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Updated on March 10, 2025

Blendshapes

Estimated reading: 21 minutes

Autodesk Flow Studio supports facial animation by utilizing blendshapes based on FACS (Facial Action Coding System).
Our system supports 88 unique blendshapes. The animation will be generated by analyzing your video and then applying the resulting animation to the character’s blendShapes.

Blendshapes will need to be named correctly in order for the system to recognize them.

Although not mandatory, it is highly beneficial to have a full set of blendshapes.The system will use the available blendshapes.
The fidelity of the animation will increase if more shapes are available.

A list of all blendshape names
 
				
					browInnerDnL
browInnerDnR
browInnerUpL
browInnerUpR
browOuterDnL
browOuterDnR
browOuterUpL
browOuterUpR
browSqueezeL
browSqueezeR
cheekBlowL
cheekBlowR
cheekUpL
cheekUpR
eyeBlinkL
eyeBlinkR
eyeCompressL
eyeCompressR
eyeDn
eyeL
eyeR
eyeSquintL
eyeSquintR
eyeUp
eyeWidenLowerL
eyeWidenLowerR
eyeWidenUpperL
eyeWidenUpperR
jawIn
jawL
jawOpen
jawOut
jawR
lipChinRaiserL
lipChinRaiserR
lipCloseLower
lipCloseUpper
lipCornerDnL
lipCornerDnR
lipCornerUpL
lipCornerUpR
lipDimplerL
lipDimplerR
lipFunnelerLower
lipFunnelerUpper
lipLowerDnL
lipLowerDnR
lipLowerPullDnL
lipLowerPullDnR
lipLowerUpL
lipLowerUpR
lipNarrowL
lipNarrowR
lipPoutLower
lipPoutUpper
lipPresserL
lipPresserR
lipPucker
lipPullL
lipPullR
lipPushLower
lipPushUpper
lipSmileClosedL
lipSmileClosedR
lipSmileOpenL
lipSmileOpenR
lipSneerL
lipSneerR
lipStickyL
lipStickyR
lipSuckLower
lipSuckUpper
lipSwingL
lipSwingR
lipTightnerL
lipTightnerR
lipUpperDnL
lipUpperDnR
lipUpperUpL
lipUpperUpR
lipWidenL
lipWidenR
noseCompress
noseFlare
noseSneerL
noseSneerR
noseWrinklerL
noseWrinklerR

The following part of the documentation will focus on providing names and descriptions for all blendshapes and demonstrating their function.
Blendshapes are split into several groups that represent parts of the face those blendshapes are activating.
For each group of blendshapes, there can be up to 3 (three) tiers. Tiers should provide a clear progression from basic (First Tier) to intermediate (Second Tier) to full functionality (Third Tier). Note that tiers do not indicate the difficulty of creating a certain blendshape.

Gaze

Eye rotations, in the examples below, are for illustrative purposes only and should not be a part of this shape. For more information on how to set up eye bones for Autodesk Flow Studio visit the Linking Eyes page.

eyeDn

“eyeDn”, “eyeL”, “eyeR” and “eyeUp” are all meant to work together to change the shape of the eyelid as the eyeball rotates.

eyeL

“eyeDn”, “eyeL”, “eyeR” and “eyeUp” are all meant to work together to change the shape of the eyelid as the eyeball rotates.

eyeR

“eyeDn”, “eyeL”, “eyeR” and “eyeUp” are all meant to work together to change the shape of the eyelid as the eyeball rotates.

eyeUp

“eyeDn”, “eyeL”, “eyeR” and “eyeUp” are all meant to work together to change the shape of the eyelid as the eyeball rotates.

Eyelids

eyeBlinkL

“eyeBlinkL” is a closed eye shape. Tip: for blink shapes, the lower lids very little if at all. Most of the movement should be from upper lid.

eyeBlinkR

“eyeBlinkR” is a closed eye shape. Tip: for blink shapes, the lower lids very little if at all. Most of the movement should be from upper lid.

eyeSquintL

“eyeSquintL” is a squint shape for the lower lid. Tip: it is good to move the line beneath the lower lid on this shape. Moving that line keeps the face alive and aids in keeping the eye looking "happy" during smiles.

eyeSquintR

“eyeSquintR” is a squint shape for the lower lid. Tip: it is good to move the line beneath the lower lid on this shape. Moving that line keeps the face alive and aids in keeping the eye looking "happy" during smiles.

eyeWidenLowerL

“eyeWidenLowerL” is meant to widen the lid for a surprised look.

eyeWidenLowerR

“eyeWidenLowerR” is meant to widen the lid for a surprised look.

eyeWidenUpperL

“eyeWidenUpperL” is meant to widen the lid for a surprised look.

eyeWidenUpperR

“eyeWidenUpperR” is meant to widen the lid for a surprised look.

eyeCompressL

“eyeCompressL” is meant to work together with “eyeBlinkL” to compress the eye when the eye is shut. Tip: Do not move the eyelid on this shape. It is meant to compress the meat around the eye. Moving the eyelid here can result in unpredictable results.

eyeCompressR

“eyeCompressR” is meant to work together with “eyeBlinkR” to compress the eye when the eye is shut. Tip: Do not move the eyelid on this shape. It is meant to compress the meat around the eye. Moving the eyelid here can result in unpredictable results.

