Easiest way to create 3D characters | Tips from Game Outsourcing Studio

Creating 3D characters has become an essential skill in the gaming and animation industries. With the advancement of technology, there are now various software available that make the process of 3D character design easier and more efficient.

When you create 3D characters for games, you usually have two options: use outsourced 3D character creation services or spend dozens of hours learning how to create a good-looking game character (including studying software, references, sketching, tests, etc.).

However, with the appearance of AI and new modeling technologies, new opportunities are opening up for game developers, which can help you greatly simplify the process of creating a 3D character.

Let’s discuss the easiest ways to create your 3d character and provide some tips from a game outsourcing studio RetroStyle Games.

The first step in creating 3D characters is to choose the right software. There are several options available, each with its own set of features and capabilities. Some of the most popular 3D character design software include SelfCAD, MakeHuman, Adobe Fuse CC, Daz 3D, Character Creator, Autodesk Maya, Poser, Blender, ZBrush, and Mixamo.

It is important to choose software that fits your skill level and meets your needs.

SelfCAD

SelfCAD is a user-friendly 3D character program that allows you to quickly create any type of character you can imagine. It offers a wide range of modeling tools, powerful sculpting tools, simple animation tools, and an in-built slicer for 3D printing. It also has a powerful rendering engine and is very affordable.

The premium version costs $14.99 per month, $139.99/yr, or a perpetual license of $599.

So if you’re not considering investing money when creating game characters, you shouldn’t start working with SelfCAD

MakeHuman

MakeHuman is a free and open-source 3D modeling software with a beginner-friendly interface. It offers different possibilities for creating unique 3D characters with a wide range of human attributes.

Advice from outsourcing studio: Although it does not have professional tools, it is suitable for beginners who want to start with 3D character design.

Adobe Fuse CC

Adobe Fuse CC is a high-quality 3D design character software that offers customization options for the body, clothes, hair, eyes, etc. It is integrated with Photoshop and Creative Cloud and provides a wide range of built-in assets and animations.

It is free of cost.

Character Creator

Character Creator is a web-based 3D character design software developed by Autodesk. It offers an extensive variety of 3D character modeling features and allows you to create, customize, and download with a character generator.

The paid version costs $149 per month. The situation here is the same as with SelfCAD

Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya is a robust character creation software for advanced users. It offers an extensive and versatile toolset for character designing, visual effects, 3D animation, rigging, 3D rendering, shading, and motion graphics.

It costs $215 per month. We recommend working with Maya only if you already have serious experience in creating game characters, like RetroStyle Games artists

Blender

Blender is a free and open-source software with strong community backing. It provides a wide range of tools for creating 3D characters, including modeling, rigging, animation, and rendering. It supports both low-polygon and high-polygon models and many popular file formats for exporting 3D characters.

ZBrush

ZBrush is a cost-effective, user-friendly 3D software for character design. It offers powerful 3D sculpting brushes and a very low price compared to other 3D character software.

It costs $39.95 per month.

How AI Can Help in Creating 3D Characters

Now that you have chosen the right software, it’s time to speak about how AI can help you in creation 3d game characters:

1.) Automating Repetitive Tasks: AI algorithms can automate repetitive tasks such as creating basic shapes, rigging, and adding textures. This saves time and allows designers to focus on more creative aspects of character design.

• Adobe Sensei: Adobe’s AI and machine learning platform, integrated into Adobe Creative Cloud applications, can automate repetitive tasks such as creating basic shapes and adding textures.
• Autodesk Maya’s MASH: A suite of nodes in Maya that can be used to automate the creation of repetitive tasks like creating basic shapes and rigging.

2.) Generating Realistic Textures: AI algorithms can generate realistic textures for your character based on reference images. This results in more detailed and realistic characters.

• NVIDIA GauGAN: This is an AI algorithm developed by NVIDIA that can generate realistic textures based on reference images.
• Artbreeder: An online platform that uses Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to generate realistic textures and images based on input parameters.

3.) Facial Expression and Animation: AI can analyze real human facial expressions and movements and replicate them on your 3D character. This results in more natural and realistic animations.

• FaceRig: An application that uses AI to analyze real human facial expressions and movements and replicate them on your 3D character.
• Adobe Character Animator: This software uses your expressions and movements to animate characters in real time.

4.) Predicting and Correcting Errors: AI algorithms can predict and correct errors in your character design, such as disproportionate body parts or unrealistic movements.

• ZBrush’s ZRemesher: An automatic retopology tool that can predict and correct errors in your character design, such as disproportionate body parts.
• Blender’s Corrective Shape Keys: This feature in Blender can be used to correct errors in your character design, such as unrealistic movements.

5.) Generating Variations: AI can generate variations of your character design based on certain parameters. This is useful for creating multiple characters with similar features.

• MakeHuman: An open-source tool that uses AI algorithms to generate variations of your character design based on certain parameters.
• Daz 3D: This software offers a wide range of pre-made characters and assets that can be customized using AI algorithms to generate variations.

Advice from Outsourcing creation studio

Start Simple

If you’re new to 3D character design, start with simple shapes and gradually add details.

Collect reference images of real people, animals, or other characters that have similar features to your character. This will help you create a more realistic and believable character.

Use Templates

Many software options offer templates that you can use as a starting point for your character design.

3D character design software usually comes with a library of pre-made assets such as clothes, hair, and accessories. Use these assets as a starting point and customize them to fit your character.

You can also search for some free 3D assets on thematic platforms

Practice Makes Perfect

The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Take advantage of tutorials and online resources to improve your skills.

Share your character with others and get feedback. This will help you identify any issues and make improvements.

Creating 3D characters is a skill that requires practice and patience. With the right software and some helpful tips from a game outsourcing studio, you can create 3D characters easily and efficiently. Remember to start with a clear concept, use reference images, pay attention to proportions, use pre-made assets, add textures and colors, rig and animate your character, test your character, get feedback, and keep practicing. Happy character designing!