Making a Custom Avatar for Marvelous Designer

Older versions of Marvelous Designer had a neat feature where you could change the shape of the Avatar (a 3D model of a human or other character). However, this made MD software very similar to the CLO3D one they sell to the fashion industry and which costs a ton more, so unfortunately, the company took out this feature.

We all hope they soon return it!

This leaves the 3D artists with a problem to solve:

How to Resize the Proportion of an Avatar in MD6?

Apart from using a software tool like CLO3D – if you can afford it (they have Clo Atelier which is limited in some features, compared to CLO3D Enterprise, and is for freelancers and students as well as small business with no more than 30 employees), the only current solution we know of, is to use some 3rd party tool like one of the ones in the list below, though they are not integrated with MD to enable you to dynamically alter the Avatar in MD itself:

1. BodyLabs –  Interesting solution for when you need to create accurate real-life measurements for an Avatar. Body models are created using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms that reference third-party 3D body scans or physical measurements to accurately digitize body shape. The BodyLabs human body models are built using artificial intelligence, having been trained on thousands of 3D laser scans ranging across all human poses, to deliver the most accurate 3D digital body shape in the industry. This enables them to efficiently use third-party scanning hardware or basic measurements to process precise 3D digital body models that correctly represent an individual or population of users. Perhaps you can 3d scan the person with a smartphone. They offer PAY AS YOU GO – $2 per measurement set (however, if you do not use their solution for an online store, as it is actually meant to be, you have each month the first 5,000 measurements for free!).
2. Manuellab – Manuel Bastioni Laboratory is a free set of advanced tools to turn Blender into a powerful laboratory for characters creation. With few clicks in Blender 3D you can create human characters, set the phenotypes, modify physical parameters, assign expression and choose the Avatar’s pose. The 3D Models include a standard skeleton with a well-tested rigging for most external applications and motion capture files. The skeleton is auto-fitted to morphings, without needing of geometry helpers. Download it here. Watch an 8 minute video on fitting a 2D reference image to a 3D model in a few short minutes using this solution:
   
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy-FNMjiPf0
3. MakeHuman – a free basic 3D model creator (but the human Avatar generated here is not rigged, so that’s a pain). Makehuman is an open-source 3D computer graphics software middleware designed for the prototyping of photo-realistic humanoids.
4. iClone – Character Creator (CC) is a cool FREE add-on tool for iClone 6 that can create realistic looking, rigged and animation-ready 3D human characters for use with iClone and other 3D tools. Unique character designs are created through the use of shape morphs, customizable high-resolution skin textures, and outfits with clothing containing your own fabric designs. (but not for real-life measurements). iClone is a top software but is not free.
5. Daz3D – the DAZ Genesis 3 technology provides superior control, articulation, movement, gender specific sculpting and HD Morphing technology. Genesis 3 empowers 2D and 3D artists with an unprecedented level of customization and detail. (you can import an Avatar into MD from DAZ studio as a collada or best OBJ file format, but the avatar measurement in Daz is not editable and you cannot type in real-world sizes). DAZ studio is a free software with a basic avatar – they make money from all hair and other accessories. In Renderosity.com you can purchase a large variety of poses and accessories for DAZ models, often for less.
   See this video tutorial on How to Fit a Marvelous Designer Dress to a Tiny Avatar – Avatar was morphed in DAZ. 
6. Poser – Poser delivers the power of interactive 3D figure design, offering infinite opportunities to portray human diversity, form and expression. It is superior to DAZ3D but not free as DAZ is, though Poser Pro 11 is a solution for creating art and animation with 3D characters and includes over 5 GB of human and animal figures and 3D elements.
7. Fuse by Mixamo/ Adobe – A modular 3D character creator with an auto-rigger for making 3D characters that fit into your 3D asset pipeline. Enables to make an adjustment to a mesh or body type and Fuse instantly morphs and refits the clothing and textures to the new shape.  (same as for DAZ 3D – you cannot adjust the Avatar in MD). Not a free software.
8. Wrap – costs $370 and has a 2 week free trial period. WrapX is highly customizable analog of Wrap that provides Python API, Python Module and command line interface which makes it easier to integrate it into production pipeline.WrapX is used to automate the processing of hundreds of scans. However, the current set of WrapX functionality is slightly outdated comparing to Wrap3, which is the most recent Wrap version.Here’s a free Marvelous Designer Vimeo Tutorial on how to extract a standard Marvelous Designer avatar, wrap it around a 3D-scan and import it back, while recalculating underlying skeleton and skinning, so that the custom avatar represents a body shape of the real person scanned while preserving all the features of a standard avatar like cloth arrangement, pose changing and animation.

Do you know of any other method of changing the size and measurements of an Avatar in Marvelous Designer software? Have you done this and can help others? Please leave your comment below and if you have a tutorial on customizing avatars in Marvelous Designer or on the workflow you use for changing an Avatar’s size, do let us Elves and friends of Elves know! You mayalso place a link to your video showing the process in your comment! Thanks!