Changing into a Sport Character utilizing Headshot and Polycam


Melis Caner
Hello, I’m Melis Caner, a 3D Generalist and filmmaker with a Movie diploma from Dokuz Eylul College. After graduating with a give attention to cinematography, enhancing, and sound design, I found 3D animation in the course of the pandemic that adopted. Amazed by its limitless artistic potentialities, what started as a interest shortly turned my profession and a brand new type of self-expression. My lifelong love for drawing, dancing, and performing now comes collectively in 3D animation, mixing all my passions into one artwork kind.
Making Sport-Prepared Characters from 3D Scans
On this article, I’ll information you thru the workflow of remodeling a 3D scan into a completely game-ready character utilizing Polycam and Reallusion Headshot 2. From scanning to exporting, it covers all the course of, together with ideas for efficient character creation.

3D Scanning with Polycam
Polycam is a strong app for capturing real-world objects in 3D. Utilizing only a smartphone, it could possibly effortlessly create high-quality, detailed scans. For this undertaking, I began with a head scan.
For a clear scan, even lighting is important. Cloudy climate affords naturally subtle mild, making it splendid. Take loads of pictures from the neck to the highest of the pinnacle, guaranteeing all angles are coated. Scanning the again of the pinnacle is much less important, as particulars are scant and errors may be simply remedied.

After exporting GLTF or OBJ from Polycam, carry it right into a 3D software program to scrub up the mesh. Clean the tough floor and delete the pointless elements and merge the mesh by distance.
Processing the Scan with Headshot 2
Reallusion’s Headshot 2 Plugin is a good instrument for changing 3D scans into digital characters. The next are the steps I used:
- Import the cleaned OBJ file of the 3D scan into Character Creator (CC).
- Click on on “Begin Head Era” after which “Auto Detection”.
- Align the factors in accordance with the mannequin. You can too enhance the variety of the factors for extra element.
- Proceed to the second step for “Head Gen” and choose the acceptable efficient space to your mannequin. I personally advocate selecting the face, because it often works one of the best for me.
- Refine the mesh by sculpting on the mannequin and ensure it’s the proper form in accordance with the unique head scan.
- Use the “Masks” characteristic in Headshot 2 to refine areas just like the eyes and mouth and repair damaged areas. Select the masks that works finest to your character.

Accessorizing & Including Character
As soon as the bottom head mannequin is prepared, choose the suitable pores and skin sort and improve it with clothes and niknaks out of your CC content library. I sometimes select hair and different objects that align with the character’s story and magnificence. If the correct property aren’t instantly accessible, don’t fear—you’ll be able to simply import customized clothes and niknaks into your CC library.


Utilizing the Character in a Sport Engine
- Export the clothed character in FBX format, choosing the “Unreal” preset because the goal utility.
- Select “Mesh” or “Mesh and Movement” if animations are included. Regulate the feel measurement if essential.
- Delete hidden faces to cut back the general polycount.
- Use the Auto Setup plugin for Unreal Engine to import the character effectively into the engine.
The ultimate step includes exporting the character to a recreation engine for real-time use. Reallusion offers the Auto Setup plugin for Unreal Engine to streamline this course of. Integrating the character into the engine was a simple course of:


Conclusion
Changing a 3D scan right into a game-ready character blends artistry with expertise in a rewarding manner. Instruments akin to Polycam and Reallusion Headshot 2 make the method accessible to artists of all talent ranges. This workflow empowers indie builders, digital storytellers, and creatives to infuse real-world authenticity into their initiatives.
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