A custom family figurine turns one photo of your whole family — partners, kids, grandparents and pets — into a single full-colour keepsake sculpture. At 3DCentral we use a dual AI engine (Tripo and Rodin) to build the base model, then a human artist finishes every figure. You approve a 3D preview before we print, and everything is made in Quebec.
How do you turn a family photo into a figurine?
The journey from snapshot to shelf-ready keepsake is simpler than most people expect. You upload a photo (or a few), our system and artists build a 3D sculpt of each person, you approve a preview, and our Quebec print farm produces the finished piece in full colour.
What are the steps from photo to finished keepsake?
The workflow is built so you stay in control at the moment that matters most — before anything is printed:
This is an AI-assisted, human-finished process. The AI accelerates the first draft; a real artist handles likeness, grouping and the small touches that make a keepsake feel like your family rather than a generic model.
How does grouping multiple people work?
Grouping is the art of arranging several figures on one shared base so the piece reads as a family, not a row of strangers. Our artists stage your family the way a portrait photographer would: taller adults framing, children in front, and pets woven naturally into the scene.
How many people and pets can be in one figurine?
There’s no hard limit — the practical guide is photo clarity and base size. The more faces in the frame, the larger the base and the more important a sharp, well-lit reference photo becomes. Pets count as figures too, and they’re one of the most-loved additions.
What poses and arrangements are possible?
Poses are matched to your family’s story. Classic options include a standing portrait line-up, a seated couch-style group, a wedding pose, a holiday theme, or a candid “caught laughing” arrangement. Want grandpa’s hand on a grandchild’s shoulder, or the dog mid-jump? Tell us in the order notes and your artist stages it before you ever approve the preview.
What sizes are available and how do people-count affect them?
Figurine height and base footprint scale with how many people and pets you include. A solo figure can stay compact; a four-generation family needs more base to keep everyone proportioned and stable. Use the table below as a planning guide — exact dimensions are confirmed on your quote.
| Figurine tier | Typical people | Pets | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo / Couple | 1–2 | 1 pet | Engagements, a single portrait, “just us” |
| Small family | 3–4 | 1–2 pets | Parents + kids, the most popular keepsake |
| Large family | 5–7 | 2+ pets | Multi-generation, holiday gatherings |
| Group / Reunion | 8+ | Multiple | Reunions, teams, milestone celebrations |
Across every tier, the printing is full colour — skin tones, hair, outfits, jersey numbers and pet markings are reproduced rather than hand-painted on afterward. That colour fidelity is part of why a sharp reference photo matters so much.
Are pets really included?
Yes — pets are full members of the figurine, not an afterthought. Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and more can stand beside, sit in front of, or be held by their humans. Because they print in full colour, breed-specific markings, collars and coats come through. Add a clear side-or-front pet photo to your upload so your artist can nail the details.
Why choose a Quebec-made custom figurine?
Where your keepsake is made changes the price, the timeline and the headaches. As a Quebec print farm, 3DCentral keeps the entire process domestic for Canadian customers.
Buying from a Canadian maker means no customs delays or surprise import fees at your door, prices quoted in Canadian dollars, fast domestic shipping, and real bilingual support in English and Quebec French. Our catalogue blends original 3DCentral designs with curated community-artist models, but your custom family figurine is a one-of-one piece built from your photo.
What can I expect from the preview-approval step?
Nothing prints until you say yes. After our artist finishes the sculpt, you get an interactive 3D preview to rotate and inspect. This is your moment to request changes — a different pose, a corrected hairstyle, a pet swapped to the other side. We treat this as an art toy and display keepsake for adults and families, crafted for shelves and mantels rather than rough handling.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
Turnaround depends on the number of figures and current queue, and your exact CAD price is confirmed on your quote before you commit. Because we print in Quebec, there are no cross-border shipping legs adding weeks — your finished keepsake ships domestically once it passes our final quality check.
Ready to turn your favourite family photo into a keepsake everyone will fight to display? Start your custom family figurine and upload your best photo today.
Frequently asked questions
Can I include grandparents, kids and pets in one figurine?
Yes. A single family figurine can include partners, children, grandparents and pets together on one shared base. As more figures are added, the base grows and a sharp, well-lit reference photo becomes more important so every face stays accurate.
How many photos do I need to send?
One clear group photo is the minimum. For best results, add a few individual face shots and a clear side-or-front photo of each pet. More good angles always beat a single blurry crowd shot, and they help our artist capture each likeness.
Is the figurine printed in full colour?
Yes. Skin tones, hair, outfits, jersey numbers and pet markings are reproduced in full colour during printing rather than hand-painted afterward. That is why a sharp, evenly lit reference photo matters so much for the final result.
Is this AI-generated or made by a person?
Both. Our dual AI engine (Tripo and Rodin) builds the first 3D draft, then a 3DCentral artist refines proportions, faces, poses and colours by hand. It is an AI-assisted, human-finished keepsake, and you approve a preview before printing.
Will I see it before it prints?
Yes. After the artist finishes the sculpt, you receive an interactive 3D preview to rotate and inspect. You can request changes — pose, hairstyle, pet placement — and nothing prints until you approve the final version.
Do Canadian customers pay customs or import fees?
No. 3DCentral prints in Quebec, so Canadian customers pay no customs or surprise import fees. Prices are quoted in Canadian dollars and your finished figurine ships domestically with fast Canadian shipping.
What size will my family figurine be?
Size scales with the number of people and pets. A solo or couple piece stays compact, while a large multi-generation group needs a bigger base for proportion and stability. Your exact dimensions are confirmed on your quote before you commit.
Do I need a Commercial License to own my figurine?
No. A personal family figurine is yours to own and display, no license required. The 3DCentral Commercial License applies only to our own original catalogue designs; community-artist models require contacting that artist directly.
