Web Application Review - 3D Tattoo Preview by Obsessive Ink

Not entirely user friendly, especially for those who aren't web-savvy, but this is a great application with a lot of potential once you figure it out. It's always a good idea to try a temporary version of a tattoo before you take the plunge, and this is one way to see yourself as others would see you and that different perspective is really useful.

When I first heard about the Obsessive Ink 3D tattoo preview application, I knew I had to try it out. It just so happens that I've been working on a facial tattoo design and had actually been wishing that I had access to something just like this. So, I headed over to www.obsessiveink.com to give it a try.

Once you've signed up, you can create an avatar in your likeness. There's two different ways in which you can do this - either use their program to create a face and body similar to your own, or upload a photo of yourself and allow it to create an avatar for you based on your picture. I decided to go the picture route, wanting to test the program for accuracy. I used my camera phone and purposely uploaded a somewhat blurry, not-so-hot image that still fit their guidelines, since I know most people aren't going to have fancy cameras to take sharp images with; I wanted to see just how well the program would adapt. I have to say, I was pretty impressed with the results - I think I have a pretty good idea of what I would look like if I were bald now, and I plan to never shave my head.

Once you have your likeness created, then you can use it to add tattoos and see how they look. Again you have two options - use one of the images they already have available in the application (a very limited selection) or upload an image of your own. There is a fee involved for this option, but it's only $1.99 to upload your own image and it gives you a lot more flexibility when it comes to designing something personal. Again, wanting to test the program's abilities and since I was creating something based on a tattoo I actually want, I chose to upload a drawing that I had done.

This is where I have to say that the program became a little less user friendly. It took me several trips around in circles before I finally figured out how to upload and then add my design to my avatar, which is why I took this short video of how to use the program once I figured it out. In my case, my scan wasn't the greatest so some of the paper surrounding the drawing was included in the final image, but all in all I was pretty impressed with the results and I can see a lot of potential in this application. I'd love it if they'd add the ability to "pierce" your avatar as well - I've been thinking of a septum ring and would love to see beforehand what my (bald) self would look like with one.