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MakeHuman
What it is
MakeHuman is a free desktop application for creating customizable 3D human characters from a base mesh. Users blend character targets to adjust features ranging from sex and muscle tone to earlobe shape. A built-in downloader lets users browse, search, and retrieve community assets within the application. Meshes can be exported in Collada (DAE), FBX, Wavefront OBJ, STL, and Ogre3D formats, while projects can also be saved in MHM format. For Blender work, the MPFB workflow can communicate directly with MakeHuman instead of relying on exported files. Mesh transfer by export is one-way because MakeHuman cannot read those exported formats back in. BVH is the listed rig format, and documentation says version 1.1.0 does not officially support model animation inside the application. MakeHuman runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The project says there are no hidden paid features or paywall, and core assets such as the base mesh, targets, and skins are shared under CC0. An email address is not required to download it. The installation guide calls for about half a gigabyte of free disk space and a graphics card supporting GLSL 1.2 or above for some real-time materials and the internal rendering engine.
For and against
For
- Free, with no paywall or license fees
- Character targets adjust a wide range of features
- Exports to five listed mesh formats
- Community assets are available in-app
Against
- Exported mesh formats cannot be read back into MakeHuman
- Version 1.1.0 does not officially support in-app model animation
- Some rendering features require GLSL 1.2 or above
The verdict
MakeHuman provides adjustable character modeling and several mesh export options at no cost. Its one-way mesh export and limited in-app animation support are important to consider for a production workflow.
Who it suits
MakeHuman suits people creating customizable 3D human models for export or a Blender workflow. It may also suit users looking for desktop character modeling without a paywall.
Plans and prices
MakeHuman Community
No license fees · No paywall · No email required to download
Read 3 Oct 2026 · static.makehumancommunity.org
On the record
- Animation tools
- Nostatic.makehumancommunity.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Asset downloads
- The built-in asset downloader lets users browse, search, and download community assets from inside MakeHuman.static.makehumancommunity.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Blender integration
- MakeHuman supports a Blender workflow through MPFB, which can communicate directly with MakeHuman instead of relying on file exports.static.makehumancommunity.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Character modeling
- Character targets can be blended to vary features from sex and muscle tone to the shape of an earlobe.static.makehumancommunity.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- Mesh export formats include Collada (DAE), FBX, Wavefront OBJ, STL, and Ogre3D.static.makehumancommunity.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Export limitation
- MakeHuman cannot read its exported mesh formats back in, so export is a one-way transfer; projects can also be saved in MHM format.static.makehumancommunity.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- License and output
- The site states there are no hidden paid features or paywall and says core assets such as the base mesh, targets, and skins are shared under CC0.static.makehumancommunity.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Parametric modeling
- Yesstatic.makehumancommunity.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Platform access
- desktopstatic.makehumancommunity.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- 3D print export
- Yesstatic.makehumancommunity.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Privacy at download
- The site states that an email address is not required to download the software.static.makehumancommunity.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- MakeHuman creates customizable 3D human characters by blending adjustable features on a base mesh.static.makehumancommunity.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Render engine
- built-instatic.makehumancommunity.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Rig export
- BVH is the rig format listed, and the documentation says MakeHuman 1.1.0 does not officially support model animation within the application.static.makehumancommunity.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project README directs usage questions to its forum and asks users to report bugs through the GitHub issues section.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The installation guide calls for about half a gigabyte of free disk space and a graphics card supporting GLSL 1.2 or above for some real-time materials and the internal rendering engine.static.makehumancommunity.org · read 3 Oct 2026
