setpose.com

SetPose is a browser-based 3D pose maker that lets you build a custom drawing mannequin, pose it with bend/tilt/rotate/move controls, add props and lighting, then export a still image or 3D file as reference. It suits figure drawing practice, comic and storyboard blocking, and any time a wooden mannequin can't hold the angle you need. You can start posing without an account; the site's "Try Pro for Free" and "Upgrade to Pro" links indicate some features sit behind a paid tier, so treat the free experience as the starting point rather than assuming everything is unlimited.

What you need before you start

• A browser and a mouse or trackpad (the tool is built around click-and-drag).
• A rough idea of the pose, camera angle, and whether you want one figure or a group — this saves rework later.
• No download required; the model, props, and camera all live in the scene.

Step 1: Add a mannequin model to the scene

Open the pose maker and add a model by dragging or clicking one from the model list. SetPose offers several body types so the reference matches your subject:

Adding more than one model to a single scene is listed as a Pro feature ("Upgrade to pro to add more models to the scene"), so plan group compositions accordingly.

Step 2: Pose the mannequin with the core controls

Select a model, then click a body part and drag. Each control changes the joint in a different way, and each has a keyboard shortcut:

• Bend (Z) — changes the angle between two parts, e.g. bending an elbow or nodding the head.
• Tilt (X) — side-to-side or spreading movement, e.g. tilting the head or raising an arm laterally.
• Rotate (Y) — turns a part around its own axis, e.g. turning the head or rotating a wrist.
• Move up/down (M) and Move across the floor (S) — reposition the whole figure.
• Resize (R) — drag a joint to change its size.
• Extrude (E) — drag to extrude faces.
• Inverse Kinematics — move a limb and the connected joints follow, which is faster for natural arm and leg placement than adjusting each joint separately.
• Undo (Ctrl + Z) — step back through model edits.

Work from the torso outward: set the spine and hips first, then shoulders, then limbs, then hands and head. Small rotations at the shoulder change where the elbow and wrist end up, so fixing the big masses first avoids re-posing everything downstream.

Step 3: Speed up the scene with presets and props

• Pose Presets — select a model and apply a preset to get a starting pose instead of building from neutral. The site references 275 preset poses, organized into categories including All, Basic, Sports, Combat, Film & TV, Emotions & Expressions, Sitting & Laying down, and Working.
• Hand Poses — dedicated hand presets, since hands are the slowest part to pose manually.
• Floor Props — add objects so the figure interacts with something (sitting on, leaning against, holding) rather than floating in space.
• Model Settings — adjust model color, biological constraints, model height in cm, and per-part width/height/depth by clicking a body part and resizing it.
• Expressions and hair — hair styles (middle part, curly, side part, wavy, ponytail, braid) and expressions (neutral, smile, sad, angry, surprised, scared, yawn, smirk, disgusted, sleeping, wink, evil laugh, grimacing, exhausted) let you match the reference to the emotion you're drawing.

Step 4: Set camera, lighting, and background for a clear reference

A good reference image is mostly a camera decision. In Camera and Environment you can control:

• Camera position — Free, Back, Top, Top right, Left, Right, Front, plus zoom in/out.
• Resolution — 0.25x through 3.00x.
• Field of view — a wider FOV exaggerates foreshortening; a narrower one flattens the figure.
• Floor color, background, floor shadows, infinite floor, and grid — turn the grid off for a clean reference, keep shadows on if you want to read form and contact with the ground.
• Light position, light distance, light intensity — move the light to reveal the planes you're struggling to draw.

Match the camera to your intended drawing: if you're drawing a low-angle hero shot, set the camera low and check the foreshortening before you start rendering.

Step 5: Export or capture the pose as reference

• Image export — capture the current view as a still image to draw from.
• 3D export — export the scene as a 3D file if you want to keep working with it elsewhere.
• Share pose — copy a URL to reopen or share the exact pose.
• Saved Scenes / Saved Poses — store setups so you can return to a pose later.
• Animate — available for motion reference.
• Timed challenge — set time per round (30 seconds, 1 minute, 3, 5, or 10 minutes), pose type, and rounds (3, 6, 9, or 12) to run gesture-drawing drills directly in the tool.

Common snags and how to avoid them

• The pose looks stiff. You're probably only using Bend. Add Tilt and Rotate at the shoulders, hips, and spine — real poses rarely sit on a single axis.
• The arm won't reach. Use Inverse Kinematics to drag the limb into place, then fine-tune individual joints.
• The reference is hard to draw from. Reduce resolution noise by choosing a clean background, turning off the grid, and setting a light angle that separates the near arm from the torso.
• You can't add a second figure. Multiple models in one scene is listed as a Pro feature; check the upgrade page before building a two-person composition.
• You lost a good pose. Use Share pose to copy the URL or save the scene before you keep experimenting.

