I'm just wondering if there have been any changes to the facial mocap workflow that might make it a bit cheaper for me. 
I have iclone buy don't have an iPhone. 
I'd like to be able to capture facial animation from a video (or image sequence).  

I was hoping to find a bundle that has only what I need but I've forgotten what's needed.  Is it just the motion live plugin and faceware profile?
I think I'm forgetting something.  It looks like prices are a bit cheap now but it's still pretty pricey for a hobbyist. 

Are there any other solutions using free apps yet?

The cheapest solution is a used iPhone 10/11/12 (well, you won't get a used 12 but that's the idea).  They don't need service.  Any will do.

And, of course, Motion Live and the Live Face plugin.  If you shop carefully you can do it all for around $700 or so (but nothing cheaper and unlikely to ever be.  Well, not this year).

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Alienware Aurora R16, Win 11, i9-149000KF, 3.20GHz CPU, 64GB RAM, RTX 4090 (24GB), Samsung 870 Pro 8TB, Gen3 MVNe M-2 SSD, 4TBx2, 39" Alienware Widescreen Monitor
Mike "ex-genius" Kelley

So if I don't go the iPhone route then I have to buy motion live and the facial mocap plugin costing around $1300 + tax?
Or
If I do find an old iPhone for sale I can just buy the iPhone profile?  But if I do that will I have the ability to capture facial animation from a movie or image sequence?  

Yes, you can capture from anything you can display (using the iPhone):

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Alienware Aurora R16, Win 11, i9-149000KF, 3.20GHz CPU, 64GB RAM, RTX 4090 (24GB), Samsung 870 Pro 8TB, Gen3 MVNe M-2 SSD, 4TBx2, 39" Alienware Widescreen Monitor
Mike "ex-genius" Kelley

That looks pretty good. I guess I could upgrade my phone.  Is there any difference between the iPhone X and the newer ones when using it for motion capture or do they all work about the same?

For getting quality used phones you might try Swappa.com. Guaranteed not stolen and not declared lost to insurance. I've bought five phones there, all wonderful.

:-) 

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Life-long learner and having waaaay too much fun with iClone! Youtube Channel: 3DChick
Book Covers: www.significantcover.com Largely Unfinished Fiction: www.nemontgomery.com

I'm using the iPhone X and it works fine (I think the XR is the cheapest route but as noted you can buy a used phone and it will be fine as well).

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Alienware Aurora R16, Win 11, i9-149000KF, 3.20GHz CPU, 64GB RAM, RTX 4090 (24GB), Samsung 870 Pro 8TB, Gen3 MVNe M-2 SSD, 4TBx2, 39" Alienware Widescreen Monitor
Mike "ex-genius" Kelley