How to make a 3D character for beginners

Making a 3D character is both an art and a science that requires an artistic approach grounded in technical skills. This article will give you a step-by-step walkthrough for how to make a 3D character for your own project. We’ll also give you some tips about where to find ready-made 3D models, what software you can use for them, and where to find 3D artists.

What is 3D modeling, and how does it work?

3D modeling is the process of creating a three-dimensional digital object. In other words, it’s the process of “molding” a virtual sculpture using special software. 

The main goal is to turn a flat piece of concept art and ideas into three-dimensional models that can be turned, scaled and examined from any angle.

An example of a 3D model of a person. Source

What are the main components of 3D modeling?

  • Geometry

The base of every 3D model is a polygon grid. Polygons are flat shapes, normally triangles or rectangles, that combine to form the surface of the model. The polygon count and their structure determine how realistic and detailed the object looks.

A polygon grid of a figure. Source

  • Topology

Topology is the way polygons are organized on the surface of a model. It’s important if you want your creation to deform correctly when animated. The correct topology will help you to avoid unwanted creases and distortions in the areas your character will bend, such as their elbows or knees.

Topology example. Source

  • Detail

The level of detail will depend on where and in what way your character will be used. Games usually use optimized low-poly objects, which can be processed quickly in real time. High-poly modeling can be used for high-quality renders with more complex details, such as skin textures or the finer details of clothes.

Detail. Source

  • Texturing

After you finish your piece’s shape, the next step is to apply some textures. Textures are images that add color, fine details and life to a 3D image. For example, textures give the surface a smooth, rough or patterned appearance to add realism.

The texturing process. Source

  • Rigging

Rigging is when we create a virtual “skeleton” for our design. This skeleton is made up of bones and joints which control the character’s movements. Rigging in modeling allows your design to move and interact with the game environment. Without a rig, it will be nothing more than a lifeless figure.

Rigging. Source

  • Animation

After finishing the skeleton, your image can really be brought to life. An animator sets movements so that their character can walk, run, speak, fight, and express emotions.

  • Rendering

This is the final step of the process where your computer transforms your modeling data, including the geometry, textures and animation, into the final image or animation. 

Things to keep in mind when 3D modeling:

  • Anatomy and proportions

This is particularly important if the character looks like a person or a real animal.

  • Style and conception

It’s important for your design to fit with the general style of the game or film. For example, cartoon characters need different approaches than realistic characters.

  • Technical restrictions

Every game or application has performance limitations. The more high-resolution polygons and textures you have, the more resources it will require to process the model. As a result, it’s important to strike a balance between quality and efficiency.

What sets a 3D character apart from a 2D one?

There’s a significant difference between 3D and 2D characters, which can be seen in many aspects of game design and animation:

Aspect 3D 2D
Size and perspective The character is more solid and can be turned and examined from any angle. This allows you to create more realistic scenes with dynamic camera angles. The character is flat and is normally only viewed from one side. Additional sprites must be created to show different angles.
Animation Uses skeleton animation. You can produce a variety of animations from just a single model and rig. Each animation frame is normally drawn individually, which is more time-consuming.
Interaction with the environment The character can naturally interact with a 3D environment, cast shadows, and be seen in reflective surfaces. The character has limited interaction with the game environment, and what interaction they have often requires additional work from the artist.
Detail The level of detail can shift dynamically based on camera distance. The level of detail is fixed, which means quality can be lost if you zoom in.
Resource intensity Requires more computing power to render in real time. Is usually less demanding on computing power.
Flexibility of use One model can be used to produce a variety of perspectives, poses and animations. Each new angle or significant pose change often requires a new drawing to be made.
Style It’s easier to produce photorealistic characters, but it can be harder to produce stylized ones. Allows for more freedom in style and abstraction.

Building a 3D character from the concept stage to the final result 

Let’s break down the process of making a 3D character.

1. Creating a character concept

The concept is the foundations on which the entire character creation process is built. Without a clear, well-thought-out concept, the subsequent steps can be ineffective or even useless.

Creating a concept:

  • Do your research and build a reference bank. The first step is to search for and analyze images, artistic styles, characters and other elements that may inspire or help you to create your own unique image. The main thing to think about at this stage is who your character is: are they a hero, a villain, a side character, or just an NPC? You also need to think about the world the game is set in: is it fantastical, fantasy, post-apocalyptic, or realistic game world?
  • Sketching.After you build up a reference bank, it’s time to get sketching. This is where artists experiment with different appearances, poses, costumes, and accessories for the character. It’s a creative process where ideas take form on paper or screen.