When a 3D mannequin beats a wooden one

Switch to a 3D pose maker when you need angles a physical mannequin can't hold, when you want to change the camera and lighting without re-setting a still life, or when you want to drill gesture drawing with timed rounds. A wooden mannequin still works for quick, tactile studies where you don't want a screen between you and the figure.

SetPose is a browser-based 3D pose maker for artists: you add a mannequin, pose it with bend/tilt/rotate/move controls, adjust camera and lighting, then export an image or 3D file as drawing reference. It suits figure drawing practice, comic and illustration planning, and any task where you need a specific human pose you can't photograph. You can start posing without an account; a Pro tier exists (linked as "Try Pro for Free" / "Upgrade to Pro") but the page doesn't state what it costs or exactly which features it locks, so treat those as unconfirmed.

Add a model and pick a base type

Open the pose maker and add a model by dragging or clicking one into the scene. Available base models include:

• Basic model: Male, Female, Skeleton
• Stylized: Anime 1, Anime 2, Bodybuilder
• Animals: Dog, Horse
• Legacy/extra: Basic model (old), Detailed 1, Detailed 2

Pick the type that matches your drawing style — a Skeleton for anatomy study, Anime for stylized work, Male/Female for standard figure reference. Note that adding more than one model to a scene is tied to Pro ("Upgrade to pro to add more models to the scene"), so plan single-model scenes unless you upgrade.

Pose the figure with the core controls

The tool exposes six direct manipulation modes, each with a keyboard shortcut. Select a body part, then apply the mode:

Two things make posing faster:

• Inverse Kinematics — move a limb and the connected joints follow naturally instead of you rotating each segment by hand. Use this for arms and legs first, then fine-tune with Bend/Rotate.
• Undo — Ctrl + Z reverses a model edit, so you can experiment freely.

If a pose looks stiff, the usual cause is rotating individual joints without IK; switch to IK for the limb, then correct the wrist or ankle angle manually.

Customize the scene to match your drawing setup

Once the pose reads correctly, adjust the environment so the reference matches the angle and mood you'll draw:

• Camera — set position (Free, Back, Top, Top right, Left, Right, Front), zoom in/out, resolution (0.25x–3.00x), and field of view. A low FOV flattens perspective; a wide FOV exaggerates it for dynamic shots.
• Lighting — control light position, distance, and intensity to create the shadow shapes you want to render.
• Floor and background — floor color, background, floor shadows, infinite floor, and grid. Turn on the grid if you need to check proportions or perspective.
• Model settings — model color, biological constraints, model height (cm), and per-part width/height/depth resizing. Biological constraints keep joints within plausible human limits.
• Props and details — hair style (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. Hand poses are available separately, and the full preset library is listed as 275 poses.

Use presets and timed challenges to practice

If you don't need a custom pose, apply a Pose Preset instead: select a model, then choose from categories including All poses, Basic, Sports, Combat, Film & TV, Emotions & Expressions, Sitting & Laying down, and Working.

For deliberate practice, use the Timed drawing challenge:

1. Set time per round (30 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes).
2. Choose pose types (same categories as presets).
3. Set rounds (3, 6, 9, or 12).
4. Start — draw each pose within the time limit.

Short rounds build gesture speed; longer rounds let you study anatomy and shading. This mirrors the classic timed figure-drawing drill, but with poses you can rotate to any angle afterward.

Export or share the result

When the pose is finished:

• Image export — capture the current view as a still for direct reference.
• 3D export — export the model as a 3D file if you need it in another tool.
• Share pose — copy a URL to send the exact pose to someone else, or use the Share pose option in the scene menu.
• Save — store scenes and poses for later reuse.
• Animate — animate the scene if you need motion reference.

Reset the scene or reset individual settings if you want to start over without losing your saved work.

Common snags

• Can't add a second model — multi-model scenes are a Pro feature per the page.
• Pose looks unnatural — enable biological constraints and use IK for limbs before manual joint rotation.
• Reference doesn't match your drawing angle — change camera position and FOV rather than re-posing; a top or side view often reveals proportion errors.
• Pricing and limits — the site links to an upgrade page but doesn't publish prices or a full free-vs-Pro feature list here, so verify on the upgrade page before relying on any specific limit.

