6 days ago
This Tool Uses AI to Transform Photos of Yourself Into Almost Anything. Here's How It Works
I was recently with a family member who has a framed caricature of their partner and their shared dog right as you walk into their home. It sparked my interest about ways I can create those types of images without having to pose for a picture (and hopefully never at an amusement park).
When I started looking for AI tools that could generate images replicating caricatures, I found Fotor GoArt. There, I was met with a whole lot more than just the ability to turn my headshot into a cartoony version of myself.
What is Fotor, and how does it use AI?
Launched in 2012 by Tony Duan, Fotor is an AI-powered photo editing app and design platform.
The platform began as a simple photo editor but quickly expanded into AI territory as generative tools evolved. GoArt uses AI to analyze the structure of your image and re-render it in the style of famous artworks.
In response, you're met with an instant digital gallery piece that feels true to the style you select. For example, The "Dream World" selection is eerily similar to DreamWorks, and the platform also features ways to construct caricatures, old-timey photos and other artistic expressions across its dashboard.
How to use Fotor to transform photos
My original photo, with the art styles listed on the left.
Fotor / Carly Quellman / Screenshot by CNET
Transforming your photos with Fotor is a simple, yet hilarious, process.
Head to Fotor's website and sign up for a free account, or access its paid subscription models. Then head to Fotor GoArt, where you can access a slew of image styles to incorporate into an existing image. Upload your image and use the existing templates to try on different features. Give Fotor a couple minutes to apply the feature to your image -- and then sit back and experience the childlike joy of seeing yourself in different forms. Finally, you can review your design and download it in your preferred format. Or you can share with family and friends, who will likely laugh at you, and with good reason.
I tried Fotor's Caricature, Mini Figure, Dream World and, my personal favorite, Toy Pet -- which looks exactly like it sounds: you, but covered in fur. This is a great way to showcase different versions of yourself all from your screen. A couple laughs included.
The "Toy Pet" version of me.
Fotor / Screenshot by CNET
Should you use Fotor?
I see Fotor as a convenient, maybe even ideal, tool for casual creators and small business owners looking for fast, polished design without needing a background in graphic design or high-level design chops. Why? Its AI tools make it easy to quickly generate visuals.
The "Mini Figure" version of me.
Fotor / Screenshot by CNET
Now, high-level creatives seeking granular control over their projects would find Fotor's tools too limiting. While it's robust for everyday use, it's not a replacement for professional software for detailed design workflows.
But for sending spirited rounds of caricatures to your teammates while you're working? Absolutely.
Fotor's multiple subscription models are a selling bonus, ranging from a free account (this gave me five free generations), to $7.50/month for a premium account. It also seems like Fotor is offering discounts on its premium plans, ranging from 20-30% off depending on how far down you're down the sales funnel you are.
Is AI-generated art ethical?
But we have to talk about ethical AI. Fotor uses AI for enhancement, generation and background removal, which is all designed to streamline creative work, not replace it.
While Fotor doesn't make strong public claims about ethical AI, its tools prioritize efficiency and creativity without scraping human likenesses from sensitive datasets. I do wonder about its use of artistic styles, though. I specifically avoided trying the Ghibli-style feature based on what I've read in recent headlines -- so why wouldn't the other artistic styles raise the same IP concerns?
Fotor didn't respond to a request for clarification on what it uses to train its AI tool, whether it pays artists or if it scrapes artwork from the web.
These questions aside, if you want to look like you've got a decent designer in your back pocket (without actually hiring one), Fotor might be the move. I can't say its intuitive, but it does generate images -- and laughs -- quickly.
