Ever wondered how far we’ve come in the world of computer graphics? Well, let me take you on a quick journey. For years, we’ve been chasing the dream of creating digital humans that don’t just look real but also act the part. But, you know, when these characters start moving, especially in real-time, that’s when things can get a bit… creepy. Yep, I’m talking about the notorious “Uncanny Valley.”
But guess what? The wizards over at Epic Games’ MetaHuman team, which includes the rockstars from 3Lateral and Cubic Motion, are on a mission to change the game. First, they rolled out the MetaHuman Creator, making it a breeze for anyone to craft realistic digital humans. And then, they upped the ante with Mesh to MetaHuman, letting you whip up a MetaHuman from a character sculpt or even a scan of your buddy!
Now, here’s the real kicker: their latest magic trick is the MetaHuman Animator. Imagine capturing an actor’s emotions and expressions and turning them into ultra-realistic facial animations in just minutes. And the best part? You can do it with a fancy camera or even just your iPhone. 📱
To show off this tech, the 3Lateral team in Serbia teamed up with some local talent to produce a short film called “Blue Dot.” And let me tell you, it’s a visual treat! The entire thing, right down to the hair, was brought to life in Unreal Engine, and it runs in real-time. It’s like blending the magic of traditional filmmaking with cutting-edge technology.
The film is a testament to what MetaHuman Animator can do. It’s not just about creating animations; it’s about capturing the soul of a performance. And the results? Mind-blowing! Even the actor, Radivoje Bukvić, was left stunned by how natural his digital self looked.
Oh, and before I forget, one of the coolest things about MetaHuman Animator is that you don’t need to break the bank on equipment. Got an iPhone (12 or above)? That’s all you need to start creating cinematic masterpieces in Unreal Engine.
Want to dive deeper? Check out MetaHuman Animator. It’s part of the MetaHuman Plugin for Unreal Engine, and you’ll need Unreal Engine 5.2 or later to get started.
