Character Consistency
Understanding how ToonyStory keeps characters looking consistent across pages
How Character Consistency Works
Each character's features are learned from their photo, and that reference is used again on every illustration so they stay recognizable from page to page.
Already have a book where someone looks wrong? This page is about getting a good result from the start. To diagnose one that has already gone wrong, go to When Characters Look Different Between Pages, which lists the usual causes in the order worth checking them.
Getting the Best Consistency
Upload Quality Photos
The single biggest factor in consistency is photo quality. A clear, well-lit, front-facing photo gives the AI the best reference to work from.
What Affects Consistency
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Lighting quality | High — good lighting = better face detail |
| Face angle | High — front-facing is ideal |
| Photo resolution | Medium — at least 500×500px |
| Facial obstructions | High — avoid sunglasses, hats |
| Background clutter | Low — AI focuses on the face |
Try Different Photos
If a character isn't looking quite right, try uploading a different photo. Sometimes a slightly different angle or expression gives the AI a better reference.
If a specific illustration came out wrong rather than the character in general, see Fixing an Illustration That Came Out Wrong — reverting is free, and there is usually a cause worth fixing before you redraw.
What to Expect
- How closely a character resembles the photo depends on the art style you chose. A drawn style gives you an illustrated version of the person; the Realistic style is photographic. Neither is a copy of the photo you uploaded.
- Minor variations between pages are normal and part of the illustrated feel
- Hair colour, skin tone and key features stay consistent
- Clothing stays the same through the book. Characters keep the outfit from their portrait rather than changing scene to scene. If clothes are changing between pages, something is off, and the troubleshooting page covers the usual reason
Known Limitations
- Very young babies (under 6 months) may have less distinctive features to work with
- Dramatic lighting (heavy shadows, colored lights) in the source photo can affect results
- Photos with heavy filters applied may produce less accurate results