> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tavus.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Face FAQs

Find answers to common questions about creating, training, and troubleshooting your Tavus faces.

### <Icon icon="shield-quartered" />  **Rights & Creation**

<Accordion title="Can I create a face of someone else, or does it have to be me?">
  Yes, as long as you have the rights to use that person’s likeness, voice, and training content. Uploads must follow Tavus’ [Terms of Service](https://www.tavus.io/terms-of-service) and [Acceptable Use Policy](https://www.tavus.io/acceptable-use-policy).
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can I create a face of a famous or deceased person? Do I need permission?">
  Yes - you may create faces using content you have the legal right and permission to use. This includes faces of public figures, celebrities, or deceased individuals. All training data and usage must comply with Tavus’ [Terms of Service](https://www.tavus.io/terms-of-service) and [Acceptable Use Policy](https://www.tavus.io/acceptable-use-policy), and assume full responsibility and liability for how the face is created and used.
</Accordion>

### <Icon icon="ban" /> Training & Errors

<Accordion title="Which Phoenix model should I use?">
  Use [Choose a Model and Training Path](/sections/faces/which-training-path). In short: Phoenix-4.5 is the newest portrait model and becomes usable quickly; Phoenix-4 is for full body or when you need no watermarked preview stage; Phoenix-3 is only for legacy edge cases (video only).
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Why is there a watermark on my Phoenix-4.5 face?">
  Phoenix-4.5 becomes usable early as a zero-shot preview, before tuning finishes. That preview has a visible watermark burned into the video itself. The later tuned version does not carry the watermark. Phoenix-4 does not have this preview stage. See [Phoenix-4.5 Preview and Status](/sections/faces/phoenix-45-preview-and-status).
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Why does Get Face say completed while my Phoenix-4.5 face is still watermarked?">
  On Phoenix-4.5, `status` `completed` means the preview is usable, not that tuning is done. Check `finetune_status`: `started` means the preview watermark is still on, `completed` means the unwatermarked version is ready, `errored` means tuning failed and you can keep using the preview with a **tuning failed** watermark. See [Phoenix-4.5 Preview and Status](/sections/faces/phoenix-45-preview-and-status).
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can I train a cartoon, anime, or Pixar-style face?">
  Yes. Realistic, cartoon, anime, and Pixar-style humans are all supported. Animals, mascots, and other non-human figures are not. The checker looks for a human-shaped face, not photorealism.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How do I use Phoenix-4.5?">
  Send `"model_name": "phoenix-4.5"` on [Create Face](/api-reference/faces/create-face).
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How do I use Phoenix-4?">
  Send `"model_name": "phoenix-4"` on [Create Face](/api-reference/faces/create-face). Pin it if you need full-body framing or specifically want Phoenix-4.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="My face errored - how can I understand why and what to do differently?">
  If your face fails, it’s usually due to issues with the training footage or the image used. When this happens, you’ll receive an email with an error message explaining the issue, and you can also view it in PAL Maker by hovering over the face’s thumbnail. \
  \
  We recommend reviewing the training guidelines to address the issue, and if you still have questions, you can reach out to [support@tavus.io](mailto:support@tavus.io) for help.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="What error messages might I receive when attempting an Image-to-Face training?">
  When image-based training is rejected, you may see a machine-readable **error code** together with a short explanation. The table below lists common codes. Accessory, hair, and headphones errors apply to **Phoenix-4**. Crop and raised-arm style failures are the ones Phoenix-4.5 adds. Shared codes (quality, pose, under-18, celebrity, multiple faces) apply to both.

  | Code | Message |
  | - | - |
  | `LookingStraightAtCameraError` | There was an error processing your image. The main subject should face the camera with gaze directed straight ahead, as in a typical portrait. Please use a photo where you are not in profile, not turned far to the side, and not looking clearly up or down away from the lens. |
  | `HeadNotFullyInFrameError` | There was an error processing your image. Your entire head should be visible in the frame from the top of the skull down to the chin, without the crown, forehead, or a large part of the head being cut off by the image edge. Please zoom out or reframe and try again. |
  | `ImageQualityError` | There was an error processing your image. The photo is too blurry, poorly lit, or the subject is too small or unclear to use. Please upload a sharper, well-lit photo with your face clearly visible. |
  | `PoseNotSuitableError` | There was an error processing your image. Your pose should be a natural, neutral stance (roughly upright, facing the camera) suitable as a default face pose - not leaning far forward or back, lying down, or in a dramatic action pose. Please use a straighter, more neutral photo. |
  | `HeadphonesError` | There was an error processing your image. Headphones or a headset were detected. Please use a photo without on-ear or over-ear headphones. (**Phoenix-4**) |
  | `CelebrityFoundError` | There was an issue processing your training file: The image appears to show a widely recognizable public figure or a clearly identifiable copyrighted character. Please use only your own likeness and material you have the right to use. |
  | `AppearsUnder18Error` | There was an issue processing your training file: The image appears to show someone who is clearly under 18 years old. Training is only supported for adults. Please use a photo where the main subject is unambiguously 18 or older. |
  | `Phx4NonHumanLikeSubjectError` | There was an error processing your image. The main subject must be a real human or a clearly human-shaped person (including stylized or cartoon humans). Fantasy creatures, animals, objects with faces, or non-human figures are not supported. Please use a photo with a clear human subject. |
  | `Phx4MultipleForegroundPeopleError` | There was an error processing your image. Detect more than one face or face-like element clearly visible in the image, whether real, painted, drawn, printed. Please use a photo with a single main subject. |
  | `Phx4FaceObscuredError` | There was an error processing your image. The face should be clearly visible and not largely covered by hands, objects, headscarf. Please use a clearer photo. |
  | `Phx4CenterFaceNotVisibleError` | There was an error processing your image. A clear human face or head should appear in the center of the photo with facial features reasonably visible. Please reframe so your face is centered and clear, or use a different photo. |

  For Phoenix-4.5 specifically, rejections often sound like: keep a chest-up or waist-up portrait; avoid full-body framing; avoid raised or prominent arms. See [Phoenix-4.5 Image Requirements](/sections/faces/phoenix-45-image-requirements).
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="My face appears to be stuck in training - what should I do?">
  In most cases, your face isn’t actually stuck. Phoenix-4 training typically takes 3–4 hours, and the progress bar may stay at the same percentage while a specific step is processing. Phoenix-4.5 becomes usable when `status` is `completed`, then continues tuning in the background (`finetune_status` `started`) for a few hours. See [Phoenix-4.5 Preview and Status](/sections/faces/phoenix-45-preview-and-status). \
  \
  We recommend allowing the full training time to complete before reaching out to support.
</Accordion>

### <Icon icon="money-bill-transfer" />  Credits & Billing

<Accordion title="My face errored - how do I get back my credit?">
  If your face errors out before or during training, it won’t consume any of your credits.

  However, if you delete the face immediately after the error occurs, our system may not have enough time to register it as a failed run. In that case, the credit might not be refunded correctly.

  \\
</Accordion>


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