Need a realistic 3D human for a game, render or animation without sculpting one from scratch? MakeHuman, a free open-source tool, builds one with sliders, adds clothes, hair and a skeleton, and exports it for Blender, Unity and other 3D programs.
How do you shape a character?
Choose a body area or feature in the interface, then adjust it with the mouse. MakeHuman applies the change to the figure immediately, so you can see how one adjustment affects the model as you work.
Macro sliders set gender, age, height, weight, muscle and ethnic features in one move. Detail sliders then refine single areas, from the chest and waist down to eye shape, finger length and individual toes.
Which parts of the model can you customize?
Dress the figure from libraries of clothes, hairstyles, eyebrows and skins, and download extra asset packs made by the community.
Add a skeleton for animation, then try poses and facial expressions to check how the character deforms.
How do you export a finished model?
MakeHuman includes plugins for exporting models to other editing programs, where they can be used for further work such as rendering. The workflow is to create and adjust the character in MakeHuman, then export it for the next stage in another 3D application.
Exports include FBX, OBJ, Collada (DAE) and STL. Blender users can also use MPFB, the MakeHuman plugin that builds characters directly inside Blender. MakeHuman's code is AGPL-licensed, while the characters you create are CC0, free to use in commercial work.
Pros
- Adjust individual body areas, from the chest and waist to the toes
- See model changes immediately while adjusting features
- Exports FBX, OBJ, DAE and STL with a ready skeleton
Cons
- Interface feels dated
- Clothing and hair options are limited without community packs
Can I use MakeHuman characters in commercial projects?
Yes. Models exported from MakeHuman are released as CC0, so you can use them freely, including commercially.
Does MakeHuman work with Blender?
Yes. Export to FBX or Collada, or use the MPFB plugin to create MakeHuman characters directly inside Blender.
Can the character be animated?
Yes. Choose a skeleton before exporting, and the model arrives rigged for animation in other programs.
