A closer likeness can be achieved by calibrating the rig using scanned data – the more scanned data available, the closer the potential likeness.
A list of expressions that might be scanned for different levels of likeness, alongside a visual reference is provided below.
Levels of Likeness
The level of likeness is defined by the number of expressions used to calibrate the rig. There are three main levels of likeness:
MH1 - Likeness in neutral only. Other expressions are estimated statistically using the MetaHuman database.
MH12 - Captures the essence of an actor's main expressions and facial gestures.
MH50 - Captures an elaborate likeness of the actor’s ‘charm’.
MH4D - A more nuanced likeness, particularly in high-frequency areas, achieved from processing thousands of frames of data. This level of likeness is not supported by Expression Editor.
Scan Reference
The following is a visual reference of the expressions that might be scanned for each level of likeness. Each expression is accompanied by a brief description.
When scanning an actor, it’s important to remember that not everyone will be able to match the expression exactly as shown here. The ability of the actor and on-set direction will influence what is achievable. While the aim should be to isolate each expression as much as possible, this is very hard in some cases and each actor will be different.
Once captured, each scan needs to be cleaned up to remove noise and properly isolate the expression before using it to calibrate the rig with Expression Editor. The amount of cleanup required will depend on the actor and quality of the scan.
Although indicative of a real actor, the visual references have been generated from synthetic data using a MetaHuman Preset (Ada) and therefore represent a best case scenario for each expression.
For all expressions, the face is focused on the front camera, facing forward, and without any head tilt or forward movement. For those that do not include a ‘jaw open’ component, the teeth should be touching but not clenched, unless described otherwise.
| Neutral Open | Neutral |
|---|---|
 |  |
Relaxed face with the teeth touching, but not clenched, and the lips slightly open. | Relaxed face with the teeth touching, but not clenched. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH1, MH12, MH50 |
| Upper Lip Raiser | Upper Lip Raiser Jaw Open |
|---|---|
 |  |
The upper lip is raised, similar to nose wrinkler. | The upper lip is raised with the jaw open. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Sharp Lip Corner Puller | Lip Corner Pull Left |
|---|---|
 |  |
Smile with the vertical lip muscles that stretch from the upper lip upwards rather than the lip corner muscles. Sour or sarcastic smile. | Pull the left lip corner into a wide smile without showing the teeth as the lips remain closed. The right side of the face stays neutral. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Lip Corner Pull Right | Lip Corner Puller Jaw Open |
|---|---|
 |  |
Pull the right lip corner into a wide smile without showing the teeth as the lips remain closed. The left side of the face stays neutral. | Pull the corners of the lips into a wide smile, with the jaw open. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Dimpler | Dimpler Jaw Open |
|---|---|
 |  |
Pull the mouth corners backwards, pressing cheeks against the teeth to make dimples in the corner of the mouth. It is a horizontal expression, and the lips should not go up as in lip corner puller. | Pull the mouth corners backwards, pressing cheeks against the teeth to make dimples in the corner of the mouth, with the jaw open. It is a horizontal expression, and the lips should not go up as in lip corner puller. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Mouth Corner Depressor | Mouth Stretch Jaw Open |
|---|---|
 |  |
Depress corners of the mouth, without raising the chin. Sad/frown. | Show the lower teeth as much as possible by pulling the lower lip with the neck muscles, and the jaw open. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Purse | Pucker Jaw Open |
|---|---|
 |  |
Tighten the lips, moving them towards the center to make them thin without pressing them together. | Fully push the lips forward, keeping them tightly pressed, with the jaw open. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Lips Forward | Funneler |
|---|---|
 |  |
Push the lips forward without pursing or pressing them together. Duck lips. | Position the lips as if saying the syllable “ch”. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Funneler Jaw Open | Pucker Funneler OH |
|---|---|
 |  |
Position the lips as if saying the syllable “ch”, with the jaw open. | Position the lips as if saying “oooh”. The jaw should be closed with the lips slightly opened and the teeth touching. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| OH Jaw Open | Mouth Pressor |
