How to Build Your Own Free Digital Human with MetaShape and MetaHuman

Inspired by the sci‑fi film "The Wandering Earth 2," which depicts the clash between human civilization and digital life, this tutorial demonstrates how designers can create their own digital human avatars.

First, capture a series of facial photos: take at least three shots per angle, covering a minimum of 36 images, ensuring the top of the head and chin are included, and keep the model still while the photographer moves around with a smartphone.

Import the photos into Metashape (formerly PhotoScan) and follow the illustrated steps to load them.

Align the photos using the default workflow (Workflow → Align Photos) to generate a point cloud.

Next, create the point cloud and then build the 3D model (Workflow → Build Model).

Generate textures for the model (Workflow → Generate Texture).

Export the finished OBJ model from Metashape.

In Unreal Engine, search for and install the MetaHuman plugin from the Marketplace.

Create a new project, enable the plugin in the Plugins menu, and set up a folder for the imported model.

Drag the exported OBJ into the folder, enable "Combine" in the import settings to merge static meshes.

Create a new MetaHuman asset, name it, and add the imported static mesh via the CreateComponents button.

Add a PromoteFrame component and enable Autotracking.

Start the solver, select a body shape, and upload the model to the MetaHuman cloud platform.

Log in to MetaHuman Creator, open the uploaded avatar, and use the editing tools to fine‑tune facial features, hair, and body; parameters are fully modular and parametric.

Open Quixel Bridge from the Window menu, log in, and download the required textures for the avatar.

After adding the textures, the result is a highly realistic digital human that can be further animated in Unreal Engine using Blueprints or integrated with open‑source models for additional functionality.