Example of a sketch. Source

  • Deciding on key characteristics. This step is all about giving your design character and personality. What emotions do they have? How will they react to certain situations? All of this affects their appearance and behavior. For example, a hardened warrior will be muscular and have a serious expression, while a happy-go-lucky adventurer will have a more casual pose and wear bright clothes.
  • Working out the details. Once you’ve decided on your base sketch, it’s time to get down to the details. The artist now fills in the finer details, such as clothing textures, weapons, accessories, expressions, etc. What’s important to remember at this stage are the technical limitations of the game engine and the format in which the character will be made.

2. Modeling your character

Modeling is the process of creating a three-dimensional digital character from concept art. The result is a 3D model based on a flat image.

The different stages of modeling:

  • Blocking. This is the first step of modeling in a program. It’s when you form the general shape of a character from simple geometric structures (cubes, spheres, cylinders). This helps to establish their proportions and general composition. It’s important to stick to the concept art during this step to preserve the character’s main features.
  • Sculpting. After making the basic shape of the character, you can start the sculpting process, which is when you process your object and add anatomical details, such as muscles, folds on clothes, and skin textures. Tools are used during this stage to help produce surfaces, making them more detailed and realistic.
  • Retopology. This is the step where the model is optimized. The high-poly pieces made during the sculpting stage are too large to be used in a video game, which is where retopology comes in. Retopology is when the mesh is simplified to a more manageable polygon count while preserving the model’s external characteristics. This means the character will be far easier to animate and use in the game engine.

Example of retopology. Source

3. Texturing the character

Texturing allows the character to be more visually realistic and detailed, making them feel more alive and natural in the game world.

Texturing stages:

  • UV-unwrapping. This is when a 3D model is projected onto a 2D surface. It can be unwrapped and laid on a 2D surface like a sheet of paper, which then allows you to add textures without distortion.

UV-unwrapping. Source

  • Texturing. Next, the artist works on textures to add to the UV map. These can add basic colors, shadows, and glare, and they can even simulate materials such as metal, cloth, or skin. Textures can be made manually or through scanned real materials.

Example of texturing a character. Source

  • Working out the details. This is the stage where the finishing touches are added, with fine details like wrinkles, scratches, seams, and other elements that allow the model to look more realistic. Tools such as normal maps and specular maps can be used to give the model’s surface depth and texture.

4. Rigging and skinning

Rigging and skinning are the processes used in 3D modeling to prepare the design for animation. These stages allow the character to move and interact with the environment and other game objects.

Rigging and skinning stages:

  • Creating a skeleton. The first step of rigging in modeling is adding a skeleton to your character. This system of bones and joints will give your model structure and allow it to move. Bones are placed in places that need to move, such as the spine, joints, and fingers.
  • Binding your mesh to geometry. After the skeleton is made, it’s now time for skinning, which is the modeling process of binding your piece’s mesh to the bones. This allows their body to follow their skeleton’s movements. It’s also important for the character’s skin and muscles to move naturally without distorting.
  • Weight painting. This stage is when you assign the influence each bone has on its surrounding polygons. For example, the hip bone will have a greater influence on closer vertices than on ones that are further away. This allows your design to move smoothly and realistically when animated.

5. Animation 

This stage is where the character comes to life. It’s important for them to move smoothly and realistically so they fit into the game.

Animation stages:

  • Keyframes. The first step of animation is creating keyframes, which are frames that set the character’s main positions. For example, the beginning and end position of a movement. These frames are essential for further animation.
  • Movement interpolation. The program automatically calculates the in-between frames between the keyframes to allow the model to move smoothly. This process is called interpolation. However, it often requires manual adjustments to ensure the movement looks natural.
  • Working out the details. Next, we add the finer details, such as eye movements, facial expressions, and hand gestures. These elements help the character feel more alive and give them personality and emotions.

6. Rendering

This is the final stage of the character modeling visualization process. During this process, every modeling element—the geometry, textures, lighting, shadows, reflections, and transparency—is transformed into a 2D image that can be used in the game.

Rendering stages:

  • Lighting. Lighting helps to set the mood of a scene and highlight important character details. The artist chooses a light source, intensity, color, and direction to bring about their desired effect. It’s important to set the lighting to emphasize the model’s textures and shape.
  • Choosing an angle. Just like you do when you take a photograph, it’s important to choose the best angle to show off your character. Games often use a variety of camera angles, and rendering helps you to figure out how your character will look from different viewpoints.
  • Settings.When you render in modeling, you can choose the resolution, texture quality, level of detail, and effects (such as blur, depth of field, reflections, etc.). Which settings you choose depends on whether your image is for internal use or marketing materials.
  • Post-processing. When an image has been rendered, there are extra steps you can take to improve the quality. Post-processing is the time to add effects, tweak the color scheme, and add the finishing touches to your character to help them look as alive and striking as possible.

