Value, form and drawing tools

Set up the light first with the normal light controls, then use these tools to study the result the way you would draw it.

Value Study

Switch Value Study on and choose Grayscale, or reduce the head to 2, 3, 5 or 7 Values. Two values gives the simplest read of light against dark; more values keep more tonal steps. Balance moves where the values split, useful when the default split hides an important plane. At 2 Values the same slider is called Threshold and sets the one line between light and dark.

With a reference in place, Apply to reference puts the same simplification on your own picture, so you compare the reference and the 3D head in the same values.

Form & Shadow

Study light picks which light these tools look at. Form edge marks where the form turns away from that light. Silhouette hides all inner modeling so you judge only the outer shape. Normal returns to the lit head. Solo light shows just the study light, when several lights make the form harder to read.

Drawing View

Fixed views: Front, 3/4 Left, 3/4 Right, Left Profile and Right Profile. Show light guides keeps the light direction in sight, or switch it off for a clean drawing reference.

Your own reference

Upload reference places a JPG, PNG or WebP beside the 3D head. It stays in your browser unless you save work that includes it to The Archive.