<h1 id="retroforge-stylecaster">🎨 RetroForge StyleCaster</h1><img src="https://image.civitai.com/xG1nkqKTMzGDvpLrqFT7WA/0742d3c9-9886-43b2-a147-c8ab456513dc/original=true/0742d3c9-9886-43b2-a147-c8ab456513dc.jpeg" />A powerful ComfyUI prompt builder designed for Flux2Klein workflows that transforms any input image into stunning stylized 3D renders with modular control.<hr /><h2 id="important-notice">⚠️ Important Notice</h2>RetroForge StyleCaster is designed for creative stylization and artistic experimentation.Because of how Flux2Klein models work, extreme 3D stylization and perfect facial likeness cannot be fully achieved at the same time.The stronger the collectible figurine effect becomes, the more the model naturally reinterprets facial proportions.<h3 id="recommended-settings-for-maximum-identity-preservation">Recommended settings for maximum identity preservation</h3><ul><li>Stylization: LOW</li><li>Identity Strength: STRICT</li><li>Animated Stylization: OFF</li></ul>Final results always depend on:<ul><li>Source image quality</li><li>Model version</li><li>Prompt</li><li>Overall stylization strength</li></ul><hr />Designed by artists, for artists.No coding required.Choose a preset for instant results or unlock complete creative control with 13 modular parameters.<hr /><h1 id="quick-start-presets">🚀 Quick Start — Presets</h1><h2 id="clean_3d">✨ CLEAN_3D</h2>VibePremium studio-quality render with faithful facial likeness.Perfect for• Portraits• Product shots• Character references<hr /><h2 id="vintage_poster">🎞️ VINTAGE_POSTER</h2>VibeAged paper, gentle creases, noir shadows and timeless poster aesthetics.Perfect for• Movie posters• Album covers• Retro artworkDefault StyleUses MEDIUM grunge for a balanced vintage appearance.<hr /><h2 id="pixar_style">🧸 PIXAR_STYLE</h2>VibeGlossy resin materials, expressive eyes and warm cinematic lighting.Perfect for• Family portraits• Pets• Cheerful characters<hr /><h2 id="cyberpunk_neon">🌆 CYBERPUNK_NEON</h2>VibeChrome surfaces, magenta/cyan lighting and dense futuristic detail.Perfect for• Sci-fi characters• Cyberpunk artwork• Technology-themed renders<hr /><h2 id="horror_noir">👁️ HORROR_NOIR</h2>VibeHyperreal skin, unsettling atmosphere and dramatic shadows.Perfect for• Horror icons• Dark portraits• Thriller artwork<hr /><h2 id="claymation">🏺 CLAYMATION</h2>VibeSoft matte clay with a handcrafted stop-motion feel.Perfect for• Whimsical characters• Handmade aesthetics• Stylized collectibles<hr /><h2 id="porcelain_doll">🤍 PORCELAIN_DOLL</h2>VibeFragile ceramic glaze with cold, elegant lighting.Perfect for• Fashion artwork• Elegant portraits• Delicate doll aesthetics<hr /><h2 id="minimalist">🎯 MINIMALIST</h2>VibeClean silhouettes with strong shapes and negative space.Perfect for• Logos• Icons• Posters• Graphic design<hr /><h2 id="hyperreal">📸 HYPERREAL</h2>VibePhotorealistic materials with pore-level detail and cinematic lighting.Perfect for• Maximum realism• High-end renders• Showcase images<hr /><h2 id="how-to-use">▶️ How to Use</h2><ol><li>Select a preset.</li><li>Connect the node to your Flux2Klein sampler.</li><li>Generate.</li></ol>All compatible parameters are configured automatically.Want more control?Switch to CUSTOM mode and fine-tune every setting manually.