired or superhero), we decide which elements stay realistic and which ones are intentionally stylised.

Tip: A front-facing photo with a neutral background works best for AI-based modelling.

2. AI-assisted 3D modelling

The first digital step is creating a base 3D model from the photo.

We use advanced AI-based tools that can generate a full-body 3D character — even from a single image. At this stage, the model includes:

  • Basic body proportions
  • Recognisable facial features
  • Simplified clothing shapes

The result is a neutral, grey, low-detail humanoid model where:

  • The proportions roughly match the original photo
  • The face is already identifiable
  • Accessories and fine details are still missing

This is only the starting point.

3. Manual refinement and detailing in Blender

AI can generate a base — but it can’t finish a collectible-quality figure.
This is where the most time-intensive and creative part begins.

Using Blender, our artists manually refine and rebuild the model.

Geometry clean-up (retopology)

  • Removing faulty or unnecessary geometry
  • Deleting internal structures
  • Improving face, hands, fingers and hair
  • Converting the mesh to clean quad topology when needed

Posing and proportions

  • Adding a simple skeleton (rig)
  • Setting a natural, action-figure-style standing pose
  • Adjusting proportions for stylised figures
    (larger heads for Funko- or Pixar-inspired characters)

Adding details

  • Clothing sculpted or modelled individually
  • Hair reshaped or re-sculpted
  • Accessories created separately and attached later

Sculpting

  • Defining facial features (nose, eyebrows, smile lines)
  • Adding folds, seams and surface details to clothing
  • Refining skin and hair textures

This is where the figure truly becomes you.

4. Preparing the model for 3D printing

Before printing, the model must be technically flawless.

Combining parts

  • All elements (body, head, clothing, accessories) are merged
  • Internal cavities are removed to ensure a solid model

Making it printable

  • The geometry is sealed to create a watertight, manifold mesh
  • The figure is scaled precisely
    (for example, 150 mm total height)
  • Accessories are resized proportionally

Exporting

  • Final files are saved as STL or OBJ
  • UV maps are created if multi-colour painting is planned

5. Slicing and print preparation

The finished model is then prepared for printing:

  • Imported into slicing software
  • Supports are generated for resin printing
  • Layer height, exposure time and print parameters are set

At this point, the digital model is ready to become a physical object.

Did you know?

Creating a single custom character model can take 2–4 hours — especially when facial features or clothing require extra detail.

That’s why no two ActionDolls are ever the same.

In summary – the ActionDoll 3D modelling process

  1. Photo provided by the customer
  2. AI-generated base model
  3. Manual correction, detailing and posing in Blender
  4. Accessories added
  5. Printable model created
  6. Export and slicing
  7. Preparation for 3D printing
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