AI creates virtual characters in animation.
AI is transforming how virtual characters are created in animation, covering everything from character design and 3D modeling to rigging, motion capture, facial animation, and voice generation. This article provides a comprehensive guide on using AI to build animated characters in both 2D and 3D, along with practical tools and real-world applications for animators and content creators.
Virtual characters – from cartoon heroes to realistic digital humans – are becoming easier to create thanks to AI tools. Advanced AI now powers every step of animation: concept art and modeling, automatic rigging, motion capture, facial animation and even voice-driven lip sync.
This makes sophisticated character creation much more accessible to young studios and indie animators, democratizing a process that once required large VFX pipelines.
Designing Characters with AI
AI-driven image models can generate character artwork from text prompts or sketches. Tools like Adobe Firefly let you describe a character and instantly get cartoon-style illustrations or even short animations.
Text-to-Image Generation
Describe a character ("bright anime robot with flowers") and instantly get stylized portraits or scenes from just a few descriptive words.
- Create concept art instantly
- Generate storyboards
- Produce multiple style variations
Text-to-Video Animation
Produce short animated clips from prompts, turning character descriptions into moving cartoon scenes with voice and motion.
- Prototype animated characters
- Create moving visual blueprints
- Experiment with styles quickly
Rigging and Modeling with AI
After designing the look, the next step is giving the character a skeleton and controls (rigging). AI-powered auto-rigging tools greatly speed up this process by automatically placing bones at realistic joints.
Adobe Mixamo
Reallusion AccuRIG
Didimo Popul8
Animating Characters with AI
AI simplifies animation itself through markerless motion capture, physics-aware keyframe editing, and facial animation tools that work without expensive hardware or suits.
Markerless Motion Capture
Turn video footage into 3D character motion without expensive suits or hardware.
DeepMotion Animate 3D
Move.ai
Physics-Aware Keyframe Editing
Create natural, biomechanically plausible motion with AI assistance.
Cascadeur
- Auto-rig characters from rapid drag-and-drop joint layout
- Fine-tune complex poses with AI assistance
- Add secondary motion (bouncing, overlapping) with sliders
- Significantly reduce polish time
Facial Animation
Drive realistic facial rigs from audio alone.
NVIDIA Audio2Face
MetaHuman Animator
Voice and Talking Avatars
Virtual characters often need voices. AI can create those too, generating photoreal or stylized avatars that speak any text with perfect lip-sync.
Synthesia
Offers 240+ lifelike talking AI avatars that turn written scripts into video clips in minutes. Type dialogue, pick an avatar, and the AI generates video of that character speaking with natural facial movement.
- Customizable appearance and language
- Ideal for tutorials and game dialogue
- Save hours of recording time
D-ID, Typecast & HeyGen
Similar platforms providing photo-realistic talking heads and voices. Integrated into animation pipelines, these tools give your virtual character a voice without hiring voice actors or complex lip-sync rigging.
- Photo-realistic avatars
- Multiple language support
- Seamless integration
Popular AI Tools for Virtual Characters
Adobe Firefly
Application Information
| Developer | Adobe Inc. |
| Supported Platforms |
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| Language Support | Multiple languages; available globally |
| Pricing Model | Freemium — Limited free access with generative credits; paid Adobe plans unlock higher usage and advanced features |
Overview
Adobe Firefly is a generative AI platform that empowers creators to produce high-quality visual content, including virtual characters for animation, quickly and efficiently. Built by Adobe and seamlessly integrated into the Creative Cloud ecosystem, Firefly enables users to generate characters, scenes, and design elements using intuitive text prompts and AI-assisted tools. With a strong emphasis on commercially safe content, it's ideal for animators, designers, marketers, and studios seeking to streamline character creation workflows while maintaining professional standards.
