Overview

Bring a character to life with the power of 3D design in Unreal Engine. In this class, your instructor, Lucas Ridley, will teach you how to use Unreal Engine for the first time and leverage the software to create your own custom character. From recording a personalized facial capture to customizing a Metahuman character, you’ll discover that creating a playable character within Unreal Engine isn’t as intimidating as you might think. With Lucas as your guide, you’ll: - Discover Unreal Engine and how to navigate the software - Use the Metahuman app to create a customized character - Import your character into Unreal Engine - Play your character within a template level - Plus, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at Lucas’ work process as a full-time animator. Whether you dream of working as an animator in films or video games or you are just curious about 3D character animation, you’ll leave this class knowing how to create your own unique character that your audience can connect to. To take this class, you don’t need any Unreal Engine experience. All you need is an interest in creating your own 3D films or video games as well as the Unreal Engine software, a computer, and a three button mouse. To record your own facial capture you’ll need an iPhone and the Live Link App but you can also download free motion capture data online if you don’t have an iPhone. Instructor bio: Lucas Ridley is a professional animator whose work has appeared in films by directors like Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, as well as in major game studios. Originally from Kentucky, his career has taken him around the world, from Los Angeles to London, contributing to blockbuster projects while also pursuing personal creative work. Lucas brings that industry experience into teaching, where he focuses on making animation approachable and frustration-free. His goal is to give learners clear, practical guidance to help them build confidence and create with independence.

Syllabus

Getting Started & Introduction

In this introductory module, you’ll get oriented with the course structure and Unreal Engine’s interface, setting the foundation for your 3D character animation journey. You’ll learn how to launch a new Unreal Engine project, configure it for character creation, and explore the essential tools and features within the engine. By the end of this module, you’ll feel confident navigating the software and ready to start building your animated character.

Building Your Metahuman

This module guides you through the exciting process of designing and integrating your own Metahuman—a high-fidelity digital character. You’ll begin by exploring the Metahuman Creator to customize your character’s appearance, then bring it to life by attaching it to a third-person controller in Unreal Engine. Finally, you’ll create a personalized facial animation, giving your Metahuman unique expression and personality.

Customizing & Finalizing Your Metahuman

In the final module, you’ll transform your character into a polished, interactive digital persona. You’ll customize materials, textures, props, and animations to enhance both visual appeal and behavior. Then, you’ll finalize your Metahuman’s functionality within the game environment, ensuring it’s fully playable and presentation-ready. By the end of this module, you’ll have a completed character you can use in demo reels, games, or storytelling projects.