MakeHuman

MakeHuman is a free, open source, interactive modelling tool for creating custom 3D human characters. These characters can be modeled in minutes and can then be used with many other modelling and rendering programs to incorporate realistic human figures into computer generated images and animations. Features that make this software unique include the tetra-parametric GUI© and the Natural Pose System©, for advanced muscular simulation.

Humans are created through the manipulation of controls that allow for the blending of different human attributes to create unique 3D human characters. The controls are intended to provide the user with a simple way to create characters that give expression to a wide range of human forms. The controllable attributes are broken into two groups: macro and detail. The macro targets deal with overall human characteristics like gender, age, height, weight and ethnicity. The detail targets allow for the character to be further refined by focusing on the low level details of such things as the eye’s shape or finger’s length.

The MakeHuman project strives to provide a complete tool that allows for the management of all things needed to create virtual humans. With the exception of modeling, most of these tools follow a “point and click” approach by using the MakeHuman’s Library. MakeHuman also offers tools for exporting virtual humans to other software (such as the Blender 3D modeling suite) where further refinements can be made.