What is MakeHuman?

MakeHuman is an open source (AGPL3) tool designed to simplify the creation of virtual humans using a Graphical User Interface, also commonly referred to as a GUI. This is a specialized branch of the more general subject of 3D modelling. The MakeHuman Team is focused on this specific branch of the broader subject in order to achieve the best possible level of quality and ease of use in that area. The ultimate goal is to be able to quickly produce a wide array of realistic virtual humans with only a few clicks of the mouse and be able to render or export them for use in other projects.

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 the widest possible 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 realistic virtual humans. This includes some tools that have not yet been created or are in the early stages of development for things like poses, animation cycles, managing facial expressions, hair and clothes. With the exception of modelling, most of these tools follow a “point and click” approach by using the MakeHuman’s Library. Via the MakeHuman library, users preview and load poses, animation cycles, facial expressions, hair, shoes and clothes onto their character. MakeHuman also offers tools for exporting virtual humans to other software (such as the Blender 3D modeling suite) where further refinements can be made.

MakeHuman is developed by a community of programmers, artists, academics and enthusiasts interested in 3D computer models of human beings.