# MetaHumans

{% hint style="warning" %}
Unreal Engine MetaHuman plug-in version 2.0.0 or above is required! 
{% endhint %}

## IMPORTING YOUR METAHUMAN

* Epic has a large amount of preset MetaHumans at your disposal.  Alternatively, you can also create your own MetaHuman through the [MetaHuman Creator found here](https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/metahuman).
* Ensure that the MetaHuman plug-in is installed to your current Unreal Engine version and that you have the plug-in activated in your project.
* Open up Quixel Bridge by navigating in the top menu bar '**Window -> Quixel Bridge**'

<figure><img src="/files/idVtPM3PkBEEm7gsB5sc" alt="" width="266"><figcaption><p>Quixel Bridge menu option</p></figcaption></figure>

* In the upper right hand corner of the Quixel Bridge window click the profile button (<img src="/files/NbcS2fY7buQ5ICQx4Q7G" alt="" data-size="line">) and click '**Sign In**' to log into your epic games account within Quixel Bridge.
* On the left hand side of the Quixel Bridge window click the MetaHumans button.  If you have created your own MetaHuman then a pop-out menu will appear where you can select between '**MetaHuman Presets**' and '**My MetaHumans**'.
* Choose a MetaHuman to download to your Quixel Bridge by clicking on the MetaHuman profile picture and then clicking the green '**Download**' button (<img src="/files/RJdvUioHmxFAEZIPsGfj" alt="" data-size="line">) in the lower right corner of the Bridge.
* Once the download is complete click the blue '**Add**' button (<img src="/files/UPaaaUltfpimdSE3N0Jc" alt="" data-size="line">) in the lower right corner of the Bridge to add the MetaHuman to your project.
* Once the adding process is complete you can close Quixel Bridge and ensure that your MetaHuman has been imported by navigating in your Unreal project content browser to '**All -> Content -> MetaHumans -> \*your MetaHumans name\***'.
* Finally we must **COMPILE** the MetaHuman blueprint in order for it to properly work with HEAT:
  1. Navigate in your Content Browser to your MetaHumans folder by following the file path '**All -> Content -> MetaHumans -> \*your MetaHumans name\***'.
  2. In this folder you will find the MetaHumans '**Blueprint Class**' named '**BP\_\*your MetaHumans name\***'.  Open this file by double clicking it.
  3. In the upper left hand corner of the Blueprint Class asset window you will see the '**Compile**' button (<img src="/files/1BDSJCzMJP9FQ5kc9IVj" alt="" data-size="line">).  Press this button.
  4. Once compiled your MetaHuman is fully ready to be animated with HEAT!

{% hint style="danger" %}
It is **IMPERITIVE** that you compile your MetaHuman's Blueprint Class before attempting to animate.  Animations will not work without compiling.
{% endhint %}

## ANIMATING YOUR METAHUMAN WITH HEAT

* Now that your MetaHuman is downloaded, installed, and compiled you are able to animated your MetaHuman with HEAT.  Start by opening the HEAT plug-in and logging in.
* In the lower right hand corner of the HEAT plug-in click the '**Import As:**' drop down menu and select '**MetaHuman**'.

<figure><img src="/files/TDJVXSc16nPFbqEjVF12" alt="" width="322"><figcaption><p>Import as MetaHuman selection</p></figcaption></figure>

* After selecting MetaHuman another drop down menu will appear labelled '**Model**'.  From this drop down select your MetaHumans name.

<figure><img src="/files/8tl29qozskI2qGswEJ1u" alt="" width="274"><figcaption><p>MetaHuman model selection</p></figcaption></figure>

* With your MetaHuman model name selected simply drag and drop any HEAT animation from the plug-in into your scene.  Your metahuman will appear and will automatically animate.  It's that easy!

<figure><img src="/files/6nQBotqLHjvplhuincOa" alt=""><figcaption><p>MetaHuman drag and drop</p></figcaption></figure>

Next we will go over implementing Unreal Engine's IK retargeting system with HEAT animations to reduce foot sliding.


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