Turn Yourself into
an Action Figure
Online

Working as a photographer and image editor for FixThePhoto, I’m constantly on the lookout for cool trends, and recently, ChatGPT launched a trend to turn yourself into an action figure. Our clients and subscribers started inquiring about the best apps that would allow them to get such a result, so I decided to test it on my own photos.

After briefly testing a couple of apps and online tools, I had to deal with glitchy UIs, unsatisfying results, unrealistic lighting, etc.

That’s why I decided to properly test over 15 apps to turn yourself into an action figure, got recommendations from my coworkers, and studied reviews on Reddit.

ChatGPT allows you to turn yourself into an action figure, but you’ll need to pay $200 per month to access this functionality. I tested this feature to check if it’s worth the hype, and while the result was great, I’m not certain it’s worth such a high price.

Step 1: Download the ChatGPT app and log in

Create an account if you don’t have one. It only takes a couple of minutes. Log into it via your email and password, Google/Apple ID, or just your phone number.

Step 2: Pick a high-quality portrait

I uploaded a clear, properly-lit headshot. Front-facing is recommended, but a subtle angle can work too. It’s also important to have a basic backdrop to ensure the AI focuses fully on my body and facial expression. I also made one using a picture with a more creative pose to compare the outputs.

Tip: Natural lighting and clear focus do wonders for improving the quality of the generated image.

Step 3: Write the ideal prompt

I instructed ChatGPT to generate a relevant image generation prompt, describing myself as an action figure. This was its suggestion:

ChatGPT allowed me to personalize my look, clothing, props, and even the backdrop. Addtionally, it lets you request different themes like sci-fi, military, superhero, or anime.

Step 4: Generate

Afterward, I leveraged ChatGPT’s integrated image generation to produce the photo.

Some generated images looked great, others were disappointing, and most didn’t match my looks. However, after redoing the process several times, I started to receive improved results.

Step 5: Edit or Enhance (Optional)

As a retoucher, I wanted to improve the image further in Photoshop by smoothing the edges, adding some toy box packaging, and increasing the contrast to make it more cinematic.

If you don’t have image editing experience, ChatGPT can recommend tools or styles for you to leverage with the help of a free photo editing app like Canva, Photopea, or Pixlr.

Verdict: As a FixThePhoto employee, I was particularly interested in learning how capable the Fix The Photo Body Editor&Tune app will be of helping you turn yourself into an action figure. After testing more than 15 applications, I can safely state that this option has an edge over the competition by providing a human touch that is absent from all the AI-powered solutions.

I particularly appreciated the ability to directly communicate with experienced retouchers. Most applications provide standard filters, unrealistic AI results or come at a very hefty price, but with the FixThePhoto app, I could provide a concise list of instructions and the results matched all my requirements perfectly.

• I imported a portrait picture and requested a plastic toy texture, some striking highlights, and deep shadows. The image I received? Everything I asked for. I could really confuse myself with an actual action figure and the backdrop had an immersive “boxed” look to it. Moreover, the first image I got was edited for free.

I also can ask the retouchers to add a hat and add sparkles – anything is possible. This is the perfect app if you want more control over the result without having to do any manual editing yourself.

Verdict: When testing whether Fotor can allow you to turn yourself into an action figure, I imported a picture taken with my DSLR in a relaxed pose while I was holding the camera. I wanted to check if the AI is not only capable of converting my likeness into an action figure but also copying smaller details like the camera in my hand.

• After the image was imported, I picked the Mini Figure option in the Cartoon menu, and the AI took care of the rest. Mere seconds later, my photo was turned into an action figure. However, I do think my facial features were simplified too much. This AI photo editor provides the best results when processing clear, front-facing portraits. If your picture is angled or not entirely in focus, you might be disappointed in the results.

This editor lets me generate figures in anime, comic, or video game styles. Additionally, Fotor lets you write text prompts to customize the photo even further by adding props, and changing the backdrop or packaging to make the result look like a collectible. The delivered picture can be saved in high resolution with no additional cost. You can pick between the free version of Fotor or the Pro plan for $8.99/month.

Verdict: BeautyPlus is one of the last apps I’ve used to test its capability for turning people into action figures. I launched the app on my iPhone (Android version is available too). I wrote "action figure generator" into the field at the top of the menu and was presented with a selection of different styles, some looked like superheroes while others resembled video game characters of fantasy warriors.

• After picking a style that matched my taste, I tapped on “Apply”, picked an image from my phone, and BeautyPlus automatically added the action figure template to my portrait. A few moments later, my picture was turned into a comic book cover-style image that still preserved my facial features. I tapped on “Save” and the result was instantly downloaded to my iPhone. It changed the outfit and made me look a little bit older.