Eyebrows

browInnerDnL

“browInnerDnL” is meant to work together with “browOuterDnL”. So when both shapes are applied, they move the entire brow.

browInnerDnR

“browInnerDnR” is meant to work together with “browOuterDnR”. So when both shapes are applied, they move the entire brow.

browInnerUpL

“browInnerUpL” is meant to work together with “browOuterUpL”. So when both shapes are applied, they move the entire brow.

browInnerUpR

“browInnerUpR” is meant to work together with “browOuterUpR”. So when both shapes are applied, they move the entire brow.

browOuterDnL

“browOuterDnL” is meant to work together with “browInnerDnL”. So when both shapes are applied, they move the entire brow.

browOuterDnR

“browOuterDnR” is meant to work together with “browInnerDnR”. So when both shapes are applied, they move the entire brow.

browOuterUpL

“browOuterUpL” is meant to work together with “browInnerUpL”. So when both shapes are applied, they move the entire brow.

browOuterUpR

“browOuterUpR” is meant to work together with “browInnerUpR”. So when both shapes are applied, they move the entire brow.

browSqueezeL

“browSqueezeL” is meant to work together with “browInnerL” and “browSqueezeR” to pinch the brows together.

browSqueezeR

“browSqueezeR” is meant to work together with “browInnerR” and “browSqueezeL” to pinch the brows together.

Nose

noseWrinklerL

“noseWrinklerL” works together with “noseWrinklerR” to create a scrunched-up nose shape.

noseWrinklerR

“noseWrinklerR” works together with “noseWrinklerL” to create a scrunched-up nose shape.

noseSneerL

“noseSneerL” works together with “lipSneerL” to create a sneer shape.

noseSneerR

“noseSneerR” works together with “lipSneerR” to create a sneer shape.

noseCompress

“noseCompress” will tighten the nostrils. Good for sniffing.

noseFlare

“noseFlare” stretches out the nostrils. Good for heavy breathing.

Cheeks

cheekBlowL

“cheekBlowL” is meant to work together with “cheekBlowR” to puff out the cheeks.

cheekBlowR

“cheekBlowR” is meant to work together with “cheekBlowL” to puff out the cheeks.

cheekUpL

“cheekUpL” is meant to be combined with eye shapes to get the eyes smiling. Tip: You should move the line under the lower eyelid on this shape to help the face feel alive.

cheekUpR

“cheekUpR” is meant to be combined with eye shapes to get the eyes smiling. Tip: You should move the line under the lower eyelid on this shape to help the face feel alive.

Jaw

jawOpen

“jawOpen” is an open jaw shape that should work with “jawL”, “jawR”, “jawIn” and “jawOut” to give the full range of motion to the jaw. Tip: JawOpen is one of the most important shapes. Please see the jawOpen section for more information.

lipCloseLower

“lipCloseLower” is meant to work with “jawOpen” so the lower lip stays closed while the jaw is open. This is an inverse shape. Please see the lipClose Shapes section for more information.

lipCloseUpper

“lipCloseUpper” is meant to work with “jawOpen” so the upper lip stays closed while the jaw is open. This is an inverse shape. Please see the lipClose Shapes section for more information.

jawL

“jawL” and “jawR” work together to swing the jaw left and right. The teeth, gums and tongue should move along with this shape.

jawR

“jawR” and “jawL” work together to swing the jaw left and right. The teeth, gums and tongue should move along with this shape.

jawIn

“jawIn” and “jawOut” work together to rock the jaw forwards and backward. The teeth, gums and tongue should move along with this shape.

jawOut

“jawOut” and “jawIn” work together to rock the jaw forwards and backward. The teeth, gums and tongue should move along with this shape.

Mouth

lipFunnelerLower

“lipFunnelerLower” and “lipFunnelerUpper” shapes are meant to work together to create an “oooh” shape.

lipFunnelerUpper

“lipFunnelerUpper” and “lipFunnelerLower” shapes are meant to work together to create an “oooh” shape.

lipPucker

“lipPucker” is meant for kissing or sucking shapes.

lipSwingL

“lipSwingL” works together with “lipSwingR” and the rest of the mouth shapes to roll the mouth from left to right.

lipSwingR

“lipSwingR” works together with “lipSwingL” and the rest of the mouth shapes to roll the mouth from left to right.

lipSuckLower

“lipSuckLower” works together with “lipSuckUpper” to create sucking shapes, like drinking from a straw. It is also used for making speech shapes like the letter "F" or "V".

lipSuckUpper

“lipSuckUpper” works together with “lipSuckLower” to create sucking shapes, like drinking from a straw. It is also used for making speech shapes like the letter "F" or "V".

lipPoutLower

“lipPoutLower” is meant to roll the lip inward to make a worried lip-biting shape.

