Retargeting Mixamo Skeleton to Unreal Engine: A Step-by-Step Guide

Mixamo is a popular platform for creating and customizing character animations, while Unreal Engine is a powerful tool for game development. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of retargeting a Mixamo skeleton to Unreal Engine, adding new animations, and setting up IK rigs for smoother movement. Let's dive in!

Choosing the Unreal Mannequin and Setting Up Retargeting

Begin by selecting the Unreal mannequin model. For this tutorial, we will use Quinn for retargeting.
Open the chosen model and right-click on the pelvis to set it as the retarget root.
Proceed by adding six new chains: spine, head, left arm, right arm, left leg, and right leg.

Assigning Bones and Chains

Define the bones for each chain:
- Spine: Spine 1 to Spine 5
- Head: Neck 01 to Head
- Left Arm: Clavicle to Hand
- Right Arm: Clavicle to Hand
- Left Leg: Thigh to Ball, Ball to Toe
- Right Leg: Thigh to Ball, Ball to Toe

Setting Up IK Rig for Mixamo Character

Create a new IK rig for your Mixamo character:
- Right-click on the hips and set them as the retarget root.
- Add the same chains as before for spine, head, left arm, right arm, left leg, and right leg.
- Define the bones for each chain as follows:
  - Spine: Spine 1, Spine 2
  - Head: Neck to Head
  - Left Arm: Left Shoulder to Left Hand
  - Right Arm: Right Shoulder to Right Hand
  - Left Leg: Left Up Leg, Left Toe Base
  - Right Leg: Right Up Leg, Right Toe Base

Setting IK Retargeter in Unreal Engine

Right-click and go to animation to set up the IK retargeter.
Choose the created IK retarget rig (e.g., Quinn IK retarget rig) and set the target to the Mixamo character.
Edit the pose to align the bones and joints for a seamless animation transition.
Adjust the angles and positions of the bones to match the desired animation (e.g., Running Animation).

Exporting and Finalizing

Once you are satisfied with the animation, export it to your preferred folder.
Open the animation and make any necessary adjustments to ensure smooth playback.
Review the animation and make tweaks as needed to achieve the desired look and feel.

By following these steps, you can successfully retarget a Mixamo skeleton to Unreal Engine, create new animations, and set up IK rigs for enhanced motion in your game development projects. Thank you for watching this tutorial!

Meta description: Learn how to retarget Mixamo skeletons to Unreal Engine, set up IK rigs, and create custom animations. Follow our step-by-step guide for seamless integration.

Keywords: Mixamo, Unreal Engine, retargeting, animation, IK rig, game development

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