Sadly, this AI image generator is far from perfect. The best-designed templates with more impressive graphics and poses are only available in the BeautyPlus Premium plan ($8.99/mo). The customization options are also fairly limited. On one of the results, the added hat looked a bit tilted, but I had no option but to deal with that issue manually, which is a shame.

Verdict: What instantly grabbed my attention with ActionFigureMaker is how distinct it is from any other application that can let you turn yourself into an action figure. Rather than having me import a photo and entrust the app with everything else, I had to create my own character. The UI is convenient and streamlined, and I could go through the design process at my own pace.

• I began by picking a body type that matched the type of hero I wanted – slim and athletic. Next, I could personalize the facial features, hairstyle, clothing, pose, and props. I particularly liked the Unique Style Editor. It allowed me to fine-tune the look of your character with color settings, texture parameters, and intricate accessory placement. It took me about half an hour to finish my character.

Afterward, I leveraged the Save & Share feature to download the image to my smartphone and I posted it on my social media pages as well. The main drawback of this option is how much time it requires. The results are also not always realistic, the outfit became classic, and the proportions might look off. Moreover, if you want to have access to all the best accessories and saving features, you’ll need to get the paid plan for $6.99 per week or $49.99 a year.

Verdict: During my first introduction to Clipfly, I was impressed by its capability to turn my photo into an AI-generated action figure with personalized accessories, cool effects, and Barbie-like packaging. In contrast to many apps for photographers that demand downloads or intricate editing, Clipfly can be used within the comfort of your browser without spending a dime.

• My experience was intuitive from the get-go. I opened the website on my laptop (mobile supported as well) and imported a JPG picture of myself. I picked a properly lit portrait with a plain backdrop to ensure my facial features are visible. Next, I clicked on “Generate Action Figure” and it only took the platform’s AI around 15 seconds to generate a miniature version of me inside a stylish action figure box.

The figure had a cool pose, trendy shoes, and futuristic accessories. While I appreciate the overall photo quality and user-friendliness, I wish Clipfly offered more customization freedom. It doesn’t let me tweak the elements like clothing, weapons, or poses manually. I’ve also noticed some distortions on several renders, disfiguring my body proportions. Even though I was satisfied with the free plan, it caps the export at 1080p resolution, as 2K and 2K are locked behind the Pro plan for $59.99/year.

To determine which apps are the best for turning yourself into an action figure, we thoroughly tested each option ourselves. We wanted to learn which solutions provide the most visually appealing, realistic, and entertaining results and how simple (or convoluted) they are to use.

Along with my colleagues from FixThePhoto, we checked out the following apps: YouCam AI Pro, Glam AI, Reface, ToonMe, Artguru, Filmora, YesChat, AI ActionFigureGenerator, among several others. Even though each brings something cool to the table, not all options were included in my list due to how limited they were in some regard.

I ranked Fix The Photo Body Editor & Tune on top due to its stunningly realistic results and the manual involvement of professional retouchers. Fotor took second place due to its creative, eye-catching action figure styles and high-quality visuals, but some of its results look unrealistic. BeautyPlus is in third, as it’s incredibly intuitive to navigate and offers a broad selection of themed action figures. Its main drawback is that some generated images look too filtered or cartoonish.

User-friendliness. We examined how easy it was to learn the app and find different features, upload images, and perform the desired transformations. Some options offered intuitive workflows while others have confusing menus and tools that are only unlocked once you buy a subscription. I particularly liked apps that offer clear tutorials that will help even complete beginners understand how they work.

Realism and creativity. I evaluated the precision with which the AI preserved facial features and expressions, and whether the result looked fun or playful. Certain applications created action figures that resembled 3D caricatures or toys while others strived to imitate a comic book or anime aesthetic. Eva also examined how creative the delivered images were and whether the props, packaging, and clothing felt distinct or generic.

Result quality. The first thing you need to check after you turn yourself into an action figure, is how sharp and clear the image is. For instance, we carefully looked at the textures, shadows, and facial features to ensure there weren’t any major flaws and we also looked at the provided export format options (JPEG, PNG, etc.). Sadly, several apps only offer higher export resolutions if you get a paid subscription.

Sharing and saving. Lastly, I checked whether it was convenient to save and download the final image. The most intuitive apps allow you to save the result in a single tap or even instantly share it on your social media pages (Instagram, TikTok, etc.). Some applications demanded me to log in while others showed me a bunch of ads before letting me save. The best options allowed me to store the results in the gallery and download all the generated variations, not just one image.

Free vs. Paid. Every app was tested as both a free (when available) and paid solution (from $8.99/month to $20/month). I examined which tools were locked behind a premium version, particularly if those are as important as high-resolution exports, more advanced action figure templates, or in-depth customization functionality.