Create a Consistent Character based on a 3D Render

Created by Chris Roebuck, Modified on Fri, 14 Nov at 3:30 AM by Chris Roebuck

Have you ever created the perfect character in Blender, Maya, or another 3D software and wondered how to bring them into Dream Machine? While you can't directly import 3D model files, there's a powerful workflow that lets Dream Machine interpret your 3D renders and transform them into photorealistic (or stylized) characters you can use consistently across multiple scenes.

This guide will show you exactly how to bridge the gap between your 3D creations and Dream Machine's AI-powered video generation.

Prerequisites: Master the Fundamentals First

Before diving into 3D character workflows, it's essential to understand the core principles of character consistency in Dream Machine. We recommend reviewing the comprehensive guide "Character Consistency Secrets" which covers three proven methods:

Prompting techniques with specific phrases
@character tag workflows
Modify Frame approaches

Check out the full guide here: Character Consistency Secrets in Dream Machine

That article includes detailed examples and shared boards you can reference to see these techniques in action.

The Reality: No Direct 3D Import (But Here's What You CAN Do)

Important: Dream Machine does not support direct import of 3D model files (such as .FBX, .OBJ, .GLTF, or .BLEND files). However, this doesn't mean your 3D work goes to waste—far from it!

Dream Machine excels at interpreting your 3D character from rendered images, essentially translating your 3D model into a living, moving character within its AI-generated scenes.

The 3D-to-Dream Machine Workflow

Here's the four-step process to bring your 3D character into Dream Machine:

Step 1: Render Your 3D Character as High-Quality Images

Export your 3D character as high-resolution images from your 3D software. For best results:

Use good lighting that shows facial features clearly
Render at high resolution (at least 1080p or higher)
Consider both neutral expressions and specific emotions
Clean backgrounds work best (plain or subtle)

Step 2: Upload to Dream Machine

Upload your rendered image to Dream Machine as a reference image or start frame. This becomes the foundation for Dream Machine's interpretation.

Step 3: Let Dream Machine Interpret Your Character

Dream Machine will analyze your 3D render and create its own photorealistic (or stylized, depending on your prompt) version of that character. This is where the magic happens—your 3D model transforms into a character that can move, emote, and exist within Dream Machine's generated environments.

Step 4: Use as Reference for Future Scenes

Once you have that initial Dream Machine interpretation, save it! This becomes your consistent character reference for all future generations using the methods from the Character Consistency Secrets guide.

Example Results

I created a 3D character in my modeling software and wanted Dream Machine to interpret the real-life version. Here's what the workflow produced:

View the full example board here: 3D Character to Dream Machine Board

Pro Tip: Create a Character Sheet

Once you have your initial Dream Machine interpretation, take it a step further by creating a comprehensive character sheet. This is especially valuable for maintaining consistency across multiple scenes and camera angles.

Your character sheet should include:

Front view - Face and body straight-on
Left side profile - Shows one side clearly
Right side profile - Shows the other side clearly
Back view - Important for scenes where they turn around
Isometric view - Angled perspective showing dimension

Why create a character sheet? The Dream Machine model may need these multiple angles as either a "refresher" when generating new scenes, or simply as additional reference material. Having 2-3 different angle images available gives you more flexibility and helps maintain consistency, especially for complex camera movements or varying perspectives.

You can generate these different angles by prompting Dream Machine to show your character from different viewpoints, then save each angle as part of your reference library.

Combining Methods for Best Results

Once you have your 3D character successfully interpreted by Dream Machine, you can employ any combination of consistency methods:

Method 1 (Prompting): Add phrases like "keep the character's face / hair / expression / features the same" to your prompts
Method 2 (@Character Tag): Use "@character" in your prompts to ensure the AI focuses on keeping them consistent
Method 3 (Modify Frame): Use the Modify Frame tool to change outfits, backgrounds, or expressions while maintaining the same face and features

Experiment with combining these approaches for the most reliable character consistency across your entire project.

Settings Recommendations

For interpreting 3D characters, these settings typically work well:

Model: Ray3
Resolution: 720p or higher
HDR: ON (helps with lighting and detail)
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (or your preferred format)
Duration: 5 seconds (standard)

Final Thoughts

The workflow from 3D render to Dream Machine character opens up incredible creative possibilities. While we can't import 3D files directly, the interpretation process often yields surprisingly photorealistic or artistically stylized results that can enhance your original vision in unexpected ways.

Remember that AI interpretation means your character may not look exactly like the 3D render—and that's okay! Many professional creators embrace these variations as creative inspiration. The key is to generate that first successful interpretation, save it as your reference, and then maintain consistency using the proven methods.

Approach this workflow with patience and a spirit of experimentation. Your 3D character is about to come to life in ways you might not have imagined!

Happy Making Your Characters' Cinematic!

Chris Roebuck
Luma AI – Customer Support - Education

For Beginners

Creating a consistent character from a 3D render means taking a character you made in 3D software (like Blender) and bringing it into Dream Machine—but here's the key: you can't just upload the 3D file itself. Step 1: First, take a screenshot or render of your 3D character as a regular image file (like a PNG or JPG) with good lighting so all the details show up clearly. Step 2: Upload that image to Dream Machine, and it will create its own "interpretation" of your character—think of it like Dream Machine is looking at your 3D model and then drawing its own photorealistic (or stylized) version that can move and emote in videos. Step 3: Once you get that first Dream Machine version you like, save it because that becomes your reference image for all future videos—this is your "character sheet." Step 4: To keep your character looking the same in different scenes, create multiple angles of them (front view, side views, back view, and an angled "isometric" view) by generating videos from different camera positions and saving the frames you like—this is called a character sheet and it helps Dream Machine remember what your character looks like from every direction. Step 5: When making new videos with your character, use the techniques from the main Character Consistency article (add "keep the character's face the same" in your prompts, use @character tags, or use the Modify Frame tool). Your character might not look 100% identical to your original 3D model, and that's completely normal with AI—sometimes the changes are even cooler than you expected! If your first interpretation doesn't look quite right, try rendering your 3D character with different lighting or angles and upload again until you get a version you love.