Retargeting Animations on Metahumans: A Step-by-Step Guide

In the world of digital animation, retargeting animations onto different skeletons is a crucial process to ensure smooth and natural movements. In this blog post, we will walk through the process of retargeting animations on Metahumans in Unreal Engine. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a beginner in the field, understanding the nuances of this process is essential for creating high-quality animations. Let's delve into the detailed steps involved in this intriguing workflow.

Setting Up the Project

To begin with, it is vital to create a new Unreal Engine project with the appropriate version. While the process should work seamlessly in Unreal Engine 4.27, older versions like 4.26 can also be used. Choosing the third-person template and naming the project appropriately is the first step towards setting up the retargeting machine.

Downloading Animations from Mixamo

Navigate to mixamo.com to download animations with evident hand movements. Select animations with and without skins at 60 frames per second without compression to ensure optimal results. Organize these animations into folders named accordingly - Mixamo, Man_Targets, and Meta_Targets.

Retargeting Animations

Import the downloaded animations into the Mixamo folder.
Create a T-pose pose asset for the Mannequin skeleton to match the imported skeleton.
Utilize the Retarget Manager to retarget animations to the Mannequin and subsequently to the Metahuman skeleton. Ensure precise bone mapping for a seamless retargeting process.

Dealing with Metahuman Skeleton

Download the Metahuman sample project from the Unreal Engine Marketplace.
Migrate relevant pose assets from the sample project to your project for retargeting purposes.
Adjust preview mesh settings to align the pose assets with the Metahuman skeleton accurately.

Finalizing the Retargeting Process

Reset poses, duplicate and retarget animations onto the Metahuman skeleton.
Check for any anomalies such as neck twisting and ensure smooth animations without any distortions.
Save all configurations and finalize the retargeting setup for future use.

Summary of Steps

Download animations from Mixamo and import them into the project.
Retarget animations from the Mannequin to the Metahuman skeleton.
Ensure precise bone mapping and pose adjustments for seamless retargeting.
Verify animations for any issues and make necessary corrections.

By following these steps diligently, you can successfully retarget animations on Metahumans without encountering peculiar distortions or unwarranted issues. This comprehensive guide aims to streamline the retargeting process and elevate the quality of your digital animations significantly.

If you found this blog post informative and insightful, feel free to like and subscribe for more engaging content in the world of digital animation. Stay tuned for further tutorials and guides to enhance your animation skills!

Meta description: Learn how to retarget animations onto Metahumans in Unreal Engine with this comprehensive guide. Follow step-by-step instructions for a seamless process. Keywords: retargeting animations, Metahumans, Unreal Engine, digital animation, Mixamo, skeleton, pose assets.

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