Rendering process. Source

7. Exporting your model to the game engine

The exporting stage is when you integrate your character into the game engine, where it becomes a part of the game world. This is one of the most important steps, since this is when you can see if your character will actually function in real game conditions.

Export stages:

  • Preparing the model to export. Before exporting your piece, it’s important to check that all textures, materials, and animations have been set correctly. The most common file formats are FBX and OBJ, as they’re supported by most game engines. It’s also important to check that your model is optimized and won’t overload the system during play.
  • Importing your model to the game engine. When everything’s ready, your model is imported into the game engine (such as Unity or Unreal Engine). This is when you can see to what extent your piece is compatible with the engine. Do the textures display correctly? Does the animation work? Has the lighting been set properly? It might be necessary to set shaders and materials at this stage to ensure the in-game character looks the same as the render.
  • Testing and correcting. You can now see your character interacting with other objects, its animations in different situations, and their reactions to different lighting conditions. This is often the point where final corrections are made to ensure the character fits into the game perfectly.

3D character modeling is a complicated process that requires skills in various fields, and an artist needs both an artistic flair and the technical know-how. Each stage is important and contributes towards the final result. Working on a character can take weeks or even months, but the living, interesting character that gamers can interact with is well worth the effort.

The best software available for 3D character modeling

3D characters can be created with:

  • Blender

Blender is a free, open-source 3D modeling software. It supports every aspect of 3D character modeling, from modeling and sculpting to animation and rendering. It’s regularly updated and has an active user community.

Blender’s interface. Source

Useful for: indie developers, smaller studios and beginners. It’s also suitable for beginners who are just getting started in 3D modeling.

  • Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya is the gold standard when it comes to complex 3D projects for the film and game industries. You’ll find tools for modeling, animation, texturing, rigging, and effects.

Maya’s interface. Source

Pricing: around $225/month.

Useful for: professional studios and experienced 3D artists.

  • ZBrush

ZBrush is a special software for digital sculptures that allows you to create highly detailed designs and organic shapes. It can be used for sculpting, texturing, retopology, and polishing.

Zbrush’s interface. Source

Pricing: around $895 (one-off cost).

Useful for: artists specializing in highly detailed characters.

  • 3ds Max

Another Autodesk product. 3ds Max is used in the gaming industry and for architectural visualization. Can be used for polygon modeling, rendering, animation, and effects. Integrates well with game engines.

3ds Max interface. Source

Pricing: around $225/month.

Useful for: gaming studios and artists who specialize in game assets.

At the end of the day, your choice of software is less important than your skills and creativity. Many professionals use a mix of the programs above to achieve the best results.

Pre-made 3D models

Where can you find pre-made models? 

Creating a 3D model from scratch is all well and good, but you may not always have the time or money to spare. That’s where pre-made 3D models come in. 

You can find them on special platforms, such as:

  • Unity Asset Store—a developer platform on Unity with a variety of engine-ready models. They’re easy to add to your project, and frequent sales mean you’ll never have to break the bank. However, you’ll find the most popular ones in a lot of different games, so be careful!
  • If you’re a fan of Unreal Engine, take a look at the Unreal Marketplace. Its offerings fit perfectly into engines, and you can find freebies every month. It has a bit less choice, but the quality makes up for it.
  • CGTrader is a huge 3D modeling sandbox. It has everything you could ever want, from cheap, basic pieces to complex, expensive offerings. You can even have ones made to order. The tradeoff for this is that the quality can vary wildly.
  • Hate buying a model if you can’t examine it from every angle? Then Sketchfab is the place for you. Sketchfab lets you turn each piece right there in your browser or even in VR. It’s the perfect option for artists who want to try out an object first. However, not all of them are suitable for games, so ensure you check the optimization.
  • TurboSquid is one of the largest 3D modeling platforms for purchasing and selling. It has pieces for all types of needs, from games and animations to architectural visualizations and ads. You can find both free and paid options. The platform’s quality guarantee also means you’ll be refunded if theproduct doesn’t match its description.
  • ArtStation Marketplace is a platform for the pros. The offerings here are often more expensive than on other sites, but they more than make up for it with the quality. You can message creators directly if you need some adjustments to be made. Plus, pre-made textures and renders are often included.

Choosing a pre-made model 

The first thing to do is check the polygon count. The lower the count, the faster the game will work. Ready rigs can save a lot of time on animation. Always check the license, as certain pieces can’t be used for commercial projects.

The model’s style should suit your game. It’s hard to picture a realistic character in a cartoon world, isn’t it? And don’t forget to take a look at the reviews. They sometimes highlight problems that may not be immediately apparent.

Pre-made models can be great for prototypes or smaller games. They save time and money. On the other hand, it’s often better to produce your own unique designs for large projects. They’ll be the face of your game, after all, and they’re what players will remember.

