make a personalized 3D LEGO mini fig head

This is the ultimate gift for any lego-maniac.  A minifig head with your face on it!

There are 4 steps to doing this:

1) digitize face
2) digitally combine face with lego head
3) create 3d printout
4) paint

All the software to do this can be found for free online, the only cost will be time and the 3d print.

I made a video podcast of this build as well with a short semi stop motion video.

Please check out my other instructables as well!

Step 1: Digitizing the face

First you need 3 views of your models face. Left Right and Front.  Try to take them in an area with good light and a background with one colour.  Also pull any hair obscuring the face back out of the way. get your model to keep the same expression on their face for all shots.  I just took a video and captured the still frames I needed with VLC media player (also free) 

There is a free version of an amazing piece of software called FaceGen modeler .
Once downloaded, click on the photofit tab and follow the simple wizard. this will create a 3d model for you.  When my son saw this he said "Wow, that is really weird, it feels like part of me has been taken away and put inside your computer"  I believe that means he approves of the results.

Comments

[Katiejoey]

Awesome wish I knew how to do it

[tinker234]

wow

[craftyv]

Love it to bits: Lego bits of course. If I could I would make these for my grandson, he would really get it. Unfortunately my photo/etc. skills are non-existant. Well done.

[MechanicalMashup]

I was the one who printed this out and wonder what would you pay for a head like this? I wonder if there is a business in it...

[craftyv]

Yes I think there is a business in it, but. Lego would block any attempt to connect your idea to their name. Thinking more broadly, what about providing the service of putting the "client's" provided image onto whatever they want it put on.
Come up with a list of the ideas. eg. Pencil heads, other models, pictures and carvings, chess sets, and so on. I think people would pay for the personal image
but how much I can't guess. [ I'm a pensioner so have no spare funds].
Good luck.

[craftyv]

Love it and I have some ideas for you. I am cooking a roast dinner right now, so see you later.

[CrLz]

Great idea!