Animation

Rig a character and add motions from a library of more than 600 presets, then download it as FBX, GLB, or USDZ for Unity, Unreal, or Blender.

For motion the library doesn't cover, download the rigged FBX and animate it by hand in Blender or Maya, or retarget Mixamo animations. Detailed cinematic animation with facial expressions also needs a tool such as Maya or Blender.

Animate a character

To animate a character, follow these steps:

  1. In the left sidebar, click Animate.

  2. In the list of your generations, select a character model. A character in a T-pose or A-pose gives the most accurate rig.

  3. If the model isn't rigged, click Rig and complete the Rig Model dialog. For the full rigging flow, see Rigging.

  4. In the Library tab, find a motion. Enter a name in Search motion, or open Category and select Walk & Run, Daily Actions, Dancing, Fighting, or Body Movements.

  5. On the motion's card, click Add. Meshy applies the motion, and you can click the card to preview it in the viewer.

  6. Optional: Add more motions. Every motion you add appears in the Added tab.

  7. Optional: To create a motion that isn't in the library, at the top of the Library tab, click Text to Motion, and then describe the motion.

A few motions are available on every plan, and the rest need a paid plan. Adding a preset costs no credits. Text to Motion costs credits. Four-legged characters come with a walking animation, and the preset library and Text to Motion are for humanoid characters.

Meshy Animate module: browse the animation preset library and apply clips like dances and gestures to a rigged character

Download the animated model

To download the animated model, follow these steps:

  1. In the viewer toolbar, click Download.

  2. In Download Settings, under Format, select FBX, GLB, or USDZ.

  3. Optional: Choose what to include. For example, with FBX or GLB, under Animation, select Current for the motion that's playing or All Added for every motion you added. For a humanoid, you can also select a Skeleton template, such as Mixamo, which is the default.

  4. Click Download.

Tips

  • Generate characters in a T-pose or A-pose for the most accurate rig. In Image to 3D and Text to 3D, set Pose to A-Pose or T-Pose.

  • For animations beyond the library, download the rigged FBX, and then retarget Mixamo clips or create your own keyframes in Blender's Action Editor.

FAQ

How do I animate a 3D character in Meshy?
In the left sidebar, click Animate, and select the character. Rig it if it isn't rigged, add motions from the library, preview them in the viewer, and download the result.
How many animation presets does Meshy have?
More than 600 presets for humanoid characters, in five categories: Walk & Run, Daily Actions, Dancing, Fighting, and Body Movements.
Can I animate a model I made outside Meshy?
Yes. Upload the model to the list of your generations, and then rig and animate it. A model in a T-pose or A-pose works best.
What formats can I export animated models in?
FBX, GLB, or USDZ. FBX includes the skeleton and animation data and works with Unity, Unreal, and Blender.
Can I create custom animations not in the library?
Yes. Use Text to Motion to generate a motion from a description for a humanoid character. You can also download the rigged FBX, and then create keyframes or retarget Mixamo clips in Blender or Maya.

Next steps

  • To set up the skeleton before you animate, see Rigging.

  • To bring an animated model into Blender, see Animated Models.