<hr /><h1 id="full-parameter-guide-(custom-mode)">🎛️ Full Parameter Guide (CUSTOM Mode)</h1><h2 id="core-stylization">🎨 Core Stylization</h2><h3 id="stylization">stylization</h3>Controls the overall strength of the 3D transformation.Options<ul><li>LOW — subtle realism</li><li>MEDIUM — balanced stylization</li><li>HIGH — collectible figurine appearance with sculpted resin detail</li></ul><hr /><h3 id="animated_stylization">animated_stylization</h3>Adds cartoon influence.Options<ul><li>OFF — realistic 3D</li><li>LOW</li><li>MEDIUM</li><li>HIGH — full Pixar / DreamWorks style</li></ul><hr /><h3 id="expression_protection">expression_protection</h3>Preserves the original facial expression.Options<ul><li>OFF</li><li>NORMAL</li><li>STRICT — prevents beautification and forced facial symmetry</li></ul><hr /><h3 id="identity_strength">identity_strength</h3>Controls how closely the generated face matches the original.Options<ul><li>LOOSE</li><li>BALANCED</li><li>STRICT — preserves wrinkles, moles and subtle facial characteristics</li></ul><hr /><h1 id="color-and-typography">🎨 Color &amp; Typography</h1><h3 id="color_fidelity">color_fidelity</h3>Controls color accuracy.Options<ul><li>LOW</li><li>MEDIUM</li><li>HIGH — preserves original skin, hair and clothing colors as closely as possible</li></ul><hr /><h3 id="typography_mode">typography_mode</h3>Controls text handling.Options<ul><li>AUTO</li><li>PRESERVE — keeps and stylizes existing text</li><li>NONE — removes text entirely</li></ul><hr /><h1 id="composition-and-background">🖼️ Composition &amp; Background</h1><h3 id="composition_strength">composition_strength</h3>Controls framing complexity.Options<ul><li>LOW — centered composition</li><li>MEDIUM</li><li>HIGH — dynamic poster layout</li></ul><hr /><h3 id="background_mode">background_mode</h3>Controls how the background is processed.Options<ul><li>PRESERVE</li><li>CLEAN</li><li>REINTERPRET</li><li>STUDIO — clean gradient studio backdrop</li></ul><hr /><h1 id="lighting-and-atmosphere">💡 Lighting &amp; Atmosphere</h1><h3 id="lighting_mood">lighting_mood</h3>Controls the lighting style.Options<ul><li>NEUTRAL</li><li>DRAMATIC</li><li>NOIR — classic venetian-blind shadows</li><li>WARM</li><li>COLD</li><li>NEON — cyberpunk magenta/cyan rim lighting</li></ul><hr /><h1 id="surface-and-texture">🧱 Surface &amp; Texture</h1><h3 id="material_quality">material_quality</h3>Controls the surface material appearance.Options<ul><li>DEFAULT</li><li>HYPERREAL</li><li>MATTE_CLAY</li><li>GLOSSY_RESIN</li><li>PORCELAIN</li><li>METALLIC</li></ul><hr /><h1 id="vintage-and-detail">🕰️ Vintage &amp; Detail</h1><h3 id="grunge_overlay">grunge_overlay</h3>Adds aging and weathering effects.Options<ul><li>OFF</li><li>SUBTLE</li><li>MEDIUM — gentle creases and vintage texture</li><li>HEAVY — scratches and stains</li><li>EXTREME — heavily damaged, torn appearance</li></ul><hr /><h3 id="detail_density">detail_density</h3>Controls overall detail level.Options<ul><li>MINIMAL — focus on silhouettes</li><li>BALANCED</li><li>DENSE — micro-details throughout the entire image</li></ul><hr /><h1 id="extra">➕ Extra</h1><h3 id="base_prompt">base_prompt</h3>Your primary transformation prompt.Use this field to customize the core request or improve facial preservation by adding phrases like:<ul><li>sharp facial features</li><li>detailed face</li><li>accurate face likeness</li></ul><hr /><h3 id="extra_positive">extra_positive</h3>Append additional prompts, LoRA triggers or custom instructions without modifying the main prompt.<hr /><h1 id="pro-tips">💡 Pro Tips</h1><h3 id="horror">👻 Horror</h3>Use:<ul><li>Animated Stylization → OFF</li><li>Expression Protection → STRICT</li></ul>Pixar-style eyes immediately reduce the horror atmosphere.<hr /><h3 id="vintage-posters">🎞️ Vintage Posters</h3>Recommended combination:<ul><li>Grunge Overlay → MEDIUM</li><li>Lighting Mood → NOIR</li><li>Background Mode → STUDIO</li></ul>Increase to HEAVY or EXTREME for distressed poster effects.