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What is the MetaHuman Creator?
Hard- & Software
Short description
With the free software MetaHuman Creator, Epic Games simplifies the creation of three-dimensional human characters in Unreal Engine for developers. This article will present the versatility and flexibility of the tool.
Overview
The so-called MetaHuman Creator is a free cloud-based software by Epic Games that allows the creation of photorealistic 3D models of humans in a short amount of time. The structure and appearance of the interface strongly resemble one of the countless character editors found at the beginning of an RPG. However, the MetaHuman Creator is much more than just a simple editor for creating a human model. It is the result of decades of development in the field of digital human creation by companies like 3Lateral and Cubic Motion, which are now also part of Epic Games.
Playful workflow thanks to the editor
When creating a new MetaHuman model, users are first provided with a selection of pre-made models. These include people from various ethnicities, age groups, and body types. Users also have the option to combine multiple pre-made models to create a completely unique and individual character. Afterward, by clicking through several menus, users can modify various body parts to their liking. For example, the size of the nostrils, the color of the eyes or hair can be adjusted with a simple slider. Additionally, the style of clothing can be customized. Finally, the MetaHuman can be downloaded through the Quixel Bridge application and imported into Unreal Engine. Users also gain access to the source data in the form of an Autodesk Maya file, allowing the models to be further refined through sculpting.
Natural movements thanks to body scans
The movements and facial expressions of the MetaHuman models are anatomically correct and physically plausible. The software derives its data from countless body scans from the real world. However, this also means that movements not within the database cannot be realized.
Created MetaHumans are already fully rigged and can be fully animated in Unreal Engine using keying or a performance capture solution. Epic's own Live Link Face app is ideal for this, though it is only available for iOS. Alternatively, third-party software such as ARKit, Faceware, or Speech Graphics can also be used.
What is needed to use MetaHuman Creator?
To use MetaHuman Creator, a powerful computer with a Windows or macOS operating system is required. It should also have internet access and a Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari web browser installed. Additionally, the user must create an Epic Games account, and in order to download the created models, the free application Quixel Bridge must be installed on the computer. Created MetaHumans are licensed exclusively for use in Unreal Engine (version 4.26.2 and above). This means that models created with MetaHuman Creator can only be rendered in Unreal Engine.
Application
The MetaHuman Creator was primarily developed for use in the gaming industry. However, the animated models can also be used in films. Additionally, the created characters can be combined with a motion capture system, allowing them to be used, for example, in the field of VTubing.
Conclusion
The clarity and simplicity make the MetaHuman Creator an easy-to-use software, allowing developers to create realistic characters in just a few hours. However, both an Epic Games and a Quixel Bridge account are required. Additionally, the created models can only be rendered in Unreal Engine. Unfortunately, developers using the tool become heavily dependent on Epic Games and their services and tools, despite the supposedly free use. Finally, it should be noted that the program's capabilities quickly hit their limits in practice. Notably, the limited facial expressions and movements, as well as the small selection of clothing, stand out. However, it will be interesting to see the development of this still quite experimental tool in the coming years and when it will leave the Early Access phase.
Questions & Requests
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