lipPoutUpper

“lipPoutUpper” is meant to roll the lip inward to make a worried lip-biting shape.

lipUpperDnL

“lipUpperDnL” is meant to work together with “lipUpperDnR” to pull the upper lip downward from the center of the lip.

lipUpperDnR

“lipUpperDnR” is meant to work together with “lipUpperDnL” to pull the upper lip downward from the center of the lip.

lipLowerUpL

“lipLowerUpL” is meant to work with “lipLowerUpR” to pull the lower lip upward.

lipLowerUpR

“lipLowerUpR” is meant to work with “lipLowerUpL” to pull the lower lip upward.

lipSmileClosedL

“lipSmileClosedL” works together with “lipSmileClosedR” to create a closed-mouth smile shape.

lipSmileClosedR

“lipSmileClosedR” works together with “lipSmileClosedL” to create a closed-mouth smile shape.

lipCornerDnL

“lipCornerDnL” pulls the corner of the lips down into a frown.

lipCornerDnR

“lipCornerDnR” pulls the corner of the lips down into a frown.

lipDimplerL

“lipDimplerL” pulls the lips and cheek into a dimple.

lipDimplerR

“lipDimplerR” pulls the lips and cheek into a dimple.

lipSneerL

“lipSneerL” works together with “noseSneerL” to create a sneer shape.

lipSneerR

“lipSneerR” works together with “noseSneerR” to create a sneer shape.

lipLowerPullDnL

“lipLowerPullDnL” is meant to work together with “lipLowerPullDnR” to pull the lower lip downward from the corner of the lip.

lipLowerPullDnR

“lipLowerPullDnR” is meant to work together with “lipLowerPullDnL” to pull the lower lip downward from the corner of the lip.

lipPresserL

“lipPresserL” is meant to be used with “lipPresserR” to make a tight (or tense) lip shape.

lipPresserR

“lipPresserR” is meant to be used with “lipPresserL” to make a tight (or tense) lip shape.

lipPullL

“lipPullL” is meant to work with “lipPullR” to pull the mouth into a grimace. Tip: This shape differs from "lipLowerPullDnL" by the fact that it pulls the lip at a 45 degree angle instead of strainht down.

lipPullR

“lipPullR” is meant to work with “lipPullL” to pull the mouth into a grimace. Tip: This shape differs from "lipLowerPullDnR" by the fact that it pulls the lip at a 45 degree angle instead of straight down.

lipNarrowL

“lipNarrowL” is meant to work together with “lipNarrowR” to pull the corners in and make a small mouth.
Note:This is a technical shape that works in combination with a lot of other shapes to manage the size of the mouth. To find out more about it see the Facial Tips and Tricks page.

lipNarrowR

“lipNarrowR” is meant to work together with “lipNarrowL” to pull the corners in and make a small mouth.
Note:This is a technical shape that works in combination with a lot of other shapes to manage the size of the mouth. To find out more about it see the Facial Tips and Tricks page.

lipCornerUpL

“lipCornerUpL” pulls the corner of the lips up from neutral.

lipCornerUpR

“lipCornerUpR” pulls the corner of the lips up from neutral.

lipLowerDnL

“lipLowerDnL” is meant to work together with “lipLowerDnR” to pull the lower lip downward from the center of the lip.

lipLowerDnR

“lipLowerDnR” is meant to work together with “lipLowerDnL” to pull the lower lip downward from the center of the lip.

lipPushLower

“lipPushLower” pushes the lower lip outwards.

lipPushUpper

“lipPushUpper” pushes the upper lip outwards.

lipUpperUpL

“lipUpperUpL” is meant to work with “lipUpperUpR” to pull the upper lip upward.

lipUpperUpR

“lipUpperUpR” is meant to work with “lipUpperUpL” to pull the upper lip upward.

lipWidenL

“lipWidenL” is meant to work together with “lipWidenR” to pull the corners out and make a larger mouth shape.

lipWidenR

lipWidenR” is meant to work together with “lipWidenL” to pull the corners out and make a larger mouth shape.

lipTightnerL

“lipTightnerL” works together with “lipTightnerR” to tighten the lips together.

lipTightnerR

“lipTightnerR” works together with “lipTightnerL” to tighten the lips together.

lipSmileOpenL

“lipSmileOpenL” works together with “lipSmileOpenR” to create an open mouth smile shape.

lipSmileOpenR

“lipSmileOpenR” works together with “lipSmileOpenL” to create an open mouth smile shape.

lipStickyL

“lipStickyL” is meant to work together with “lipStickyR” to tighten the corners of the lips on open mouth shapes. This will give you the effect of the lip meat sticking a little while opening them up.

lipStickyR

“lipStickyR” is meant to work together with “lipStickyL” to tighten the corners of the lips on open mouth shapes. This will give you the effect of the lip meat sticking a little while opening them up.

lipChinRaiserL

“lipChinRaiserL” is meant to work together with “lipChinRaiserR” to roll the chin upwards.

lipChinRaiserR

“lipChinRaiserR” is meant to work together with “lipChinRaiserL” to roll the chin upwards.