How It Works
Adobe Firefly leverages advanced generative AI models trained on licensed Adobe Stock, openly licensed, and public-domain content. This approach ensures outputs are safer for commercial use compared to many open-source AI generators. For animation and virtual character creation, Firefly enables artists to rapidly ideate character designs, costumes, facial styles, and visual moods. Its seamless integration with tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and Adobe Express allows generated characters to flow smoothly from concept art through animation pipelines, supporting both individual creators and professional production teams.
Key Features
Create character concepts and visual styles using detailed text prompts
Fine-tune style, color, and composition for consistent character design
Seamlessly export to Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and Adobe Express
Trained on licensed and public-domain content for safer commercial use
Generate characters, props, backgrounds, and design elements
Generate and compare multiple design options instantly
Download or Access
Getting Started
Create or sign in with an Adobe ID on the Adobe Firefly website.
Enter a detailed text prompt describing your virtual character, including appearance, style, and mood.
Adjust style, color, and composition settings to refine your character design.
Generate multiple variations and select the most suitable character design.
Export or open the generated asset directly in Adobe Creative Cloud apps for further animation, rigging, or editing.
Important Considerations
- Advanced character animation (full motion or rigging) requires additional tools like Adobe After Effects or third-party animation software
- Output quality depends on prompt clarity and may require multiple iterations to achieve desired results
- Internet connection and Adobe account are required to access Firefly features
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Firefly is specifically designed for professional workflows and emphasizes commercially safe content, making it ideal for studios and professional creators.
Firefly specializes in character design and visual generation. Full animation typically requires additional tools like Adobe After Effects or other dedicated animation software.
Yes, Firefly offers a free tier with limited generative credits. Paid Adobe plans provide higher credit limits and access to advanced features.
Yes. Adobe Firefly is trained on licensed and public-domain content, making it more suitable for commercial use than many alternative AI generators. Always review Adobe's current terms for specific commercial use rights.
Reallusion Character Creator & iClone
Application Information
| Developer | Reallusion Inc. |
| Supported Platforms | Windows desktop |
| Language Support | Multiple languages, available worldwide |
| Pricing Model | Paid software with time-limited free trials |
Overview
Reallusion Character Creator and iClone form a comprehensive solution for creating high-quality 3D virtual characters and animating them in real time. Widely used in animation, game development, virtual production, and cinematic previsualization, these professional tools enable creators to design detailed characters and bring them to life with realistic motion and facial animation. Their strong pipeline compatibility with major game engines and 3D software makes them ideal for professionals seeking efficient character-driven animation workflows.
How It Works
Character Creator focuses on generating and customizing fully rigged 3D characters with extensive control over body shapes, facial features, skin materials, hair, and clothing. iClone complements this by providing a real-time animation environment with motion editing, facial performance tools, camera systems, and cinematic rendering. Together, they support modern production pipelines, including export to Unreal Engine and Unity, while incorporating intelligent automation and asset systems that significantly reduce manual workload in character creation and animation.
Key Features
Create fully customized 3D characters with morph-based body and facial customization.
Motion layering, facial animation, and lip-sync in a real-time environment.
Compatible with motion capture and facial capture hardware and plugins.
Seamless pipeline integration with Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, Maya, and more.
Access to clothing, hair, motions, props, and other customization assets.
Download
Getting Started
Download Character Creator and/or iClone from Reallusion's official website and complete the installation process.
Use Character Creator to design and customize a 3D virtual character using morph sliders and asset libraries.
Apply materials, clothing, hair, and accessories to finalize your character model.
Send the character to iClone for animation using motion clips, keyframe animation, or motion capture.
Edit facial expressions, lip-sync, cameras, and lighting, then export to a game engine or render final scenes.
Important Limitations
- No permanent free version available
- Advanced features require additional paid plugins or content packs
- Steeper learning curve compared to beginner-friendly AI character generators
- Windows operating system only
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. These tools are widely used in professional animation, game development, and virtual production pipelines by industry professionals.
They rely more on intelligent automation and parametric systems rather than pure text-to-character AI generation, giving you more control over the final result.
