Create Custom Meta Human DNA Asset for ANY Skeletal Mesh and Bone Hierarchy

MetaHuman DNA is not just for MetaHumans. Mesh Morpher can create a custom DNA asset for any skeletal mesh with any bone hierarchy - your own characters, creatures, even props with faces - giving them the same expression system, rig logic and toolchain compatibility that stock MetaHumans enjoy.

Why give a custom character DNA

The DNA format is the interchange point of the MetaHuman ecosystem: Unreal Engine, Maya, Houdini and a growing set of tools read and write it. A character with a DNA asset can use DNA-aware pipelines for expressions and animation - and tools like Mesh Morpher can edit its expressions at the bone level exactly as they do for MetaHumans.

The workflow

1. Load your skeletal mesh - any topology, any skeleton. It does not need MetaHuman bones or naming.
2. Select the bones you want to participate in MetaHuman-style expressions in your DNA asset.
3. Customize the bone expressions - define how those bones move for each expression, or generate the movements from sculpted morph targets.
4. Export the DNA asset and use it in engine or any DNA-aware DCC.

The tutorial videos demonstrate the process end to end:

▶ Watch the video on YouTube

▶ Watch the video on YouTube

▶ Watch the video on YouTube

Tips

• Start with the bones that matter. You do not need to wire every bone - select the ones expressions actually move (jaw, lids, brows on a face, for example) and grow from there.
• Test in a DNA-aware tool. Loading the exported DNA in Maya or Houdini verifies the asset is valid outside your project.
• Combine with topology editing. Once your character has DNA, custom DNA topology in Mesh Morpher Graph lets you evolve the mesh and keep the asset valid.

Tools used

Custom DNA creation ships in Mesh Morpher Classic and Mesh Morpher Studio; the topology side lives in Mesh Morpher Graph. Reference: MetaHuman DNA documentation.