SetPose is a browser-based 3D pose maker for artists: you add a mannequin to the scene, bend and rotate its joints, adjust the camera and lighting, then export a capture to draw from. It works for figure drawing, gesture practice, and comic or illustration reference. You don't need to install anything, but you do need to work through the scene controls in a specific order — model first, pose second, camera and props last — or you'll keep re-adjusting the view.

Add a model and pick the right base

Drag or click a model to add it to the scene. SetPose offers several base types, and the choice affects how useful the reference is:

There are also older "Basic model" and "Detailed 1 / Detailed 2" options. Pick the closest match to your drawing style before posing — swapping the base later means redoing your work.

If you need more than one figure in a scene, note that adding additional models is a Pro feature ("Upgrade to pro to add more models to the scene").

Learn the four core joint controls

Every limb adjustment comes down to four operations, each with a keyboard shortcut:

• Bend — changes the angle between two parts. Use it for elbows, knees, and the waist. Example: bending an arm at the elbow.
• Tilt — side-to-side or spreading movement. Use it for raising an arm laterally or tilting the head. Shortcut: X.
• Rotate — turns a part around its own axis. Use it for turning the head or rotating a wrist. Shortcut: Y.
• Move — repositions the whole model, either up/down (M) or across the floor (S).

There's also Resize (drag joints, shortcut R) and Extrude (drag faces, shortcut E) for adjusting body proportions, plus Inverse Kinematics for moving limbs in different directions by dragging.

Verification: after each adjustment, orbit the camera slightly. A pose that looks natural from the front often reads as broken from the side — checking from two angles catches hyperextended joints and impossible twists early.

Common snag: using Rotate when you meant Tilt. If a limb spins in place instead of swinging outward, you're on the wrong control.

Save time with presets, then fine-tune

SetPose includes 275 preset poses and a separate set of hand poses. Select a model, then apply a preset from the Pose Presets panel as a starting point rather than building from a neutral stance.

Presets are organized by type: All poses, Basic, Sports, Combat, Film & TV, Emotions & Expressions, Sitting & Laying down, and Working. Pick the category closest to your scene, apply the preset, then adjust individual joints with Bend/Tilt/Rotate.

You can also save your own work: Saved Scenes and Saved Poses let you return to a setup later, and Share pose generates a copyable URL if you want to send a pose to someone else or reopen it on another device.

Set the camera, lighting, and props to match your reference

This is the step most people skip, and it's the one that determines whether the export is actually drawable.

Camera — choose a position (Free, Back, Top, Top right, Left, Right, Front) or zoom manually. Set resolution from 0.25x up to 3.00x and adjust field of view. A lower field of view compresses perspective, which is useful for portrait-style reference; a wider one exaggerates foreshortening for dynamic poses.

Lighting — control light position, distance, and intensity. Strong side lighting makes form and shadow shapes readable, which helps when you're translating the pose into line and value.

Environment — set floor color, background, floor shadows, and toggle an infinite floor or grid. A grid floor is helpful for judging ground contact and foot placement.

Props — floor props and hand props (plus hair styles and facial expressions) let you build a scene rather than an isolated figure. A character holding an object, for example, forces the hand and wrist into a more specific, less generic shape.

Export your reference and practice with it

Two export paths are available:

• Capture — exports a 2D image of the current view. This is what you draw from directly.
• 3D Export — exports the model itself for use elsewhere.

There's also an Animate option for adding motion to the scene.

For structured practice, use the Timed drawing challenge: set time per round (30 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes), choose pose types (All, Basic, Sports, Combat, Film & TV, Emotions & Expressions, Sitting & Laying down, Working), and set the number of rounds (3, 6, 9, or 12). Short rounds with varied poses build gesture speed; longer rounds suit finished figure studies.

A practical workflow: set up a pose, export a capture, run a timed challenge using that pose category for warm-ups, then return to your saved scene for a longer study.

What to check before you start drawing

• The pose reads correctly from at least two camera angles.
• Ground contact looks right against the floor or grid.
• Lighting produces clear shadow shapes rather than flat, even light.
• The camera's field of view matches the perspective you want to draw.
• You've saved the scene or copied the share URL if you plan to come back to it.

SetPose is free to use, with a Pro tier ("Try Pro for Free") that removes ads and unlocks additional models per scene.

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:

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.

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Instead, choose one of these starting points:

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You'll need an Ahrefs account to follow along. Ahrefs offers paid plans, and pricing and feature limits change over time, so check the current Pricing page for what's included in each tier before committing.

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Reading the Overview Snapshot

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Common Beginner Mistakes

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• Auditing a huge site too early. Start small to learn the interface.
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Where to Go Next

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