<hr /><h3 id="maximum-identity">🙂 Maximum Identity</h3>Use:<ul><li>Identity Strength → STRICT</li><li>Color Fidelity → HIGH</li><li>Expression Protection → STRICT</li></ul>Then add:<ul><li>sharp facial features</li><li>accurate likeness</li></ul>to base_prompt.This improves facial preservation, although it may slightly reduce stylization strength.<hr /><h3 id="cyberpunk">🌆 Cyberpunk</h3>For vibrant neon artwork combine:<ul><li>Lighting Mood → NEON</li><li>Material Quality → METALLIC</li><li>Color Fidelity → LOW</li></ul>This allows the model to freely recolor the image into a cyberpunk palette.<hr /><h3 id="typography">🔤 Typography</h3>If the source image already contains text:Use PRESERVE or AUTO.Choose NONE if you want to remove all text.<hr /><h3 id="identity-vs-style">⚖️ Identity vs Style</h3>Flux2Klein naturally prioritizes stylization at higher settings.If facial accuracy is more important than artistic transformation, start with:<ul><li>Stylization → LOW</li><li>Identity Strength → STRICT</li></ul>Then reinforce the prompt using face-specific keywords inside base_prompt.<h1 id="advanced-techniques">🧠 Advanced Techniques</h1><img src="https://image.civitai.com/xG1nkqKTMzGDvpLrqFT7WA/1e8da1da-f24e-4b32-b471-2b210480ec1c/original=true/1e8da1da-f24e-4b32-b471-2b210480ec1c.jpeg" /><h2 id="multi-reference-trick-for-better-identity-preservation">🎯 Multi-Reference Trick for Better Identity Preservation</h2>The included workflow uses two reference images instead of one to achieve stronger identity preservation while maintaining stylized 3D results.<h3 id="reference-image-1">🖼️ Reference Image #1</h3>Your original image provides:<ul><li>Color</li><li>Texture</li><li>Lighting</li><li>Overall appearance</li></ul>This tells the model what to generate.<hr /><h3 id="reference-image-2">✏️ Reference Image #2</h3>The same image is processed using AIO_Preprocessor before being supplied as a second reference.This version provides:<ul><li>Facial structure</li><li>Body proportions</li><li>Pose</li><li>Overall outlines</li></ul>Unlike ControlNet, this image is not used as a control signal.Instead, it is passed directly into Flux2Klein's native multi-reference conditioning, allowing the model to blend information from both references simultaneously.<hr /><h2 id="why-it-works">💡 Why It Works</h2>Flux2Klein attempts to satisfy both conditioning sources at the same time.The first image describes:"What should be generated?"The second image describes:"How should it be structured?"The result is often:<ul><li>Better facial proportions</li><li>Stronger pose consistency</li><li>Improved identity preservation</li><li>Cleaner 3D stylization</li></ul>...all without relying on ControlNet.<hr /><h1 id="choosing-the-right-preprocessor">🎨 Choosing the Right Preprocessor</h1><h2 id="lineart">✏️ Lineart</h2>Best for<ul><li>Portraits</li><li>Faces</li><li>Clear outlines</li></ul>Why use itProvides the strongest facial structure preservation and is the recommended starting point for most portraits.<hr /><h2 id="canny">📐 Canny</h2>Best for<ul><li>Hard edges</li><li>Architecture</li><li>Mechanical objects</li></ul>Why use itExcellent for preserving sharp contours and geometric detail.<hr /><h2 id="depth">🌄 Depth</h2>Best for<ul><li>Complex scenes</li><li>Interior spaces</li><li>Environmental renders</li></ul>Why use itAdds spatial awareness and improves perspective consistency.