At the end of the day, the choice comes down to you. Whether you use pre-made options or produce your own, the main thing is that they help you to tell a story and make your game interesting.

3D modeling with the help of 3D artists 

If you want to create game characters from scratch, you’ll need 3D modelers. 

Here’s how to find them:

Freelance marketplaces

Freelance marketplaces are some of the best places to find professional artists to work on your projects. The most popular marketplaces are Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com.

Advantages:

  • You can hire artists for specific projects or even for just a few hours of work.
  • You can choose from thousands of freelancers from all over the world with different levels of experience and skills.
  • You can set a budget and find artists at whichever price suits you.

Things to keep in mind: Don’t forget to check freelancers’ portfolios, ratings, and customer reviews. Find out if they have experience with the styles or software you need.

Taking on a full-time employee

Hiring full-time employees is the solution for anyone who needs constant, long-term access to 3D artists. This option is better suited for large studios and long-term projects.

You can use LinkedIn, Indeed, or specialized sites like ArtStation and CGSociety to find the right candidates for you.

Advantages:

  • You’ll always have someone to hand who can work on projects at a moment’s notice.
  • It’s easier to manage the process and implement changes at any stage of the project.
  • The artist becomes a part of the team and gains a better understanding of the project.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing studios are companies that handle 3D characters and other game content. They do everything from concept art to the final animations.

For example, we at Inlingo create 2D and 3D characters, environments, objects, and animations. We also make location and icon designs, as well as other game elements.

Advantages:

  • Outsourcing studios strike the perfect balance between quality and cost.
  • They free up developer time for other tasks.
  • There’s less risk of being left with a poor result.

Which format gets the best results? 

It all depends on the project:

  • Freelancers are perfect for small or short-term projects when you need fast, relatively cheap work.
  • Employees are best for long-term projects that’ll require constant support and control over the development process.
  • Outsourcing studios are an ideal choice for complex projects that require both high quality and a multi-faceted approach. Studios often offer their services for a full production cycle, from the concept stage right up to game integration.

How much does it cost to build a character, and what affects the price?

The cost of designing a game character in 2024 can vary wildly based on the complexity and level of detail. The average price can be anywhere from $100 to $40,000.

What affects the price?

  • Character complexity. The more detailed and complex a character is, the more it will cost. Basic models are cheaper than complex ones with a high level of detail.
  • Designer experience. More experienced designers and famous studios normally charge more for their services.
  • Project types. Characters for big games with large budgets normally cost more than characters for indie projects.
  • Animation. 3D animation is more expensive than 2D because of its complexity. If a character requires a complex animation, the price will increase correspondingly.
  • Designer location. The price can also depend on the region. For example, designers might charge $80-100/hour in North America, $40-50/hour in Eastern Europe, and $20-40/hour in India and Pakistan.

Pricing examples:

  • 2D characters. The price can depend on the style and on the level of detail. Basic characters can cost between $100 and $1,000, while more detailed, realistic characters will set you back $1,500 to $3,000.
  • 3D characters. The cost of 3D modeling starts off at $2,000 for basic designs and can go as high as $6,000 and more for complex, detailed characters with animations.

Frequently asked questions

What are some options for creating a 3D character from scratch?

You can produce a 3D character in a variety of different ways: 

  • If you want to make a character yourself from scratch, use software like Blender, Maya or ZBrush. Blender, for example, is free and a great choice for beginners. You can use it for modeling and animating characters and for adding details.
  • If you think 3D modeling is too complicated, or you don’t have much time, use pre-made models. You can buy or download them for free on platforms like Unity Asset Store, CGTrader, Sketchfab, TurboSquid.
  • If you have your sights set on a professional result but aren’t prepared to work your way up to it yourself, you can find artists on freelance sites, hire professional artists, or outsource your art to another company

How long does it take?

The length of time it takes to create a 3D design depends on the complexity of the character and the project requirements.

The main steps tend to take:

  • Concept art: 1-2 weeks.
  • Modeling: 2-4 weeks.
  • Topology and retopology: 1-2 weeks.
  • Texturing: 1-2 weeks.
  • Rigging: 1-3 weeks.
  • Animation: 2-4 weeks.

The length of a job depends on:

  • The level of detail.
  • Texture and animation complexity.
  • Developer experience.
  • Character style (realistic or stylized).
  • The number of edits and changes during the process.

What’s the best software for building 3D character?

There are several programs that are popular choices for 3D modeling:

  • Blender is a free, universal tool. 
  • Maya is the industry standard and is perfect for complex projects. 
  • ZBrush is a program that can be used to create detailed pieces, especially for organic shapes. 
  • 3ds Max is a program for modeling and rendering that’s often used in the gaming industry.