Yes. Both tools support export to Unreal Engine and Unity with optimized character rigs for seamless integration.
No. Motion capture is optional; you can animate characters using built-in motions, keyframes, and animation tools.
Reallusion AccuRIG
Application Information
| Developer | Reallusion Inc. |
| Supported Platforms | Windows desktop (standalone application) |
| Language Support | Multiple languages; available worldwide |
| Pricing Model | Free to use (no permanent paid license required) |
Overview
Reallusion AccuRIG is an AI-enhanced automatic character rigging tool that transforms static 3D character models into fully rigged, animation-ready assets. Designed to simplify one of the most technical steps in character animation, AccuRIG enables artists, animators, and game developers to prepare characters for motion quickly and efficiently. By automating bone placement and skin weighting, it accelerates production pipelines and lets creators focus on animation, storytelling, and visual quality.
How It Works
AccuRIG uses intelligent automation to analyze humanoid 3D meshes and generate accurate skeletal rigs with minimal user input. The tool supports diverse character proportions and mesh complexities, making it suitable for both realistic and stylized characters. It integrates seamlessly with Reallusion's ecosystem—including iClone and Character Creator—while supporting export to industry-standard formats like FBX and USD. This flexibility makes it ideal for creators working across animation, virtual production, and real-time game engines.
Key Features
Automatic bone placement and skin weighting with intelligent analysis
Works with a wide variety of humanoid character meshes and proportions
Built-in motion preview using ActorCore animation assets
Export to FBX and USD for Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, and iClone
Standalone workflow with optional integration into Reallusion tools
Download
Getting Started
Download and install AccuRIG from Reallusion's official website.
Import a humanoid 3D character mesh in a supported format.
Define basic joint markers to guide the auto-rigging process.
Run the AI auto-rig function to generate bones and skin weights.
Preview motions, make minor adjustments if needed, and export the rigged character for animation or game engines.
Limitations & Requirements
- Windows platform only; no official macOS or mobile versions
- Optimized for humanoid characters; non-humanoid models are not supported
- Advanced rig customization may require external 3D software
- Rigging accuracy depends on mesh quality and topology
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. AccuRIG is offered as a free standalone auto-rigging tool by Reallusion with no permanent paid license required.
Basic 3D knowledge is helpful, but the tool is designed to minimize technical rigging complexity, making it accessible to users of varying skill levels.
Yes. Characters can be exported to Unreal Engine and Unity using standard FBX and USD formats for seamless integration.
It greatly reduces manual work and accelerates the rigging process, but complex characters may still require refinement in other 3D tools for advanced customization.
DeepMotion Animate 3D
Application Information
| Developer | DeepMotion, Inc. |
| Supported Platforms |
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| Language Support | English interface; available worldwide |
| Pricing Model | Freemium with monthly free credits; paid subscription plans for higher usage and advanced features |
Overview
DeepMotion Animate 3D is an AI-powered motion capture platform that transforms standard video footage into professional 3D character animation. By eliminating the need for specialized motion capture suits or sensors, it makes character animation accessible to independent creators, game developers, and animation studios. The cloud-based solution delivers realistic 3D motion data compatible with industry-standard animation and game engines.
Key Features
Analyze human movement from standard video without specialized equipment or sensors.
Capture complete body motion, hand gestures, and facial expressions in a single pass.
No local installation required; process animations remotely with browser access.
Export to FBX, BVH, GLB, and MP4 for seamless integration with industry tools.
Animate multiple characters simultaneously (plan dependent).
Compatible with Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, Maya, and other 3D software.
Download or Access
Getting Started
Sign up and log in to the DeepMotion Animate 3D web platform.
Upload a video containing clear human motion captured from a single camera.
Select motion capture settings such as body, hands, or facial tracking based on your needs.
Run the AI processing to generate your 3D animation data.
