I know this sounds a bit broad, and possibly a stab in the dark. But how does everyone create their characters? I don’t mean the personality, I mean the actual 3D models.
I’ve tried MakeHuman but creating custom clothes is an issue (lack of tutorials). Do people go in blank and create one in their 3D modelling program from scratch? Or do you use purpose built character creation software? And how would you rig it and animate it? And if anyone knows of any tutorials or cheap ( or free) software can you let me know?
I’m aiming to create a commando type character, like a SWAT team officer, or soldier type of thing.
I think it depends on the game and it’s needs. Makehuman is great for realistic models, but they have pretty high poly counts(not really that high though), but they are quite realistic, as in not stylized much. So if your game needs pretty realistic models, and you can customize your clothes, and you want/need a system with different clothes on the same character, then that route is perfect.
Many games need a more stylized look. Generally you would either make your own, buy one, or modify one to get what you want. But style is not only in the form but the textures and shader materials too.
In general, making your own can be one of the best ways to go(assuming you know how or can learn). You get exactly what you want so you know it fits your game. And you don’t have any worries about paying somebody else(unless it is an employee, which still fits the make your own idea), and no worries about whether you have to credit somebody, or if it is actually legal to use or if somebody just posted it online illegally. And it can fit your needs exactly too. Need realistic, low-poly, more/less detail for style, whatever. You just make it that way yourself.
DAZ. Sure the license is expensive ($500) and you have to still buy the models, but if you already have thousands of models, it’s totally worth it. Can make countless different characters.
I have blender, and makehuman. How would i create my own clothes, helmets, belts with accessories (gun holsters, radios etc)? I’ve searched for tutorials but can’t find any…
Makehuman has a MakeClothes extension(?) for Blender but don’t ask me how it works. I ended up going with Fuse because it had a better assortment of clothes that came with it and I got it for cheap on a Steam sale. With Fuse you can upload 2 characters per week and have them autorigged for free. They have a few animations that you can add for free as well but most animations are pretty expensive (at least for my budget).
There is a program called MarvelousDesigner that will create clothes but it isn’t cheap although I think you could subscribe for just a month ($60).
I’m no artist, and so I deliberately build games that don’t require modelling, especially of something as challenging as a human. If building things is difficult, consider if your game can be made without them.