|---|---|
 |  |
Position the lips as if saying “oooh” with the jaw open. | Press the lower and upper lips together, rolling them inward, without raising the chin or moving the lip corners. An exaggerated “hmmm”. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Mouth Left | Mouth Right |
|---|---|
 |  |
Move the lips all the way to the left with the teeth touching. | Move the lips all the way to the right with the teeth touching. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Jaw Open | Jaw Open Extreme |
|---|---|
 |  |
Open the jaw fully without over extending, and without moving or tilting the head. The intensity of the jaw open should be ~20% less than the jaw open extreme expression. | Open the jaw fully with maximum intensity, and without moving or tilting the head. |
Used by: MH12, MH50 | Used by: MH12, MH50 |
| Chin Raiser | Lip Corner Puller |
|---|---|
 |  |
Chin muscles are used to raise the lower lip. | Pull the corners of the lips into a wide smile, without showing teeth as the lips remain closed. |
Used by: MH12, MH50 | Used by: MH12, MH50 |
| Mouth Stretch | Pucker |
|---|---|
 |  |
Show the lower teeth as much as possible by pulling the lower lip with the neck muscles. | Fully push the lips forward, keeping them tightly pressed. Kiss shape. |
Used by: MH12, MH50 | Used by: MH12, MH50 |
| Nose Wrinkler | Cheek Raiser |
|---|---|
 |  |
Wrinkle the nose upwards with the upper lip raised and middle portion of the brows lowered. The lips do not tighten. Snarling. | Contract the cheeks to see cheek wrinkles in the corners of the eyes. Similar to a wink. |
Used by: MH12, MH50 | Used by: MH12, MH50 |
| Squint Inner | Brows Raiser |
|---|---|
 |  |
Inner eyelid muscles contract with the outer cheek muscles staying relaxed. | Raise the eyebrows fully, without widening the eyes. Surprised. |
Used by: MH12, MH50 | Used by: MH12, MH50 |
| Brows Lower | Blow |
|---|---|
 |  |
Wrinkle the eyebrows downwards. Frowning/angry. | Inflate the cheeks. |
Used by: MH12, MH50 | Used by: MH12, MH50 |
| Lower Lip Depress | Face Scrunch |
|---|---|
 |  |
Lower the lower lip while keeping the rest of the face relaxed. The teeth are touching, but not clenched. | Squeeze the eyes, lower and wrinkle the eyebrows, wrinkle the nose, tighten the lips and push them upwards. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Face Wide | Smile Open |
|---|---|
 |  |
Raise the eyebrows, widen the eyes, open the jaw and widen the mouth fully. | A wide smile with the lips open and lower lip jaw depressed. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Smile Stretch | Show Teeth |
|---|---|
 |  |
Show the teeth and gums as much as possible while retaining the teeth in the neutral position. Upper teeth over lower teeth in an overbite. Lip corners should be horizontal. | Show the teeth as much as possible, including the lower teeth. Upper and lower teeth are on the same plane. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Look Left | Look Right |
|---|---|
 |  |
Look far left, horizontally, without moving the head or eye lids. | Look far right, horizontally, without moving the head or eye lids. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Look Up | Look Down |
|---|---|
 |  |
Look far up, vertically, without moving the head or eyebrows. | Look far down, vertically, without moving the head or eyebrows. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Look Up Left | Look Up Right |
|---|---|
 |  |
Look far up and to the left, without moving the head or eyebrows. | Look far up and to the right, without moving the head or eyebrows. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Look Down Left | Look Down Right |
|---|---|
 |  |
Look far down and to the left, without moving the head or eyebrows. | Look far down and to the right, without moving the head or eyebrows. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Blink | Eyes Closed |
|---|---|
 |  |
Eyes closed and relaxed. | Eyes closed and relaxed. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Head Tilt Left | Head Tilt Right |
|---|---|
 |  |
Tilt the head to the left holding a neutral expression. | Tilt the head to the right holding a neutral expression. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Head Turn Up | Head Turn Down |
|---|---|
 |  |
Turn the head up holding a neutral expression. | Turn the head down holding a neutral expression. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |
| Head Turn Left | Head Turn Right |
|---|---|
 |  |
Turn the head left holding a neutral expression. | Turn the head right holding a neutral expression. |
Used by: MH50 | Used by: MH50 |