Whether you’re making subtle emotional tweaks or full expression changes, Layer gives you multiple ways to control your character’s look. You can work directly in Canvas with tools like selection and brush — or take advantage of the new Edit with AI feature in the Refine tool, where an LLM (like GPT-4o or Gemini) helps generate updated expressions based on your text prompt.
Here are three ways to get the result you want — from fully automated to fully hands-on.
Method 1: Edit with AI in the Refine Tool (New & Simplest)
The fastest way to change a character’s facial expression is by using the Edit with AI feature in the Refine tool. This method allows you to describe the desired change to an AI assistant (like GPT-4o or Gemini), which edits the image for you directly — no selection or sketching required.
Steps:
Open your image in the Refine tool.
Click Edit with AI, then select your preferred AI model (e.g., GPT-4o or Gemini).
Type a direct prompt describing the change. Examples:
“Make the character look surprised, with a wide open mouth and raised eyebrows.”
“Change the expression to a confident smirk with narrowed eyes.”
Let the AI generate a few versions. Review the options and choose your favorite.
Export the edited image, or use it as a Forge reference to generate new assets with the updated expression.
Tip: This method is great for quick iterations or when you want to explore a range of expressions with minimal effort. You can always refine the best result further in Canvas if needed.
Method 2: Use Selection + Prompting in Canvas
For more control over which part of the face changes — without having to draw — use Canvas’s selection tools and the Forge feature to prompt for expression edits.
Steps:
Open your asset in Canvas.
Use the Marquee, Lasso, or Object Selection Tool to select the entire face or just a feature (like the mouth or eyes).
Click Forge from Selection.
In the Prompt Box, write a clear expression description — e.g.:
“Smirking”
“Shocked expression with wide open mouth”
“Mouth with a cigar”
Adjust the Similarity Slider:
Lower similarity = more freedom to change expression
Higher similarity = more structural consistency
Click Forge and review the results.
Add the new generation to a new layer to preserve the original.
Tip: Select smaller parts like the mouth to preserve character identity. Full-face edits usually require similarity below 50, which can also trigger full face regeneration.
Note: For general models like Flux-Dev, include the art style in your prompt if results look off.
Example: “2D stylized comic book art style, wide open mouth with a cigar, shocked expression.”
Method 3: Use Brush to Sketch Changes, Then Guide AI
When you want to control the exact placement or shape of facial elements (like tears, frowns, or raised eyebrows), draw the changes directly on a new layer using the Brush Tool before using Forge.
Steps:
Add a new layer on top of your character image.
Select the Brush Tool and match colors using the Color Picker.
Lightly sketch the desired changes — a tear, a frown, raised brows, etc.
Use Marquee or Lasso to select your sketched area.
Click Forge from Selection.
In the Prompt Box, describe the expression — e.g.:
“Crying softly, with tears falling down cheek”
Adjust the Similarity Slider to balance fidelity and creativity.
Review the result and add the new version to a separate layer.
Tip: This method is ideal for expressive edits where spatial nuance matters, like subtle emotion changes or stylized accents.
Summary
Method | Tool Used | Best For | Effort Level |
Edit with AI | Refine Tool | Fast, hands-off edits via natural language | Lowest |
Selection + Prompt | Canvas | Targeted changes to face or features | Medium |
Brush + Prompt | Canvas | Detailed or nuanced expression changes | Highest |