De-aging effect similar to what was achieved on big movies such as The Irishman and Avengers is now possible with FREE Artificial-intelligence-based software that is very easy to use, so you can totally do it yourself, and not only you can change how old your subject looks like, but you can add facial hair, swap gender and much more…

Digital De-Aging and Aging Effects Using AI and Editing Software

• A digital de-aging effect can be applied to footage to make subjects appear either younger or older. The process involves editing software and two additional tools, both free to download.

Required Tools:

1. EPC Software: Originally designed to animate paintings.
2. FaceApp: A well-known mobile application for altering facial appearances.

Steps to Achieve the Effect:

1. Footage Preparation:
   • Import footage to an editing software. Adobe After Effects is used as an example.
   • Trim the clip and set the starting frame/timecode to zero.
   • Render the composition to a PNG sequence in a designated folder. This breaks down the video into individual frames as PNG images.
2. Frame Selection:
   • Choose a frame showcasing the maximum facial details. Ideally, a frame displaying open eyes and visible teeth yields superior results.
   • This frame is to be edited in FaceApp. For the demonstration, frame 103 was chosen.
3. FaceApp Editing:
   • Transfer the chosen frame to a smartphone.
   • Import it into FaceApp.
   • Apply a desired filter, either making the subject look younger or older.
   • Export the altered image, ensuring it’s saved with the same name as the original.
4. EPC Software Process:
   • In EPC, choose the altered image as the key frame.
   • For the video, select the first frame from the previously created PNG sequence.
   • Use the software to apply the effect from the key frame (frame 103 in the example) across the range of the video sequence, ensuring continuity in the effect.
5. Finalizing:
   • After EPC finishes, return to the initial editing software.
   • Import the newly generated frames.
   • If using Adobe After Effects, these frames can be incorporated into a new composition.

Outcome and Considerations:

• The result is notably impressive given the absence of advanced de-aging technology.
• Limitations exist, such as oddities appearing when the subject isn’t directly facing the camera.
• As technology progresses, further advancements in this method can be anticipated.

Concluding Remarks:

• The tutorial’s intention is to inspire experimentation.