PROMPT GUIDE
Figure Style Prompts (3D Look, Display Stand, Miniature)
When you want a character to look like a physical figure, it works better to say it is a photo of an object on a stand than to describe a drawing style. This guide covers how to write figure-style and miniature-style prompts for both tag-based and sentence-based image generators.
Last updated: approx. 3 min read
The short answer
A figure style prompt adds words for a stand and where it is displayed to figure and 3d. With sentence-based AI, write something like "a small collectible figure of ..., on a round display stand, product photo" to say it is a photograph of a physical object.
What is the figure style prompt? (figure, 3d, stand)
Start with figure and 3d, then add a stand (figure stand) and words about how it is displayed.
In a figure-style image, the most important thing is that the character is an object standing on a base. Write where it is placed, such as a stand, a shelf or a desk, and blur the background so it reads as a palm-sized object. Add glossy or plastic when you want the look of painted figure plastic.
Do tag-based and sentence-based AI need different wording?
With tag-based AI, list tags; with sentence-based AI, the shortcut is one sentence saying it is a photo of a small figure.
On models that run on Danbooru tags, adding figure and 3d makes the result look more solid, but how well it works depends on the model. With sentence-based AI such as Midjourney or ChatGPT, describe in English what the object is, where it sits and how it was photographed.
How do you make a figure style image, step by step?
Once the character is set, add the 3D words, the placement and the way it is photographed, in that order.
Steps to make a figure style image
- Write the character look (hairstyle, outfit) and pose the same way as for a normal illustration
- Add figure and 3d (collectible figure for sentence-based AI) to say it is a physical object
- Write the stand (figure stand) and where it sits (desk, shelf, display case)
- Blur the background with depth of field so it feels like a small object shot up close
- If it still looks flat, remove anime coloring words and generate again
How do you make it look like a miniature or a chibi figure?
For a miniature, combine miniature and tilt-shift; for a chibi figure, combine chibi and figure.
To stress how small it is, place something whose size is familiar next to it, such as a hand or a book. For a big-headed deformed figure, add chibi, but describe the body shape rather than writing a product or brand name.
Rinka's tips
- Do not write product or maker names. Describe the shape, such as "a small deformed figure with a big head"
- A white desk or shelf as the background makes it look like a product photo and adds a sense of depth
- Too much shine makes it look very plastic. Add glossy only as needed
For chibi (two-head-tall) character prompts: Chibi and Super Deformed Style Guide for AI Art →
For background blur (depth of field) prompts: Depth of Field Prompts: Background Blur, Bokeh and Lens Effects →
To settle the character design with a character sheet first: Full-Body Standing Art, Turnaround and Character Sheet Prompts (Plus Expression Variants) →
Copy-and-paste templates
The first is for tag-based AI, the second for sentence-based AI, and the third is a miniature look. Replace the parts in [ ].
1girl, solo, [hairstyle], [outfit], standing, smile, figure, 3d, figure stand, on table, depth of field, indoorsa small collectible figure of an anime girl with [hairstyle] wearing [outfit], standing on a round display stand on a wooden desk, product photo, soft light, shallow depth of field1girl, solo, chibi, figure, miniature, tilt-shift, on table, book, depth of fieldFAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the prompt for a figure style image?
Start with figure and 3d, then add placement words such as figure stand and on table. Blurring the background with depth of field makes it look like a small physical object.
Can I write a product name?
It is better not to write product or brand names and to describe the shape instead, such as "a small figure with a big-headed deformed body". Depending on how you use the image, names can raise rights issues.
It turns into a real photo.
This happens when words like realistic or photo are too strong. Add figure or plastic and remove photorealistic words to get back a doll-like material.
Can I turn my own character into a figure?
Yes. Fix your character hairstyle and outfit in words, then add the 3D words and the placement. For making many images of the same character, see the guide on keeping a character consistent.
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