Preview the result and export the animation file for use in your preferred 3D or game engine.
Important Considerations
- Free usage limited by monthly credit allowances
- Requires stable internet connection for cloud processing
- Advanced animation cleanup and refinement may require external 3D software
- No specialized motion capture hardware needed
Frequently Asked Questions
No. DeepMotion Animate 3D works with standard video footage and does not require mocap suits, sensors, or specialized equipment.
Yes. The platform supports export formats commonly used in Unreal Engine and Unity, making it ideal for game development workflows.
Yes. Facial motion tracking is available and included depending on your selected subscription plan.
Yes. DeepMotion offers a free tier with limited monthly credits, with paid subscription plans available for higher usage and advanced features.
Move.ai
Application Information
| Developer | Move.ai Ltd. |
| Supported Platforms |
|
| Language Support | English interface; available globally |
| Pricing Model | Freemium with limited free credits; paid subscription plans for extended and commercial use |
Overview
Move.ai is an AI-powered markerless motion capture solution that transforms standard video footage into production-ready 3D animation. By eliminating the need for motion capture suits or specialized hardware, it makes high-quality character animation accessible to independent creators, studios, and game developers. The platform captures realistic human motion and converts it into clean animation data that integrates seamlessly with modern animation and game development pipelines.
How It Works
Move.ai uses advanced computer vision and spatial AI to analyze human movement from video recordings and convert it into accurate 3D motion data. Simply record motion using supported mobile devices or cameras, upload footage to the cloud platform, and receive animation files ready for use on digital characters. The system supports industry-standard export formats and works with popular tools such as Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, and Maya—significantly reducing setup time and cost compared to traditional motion capture systems.
Key Features
AI-powered video analysis without suits or markers
Captures body, hands, and finger motion with precision
Fast rendering with industry-standard export formats
Works with Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, and Maya
Download or Access
Getting Started
Sign up on the Move.ai platform to get started.
Capture movement using a supported iOS device or standard camera setup.
Submit your footage to the Move.ai web interface for processing.
Run AI processing to convert video into 3D motion capture data.
Download the animation and apply it to your virtual character in your preferred 3D or game engine.
Limitations & Considerations
- Free usage limited by credit-based system
- Motion accuracy depends on video quality, lighting, and camera positioning
- Cloud processing time varies based on recording length and complexity
- Advanced multi-actor capture restricted to higher-tier plans
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Move.ai is fully markerless and works with standard video recordings, eliminating the need for specialized equipment.
Yes. Move.ai supports export formats compatible with Unreal Engine, Unity, and other major game development platforms.
Yes. Hand and finger tracking are supported, depending on your plan and capture setup quality.
Yes. Move.ai offers limited free credits to get started, with paid subscription plans available for extended and commercial use.
Additional Tools & Platforms
Generative Art Platforms
Epic MetaHuman Creator
Rokoko Vision
Adobe Mixamo
Complete Workflow: Putting It All Together
A modern AI-powered character creation workflow follows these key stages:
Concept
Describe your character in words or sketch it out. Use AI art tools (Firefly, Midjourney, etc.) to generate concept images.
Model & Rig
Build a 3D model or use an existing template. Run it through an AI auto-rigger (Mixamo or AccuRIG) to get a skeleton.
Animate
Capture motion via Rokoko/DeepMotion/Move or animate keyframes. Cascadeur's AutoPosing can help refine movement.
Polish
Add facial animation with MetaHuman Animator or Audio2Face. Give your character a voice with a synthetic avatar generator.
The Future of AI Character Creation
As AI advances, expect even more capabilities: real-time AI directors that adapt animations on the fly, or characters that react to audiences. For now, the tools covered above already provide a complete pipeline for character creation.
By leveraging AI wisely – from text prompts to final render – you can create fully animated virtual characters faster and more easily than ever before. The combination of accessibility, speed, and quality makes this an exciting time for animators, game developers, and content creators of all skill levels.
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