<hr /><h2 id="normal-map">🧱 Normal Map</h2>Best for<ul><li>Surface relief</li><li>Material detail</li><li>Mechanical assets</li></ul>Why use itHelps preserve surface topology and fine material information.<hr /><h2 id="recommended-starting-points">⭐ Recommended Starting Points</h2>For most projects:<ul><li>Portraits → Lineart</li><li>Objects &amp; Architecture → Canny</li><li>Complex Scenes → Depth</li></ul>Different source images respond differently, so don't hesitate to experiment.<hr /><h1 id="recommended-settings">⚙️ Recommended Settings</h1>For the best balance between identity preservation and stylization:<ul><li>Preset: CLEAN_3D (or any preset you prefer)</li><li>Stylization: LOW</li><li>Identity Strength: STRICT</li><li>Expression Protection: STRICT</li><li>Animated Stylization: OFF</li></ul><hr /><h2 id="technical-note">⚠️ Technical Note</h2>This workflow takes advantage of an undocumented behavior in Flux2Klein's native multi-reference blending.Because this behavior is not officially documented:<ul><li>Results may vary between model versions.</li><li>Different preprocessors may produce different outcomes.</li><li>Future updates could change how this behaves.</li></ul>Treat it as an advanced optimization technique rather than a guaranteed feature.<hr /><h1 id="recommended-companion-nodes">🔧 Recommended Companion Nodes</h1>RetroForge StyleCaster works best as part of a larger workflow.Here are two companion nodes that pair exceptionally well with it.<hr /><h2 id="zimageresolutionscaler">📐 ZImageResolutionScaler</h2>🔗 <a target="_blank" rel="ugc" href="https://civarchive.com/models/2344436/z-image-resolution-picker">https://civarchive.com/models/2344436/z-image-resolution-picker</a>Automatically resizes images to resolutions that work best with Flux2Klein models.<h3 id="why-use-it">Why use it?</h3>Flux models are surprisingly sensitive to input resolution.Feeding very large images (such as 4K photos) often introduces facial artifacts or inconsistent stylization.ZImageResolutionScaler automatically finds a more suitable working resolution before generation begins.<hr /><h2 id="simple-text-overlay-node">🔤 Simple Text Overlay Node</h2>🔗 <a target="_blank" rel="ugc" href="https://civarchive.com/models/2711044/simple-text-overlay-node">https://civarchive.com/models/2711044/simple-text-overlay-node</a>Adds crisp text overlays after rendering.Perfect for:<ul><li>Movie titles</li><li>Logos</li><li>Captions</li><li>Credits</li><li>Poster typography</li></ul><h3 id="why-use-it">Why use it?</h3>StyleCaster can preserve existing text reasonably well, but generating new readable text is still unreliable.Adding typography as a post-process produces much cleaner and more professional results.<hr /><h1 id="installation">🔧 Installation</h1>Installation takes only a few seconds.<ol><li>Extract the RetroForge-StyleCaster folder.</li><li>Copy it into:</li></ol><code>ComfyUI/custom_nodes/</code><ol><li>Restart ComfyUI.</li><li>Find the node under:</li></ol><code>prompt → builders</code>You're ready to create.<hr /><h1 id="limitations-and-notes">⚠️ Limitations &amp; Notes</h1><h3 id="3d-stylization-vs-facial-accuracy">3D Stylization vs Facial Accuracy</h3>This is a limitation of Flux2Klein models—not a bug in StyleCaster.As stylization increases, the model naturally begins to reinterpret facial anatomy.Higher stylization creates stronger collectible and animated aesthetics, while lower stylization preserves facial identity more faithfully.Finding the right balance between style and likeness is part of the creative process.

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