FACEDIG automated tool for placing landmarks on facial portraits for geometric morphometrics users
Abstract Landmark digitization is essential in geometric morphometrics. It enables the quantification of biological shapes, such as facial structures. Traditional landmarking, which identifies specific anatomical points, can be complemented by semilandmarks when precise locations are challenging to...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09714-4 |
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| author | Karel Kleisner Jaroslav Trnka Petr Tureček |
| author_facet | Karel Kleisner Jaroslav Trnka Petr Tureček |
| author_sort | Karel Kleisner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Landmark digitization is essential in geometric morphometrics. It enables the quantification of biological shapes, such as facial structures. Traditional landmarking, which identifies specific anatomical points, can be complemented by semilandmarks when precise locations are challenging to define. However, manual placement of numerous landmarks is time-consuming and prone to human error, leading to inconsistencies across studies. To address this, we introduce FaceDig, an AI-powered tool designed to automate landmark placement with human-level precision, focusing on anatomically sound facial points. FaceDig is open-source and integrates seamlessly with analytical platforms like R and Python. It was trained using one of the largest and most ethnically diverse face dataset, applying a landmark configuration optimized for 2D enface photographs. Our results demonstrate that FaceDig provides reliable landmark coordinates, comparable to those placed manually by experts. The tool’s output is compatible with the widely-used TpsDig2 software, which facilitates adoption and ensures consistency across studies. Users are advised to work with standardized facial images and visually inspect the results for potential corrections. Despite the growing preference for 3D morphometrics, 2D facial photographs remain valuable due to their cultural and practical significance. Future enhancements to FaceDig will include support for profile views, further expanding its utility. By offering a standardized approach to landmark placement, FaceDig promotes reproducibility in facial morphology research and provides a robust alternative to existing 2D tools. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8fcda931e98a4da9ab2a230413d70bb5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-8fcda931e98a4da9ab2a230413d70bb52025-08-20T03:42:33ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-09714-4FACEDIG automated tool for placing landmarks on facial portraits for geometric morphometrics usersKarel Kleisner0Jaroslav Trnka1Petr Tureček2Department of Philosophy and History of Science, Faculty of Science, Charles UniversityDepartment of Philosophy and History of Science, Faculty of Science, Charles UniversityDepartment of Philosophy and History of Science, Faculty of Science, Charles UniversityAbstract Landmark digitization is essential in geometric morphometrics. It enables the quantification of biological shapes, such as facial structures. Traditional landmarking, which identifies specific anatomical points, can be complemented by semilandmarks when precise locations are challenging to define. However, manual placement of numerous landmarks is time-consuming and prone to human error, leading to inconsistencies across studies. To address this, we introduce FaceDig, an AI-powered tool designed to automate landmark placement with human-level precision, focusing on anatomically sound facial points. FaceDig is open-source and integrates seamlessly with analytical platforms like R and Python. It was trained using one of the largest and most ethnically diverse face dataset, applying a landmark configuration optimized for 2D enface photographs. Our results demonstrate that FaceDig provides reliable landmark coordinates, comparable to those placed manually by experts. The tool’s output is compatible with the widely-used TpsDig2 software, which facilitates adoption and ensures consistency across studies. Users are advised to work with standardized facial images and visually inspect the results for potential corrections. Despite the growing preference for 3D morphometrics, 2D facial photographs remain valuable due to their cultural and practical significance. Future enhancements to FaceDig will include support for profile views, further expanding its utility. By offering a standardized approach to landmark placement, FaceDig promotes reproducibility in facial morphology research and provides a robust alternative to existing 2D tools.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09714-4Landmark digitizationGeometric morphometricsFacial morphologyAutomated landmarkingMorphometric software2D facial analysis |
| spellingShingle | Karel Kleisner Jaroslav Trnka Petr Tureček FACEDIG automated tool for placing landmarks on facial portraits for geometric morphometrics users Scientific Reports Landmark digitization Geometric morphometrics Facial morphology Automated landmarking Morphometric software 2D facial analysis |
| title | FACEDIG automated tool for placing landmarks on facial portraits for geometric morphometrics users |
| title_full | FACEDIG automated tool for placing landmarks on facial portraits for geometric morphometrics users |
| title_fullStr | FACEDIG automated tool for placing landmarks on facial portraits for geometric morphometrics users |
| title_full_unstemmed | FACEDIG automated tool for placing landmarks on facial portraits for geometric morphometrics users |
| title_short | FACEDIG automated tool for placing landmarks on facial portraits for geometric morphometrics users |
| title_sort | facedig automated tool for placing landmarks on facial portraits for geometric morphometrics users |
| topic | Landmark digitization Geometric morphometrics Facial morphology Automated landmarking Morphometric software 2D facial analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09714-4 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT karelkleisner facedigautomatedtoolforplacinglandmarksonfacialportraitsforgeometricmorphometricsusers AT jaroslavtrnka facedigautomatedtoolforplacinglandmarksonfacialportraitsforgeometricmorphometricsusers AT petrturecek facedigautomatedtoolforplacinglandmarksonfacialportraitsforgeometricmorphometricsusers |