How to Use SetPose: A Step-by-Step Tutorial for Creating 3D Drawing Poses

Updated

SetPose is a browser-based 3D pose maker for artists who need a drawing reference without a physical mannequin. You pick a model, pose it with bend/tilt/rotate/move controls or preset poses, adjust the scene (props, camera, lighting, background), then export a capture or 3D file. It suits figure drawing practice, pose studies, and building reference images for illustration. You can start posing without signing in; a "Try Pro for Free" upgrade path exists for extra features like adding more models to a scene and removing ads.

Before You Start

  • What you need: a browser and a mouse or touch input. No install is mentioned.
  • What you get for free: the pose maker, model library, preset poses, scene customization, image and 3D export, and the timed challenge. The page does not state a price or a login requirement for these, so treat access as "available on the site" rather than "guaranteed free forever."
  • Pro signals: "Try Pro for Free," "Upgrade to pro to add more models to the scene," and "Remove ads: Upgrade to Pro." If your scene needs multiple models or an ad-free workspace, expect that to sit behind the upgrade.

Step 1: Add a Model to the Scene

Drag or click a model to add it to the scene (the page shows both "Drag or click" and "Drag or tap" for touch).

Available basic models include:

  • Male, Female, Skeleton
  • Anime 1, Anime 2
  • Bodybuilder
  • Dog, Horse
  • Basic model (old), Detailed 1, Detailed 2

Pick the silhouette closest to your subject. A skeleton or detailed model helps with anatomy; anime models suit stylized work.

Step 2: Pose the Model with the Core Controls

Select a body part, then use the controls. Each has a keyboard shortcut:

Control What it does Example Shortcut
Bend Changes angle between parts Bending an arm —
Tilt Side-to-side or spreading movement Tilting the head, raising an arm laterally X
Roll Tilt variation — Z
Rotate Turns a part around its own axis Turning the head, rotating a wrist Y
Move Moves up or down — M
Move Moves across the floor — S
Resize Resize joints by dragging — R
Extrude Extrude faces by dragging — E
Draw Draw on models and props — —
Undo Undo model edit — Ctrl + Z

Inverse Kinematics is also available: use the controls to move the model's limbs in different directions, which is faster than rotating each joint individually for natural limb placement.

Expected result: the model holds the pose you set, and you can undo any edit with Ctrl + Z.

Step 3: Apply Preset Poses and Adjust Details

  • Pose Presets: select a model, then apply a preset. The library includes 275 preset poses, plus Hand Poses. The page marks "Access all 275 preset poses" with "Try Pro for Free," so some or all preset access may require the upgrade.
  • Model Settings: adjust model color, biological constraints, and model height (cm). You can click or tap a body part to resize it, and set width, height, and depth.
  • Appearance: hair style (none, middle part, curly, side part, wavy, ponytail, braid), expressions (neutral, smile, sad, angry, surprised, scared, yawn, smirk, disgusted, sleeping, wink, evil laugh, grimacing, exhausted), and hand props (none, left hand, right hand).

Step 4: Customize the Scene (Props, Camera, Lighting)

Floor Props and Model Settings are separate panels. Under Camera and Environment you can set:

  • Floor color, background, floor shadows, infinite floor, grid
  • Camera position: Free, Back, Top, Top right, Left, Right, Front, Zoom out, Zoom in
  • Resolution: 0.25x, 0.50x, 1.00x, 1.50x, 2.00x, 2.50x, 3.00x
  • Field of view
  • Light position, light distance, light intensity

Why this matters: camera angle and lighting change how readable a pose is for drawing. A top-down or side view can expose foreshortening; stronger light clarifies form and shadow shapes.

Step 5: Export Your Pose

Two export options are listed:

  • Image export — a flat capture for direct drawing reference.
  • 3D Export — a 3D file for use elsewhere.

You can also Share pose (copy URL) and use Saved Scenes / Saved Poses. Reset scene clears your work.

Verify it worked: open the exported image or 3D file and confirm the pose, camera angle, and lighting match what you set in the scene.

Step 6: Practice with the Timed Drawing Challenge

The Timed drawing challenge generates rounds for figure drawing practice:

  • Time per round: 30 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes
  • Types of poses: All poses, Basic, Sports, Combat, Film & TV, Emotions & Expressions, Sitting & Laying down, Working
  • Rounds: 3, 6, 9, 12

How to use it: choose a short round time for gesture drawing and a longer one for finished studies. Filter by pose type to target a specific skill, such as combat or seated poses.

Common Stops and How to Handle Them

  • You need more than one model in the scene: the page ties adding more models to the Pro upgrade. Work with one model per scene, or upgrade.
  • Preset poses are locked: the "Try Pro for Free" label sits next to the 275 preset poses. If presets are unavailable, pose manually with bend/tilt/rotate/move or inverse kinematics.
  • The pose looks stiff: switch to inverse kinematics for limb movement, then fine-tune with rotate and tilt.
  • The reference is hard to draw from: change camera position (Front, Side, Top) and raise light intensity to clarify form.
  • You lost your work: use Saved Scenes and Saved Poses, and share via URL before resetting.

Quick Reference: Full Workflow

  1. Add a model (drag or click).
  2. Pose with bend, tilt, rotate, move, or inverse kinematics.
  3. Apply a preset pose if available.
  4. Adjust model color, height, hair, and expression.
  5. Add floor props and set camera, resolution, field of view, and lighting.
  6. Export as image or 3D, or share the pose URL.
  7. Practice with the timed drawing challenge.