Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Would you like to be able to create your own 3D character for your video game? In this video tutorial, I'll show you how to go through the full process of creating a video game character, from modelling and texturing using Maya, through to rigging and animation and finally to setting the the character and logic in Unreal Engine 4.
Note: Although this exercise was created using Unreal Engine 4, everything works identically in Unreal Engine 5.
RESOURCES
Get the asset pack (textures, scene files etc.) for this tutorial here: gum.co/HEKCQ
GET HELP
Need some help? Check out the frequently asked questions here: docs.google.com/document/d/1QULCSF1Ia_EILt11BvAeHN-p660eeP-juFVPkW1awrk/edit?usp=sharing
Or ask for help in the video comments. You can also get help in the Game Dev Academy Discord Server (see link below).
OTHER VERSIONS
Long Version: youtu.be/7LgQKFOLzlM
Chapters: youtube.com/watch?v=RiMml8ajjlE&list=PLsPHRLf6UN4kY7xEfrXO1T0S5_VzJYMPv
Step by step: youtube.com/watch?v=BRM7p0cbfWI&list=PLsPHRLf6UN4meqx3Jg-QhhIs_078Q_n-x
MAYA TUTORIAL FOR BEGINNERS
This tutorial assumes some basic knowledge of how to use Maya. If you are not yet confident using Maya you should complete my beginners tutorial first - youtu.be/tZieJcA5vf0
UNREAL ENGINE 4 TUTORIAL FOR BEGINNERS
It's useful to know a little about Unreal Engine 4 to get the most out of this tutorial. Click here for my Unreal Engine 4 for Beginners tutorial - youtu.be/a0qNO6_xPx0
GET MAYA FOR FREE
You will need a copy of Maya in order to complete this Maya tutorial. Click here to learn how to download Maya for free - youtu.be/xepQVgCoiwc
PATREON
Want to support my work and become a Game Dev Academy governor? Then check out the Patreon page & come and join us! ►► patreon.com/shanewhittington
DISCORD
♥ Join the Game Dev Academy Discord & get sorted into your Game Dev Academy house! - bit.ly/GDAdiscord ♥
LEARN MORE
Check out the Maya Core Skills learning pathway on Pluralsight here to get a 10 day free trial (affiliate link): pluralsight.pxf.io/dQvaM
MORE TUTORIALS FROM ME
Blender tutorial for beginners: youtu.be/LYQTjm-gJlg
UV Mapping in Maya: youtu.be/fbb7y2Ne-Pg
Unreal Engine 4 for Beginners: youtu.be/a0qNO6_xPx0
Creating Your First Game in Unreal Engine 4: youtu.be/icR_EgXrS6o
MY PC SPECS (Affiliate links)
CPU: amzn.to/30PEy7E
GPU: amzn.to/2PPbnve
Motherboard: amzn.to/30RfX21
RAM: amzn.to/3fPxLz7
PSU: amzn.to/2PN6bYL
Case: amzn.to/3fSh0TT
Keyboard: amzn.to/30PLfGM
Monitor: amzn.to/2PQyl4S
BOOKMARKS
Introduction 00:00
Set up the project 02:44
Model the torso 08:30
Model the head 16:27
Model the hips 21:12
Model the arm 28:18
Model the leg 48:57
Complete the modelling 59:50
Add materials to the character 1:13:08
Add the face material using textures 1:18:44
Rigging 1: Add a skeleton 1:24:42
Rigging 2: Add the control rig 1:36:15
Animate an idle cycle 1:47:56
Animate a walk cycle 2:08:13
Animate a run cycle 2:45:51
Animate a jump 3:16:57
Export the character & animations from Maya 3:21:14
Import character into Unreal Engine 4 3:28:10
Create a 1D Blendspace 3:41:21
Create animation blueprint 3:44:25
Create character blueprint 3:54:31
Make character playable by creating a game mode 4:01:59
Tweak & polish the character 4:05:42
Conclusion 4:13:20
Would you like to be able to create your own 3D character for your video game? In this video tutorial, I'll show you how to go through the full process of creating a video game character, from modelling and texturing using Maya, through to rigging and animation and finally to setting the the character and logic in Unreal Engine 4.
Note: Although this exercise was created using Unreal Engine 4, everything works identically in Unreal Engine 5.
RESOURCES
Get the asset pack (textures, scene files etc.) for this tutorial here: gum.co/HEKCQ
GET HELP
Need some help? Check out the frequently asked questions here: docs.google.com/document/d/1QULCSF1Ia_EILt11BvAeHN-p660eeP-juFVPkW1awrk/edit?usp=sharing
Or ask for help in the video comments. You can also get help in the Game Dev Academy Discord Server (see link below).
OTHER VERSIONS
Long Version: youtu.be/7LgQKFOLzlM
Chapters: youtube.com/watch?v=RiMml8ajjlE&list=PLsPHRLf6UN4kY7xEfrXO1T0S5_VzJYMPv
Step by step: youtube.com/watch?v=BRM7p0cbfWI&list=PLsPHRLf6UN4meqx3Jg-QhhIs_078Q_n-x
MAYA TUTORIAL FOR BEGINNERS
This tutorial assumes some basic knowledge of how to use Maya. If you are not yet confident using Maya you should complete my beginners tutorial first - youtu.be/tZieJcA5vf0
UNREAL ENGINE 4 TUTORIAL FOR BEGINNERS
It's useful to know a little about Unreal Engine 4 to get the most out of this tutorial. Click here for my Unreal Engine 4 for Beginners tutorial - youtu.be/a0qNO6_xPx0
GET MAYA FOR FREE
You will need a copy of Maya in order to complete this Maya tutorial. Click here to learn how to download Maya for free - youtu.be/xepQVgCoiwc
PATREON
Want to support my work and become a Game Dev Academy governor? Then check out the Patreon page & come and join us! ►► patreon.com/shanewhittington
DISCORD
♥ Join the Game Dev Academy Discord & get sorted into your Game Dev Academy house! - bit.ly/GDAdiscord ♥
LEARN MORE
Check out the Maya Core Skills learning pathway on Pluralsight here to get a 10 day free trial (affiliate link): pluralsight.pxf.io/dQvaM
MORE TUTORIALS FROM ME
Blender tutorial for beginners: youtu.be/LYQTjm-gJlg
UV Mapping in Maya: youtu.be/fbb7y2Ne-Pg
Unreal Engine 4 for Beginners: youtu.be/a0qNO6_xPx0
Creating Your First Game in Unreal Engine 4: youtu.be/icR_EgXrS6o
MY PC SPECS (Affiliate links)
CPU: amzn.to/30PEy7E
GPU: amzn.to/2PPbnve
Motherboard: amzn.to/30RfX21
RAM: amzn.to/3fPxLz7
PSU: amzn.to/2PN6bYL
Case: amzn.to/3fSh0TT
Keyboard: amzn.to/30PLfGM
Monitor: amzn.to/2PQyl4S
BOOKMARKS
Introduction 00:00
Set up the project 02:44
Model the torso 08:30
Model the head 16:27
Model the hips 21:12
Model the arm 28:18
Model the leg 48:57
Complete the modelling 59:50
Add materials to the character 1:13:08
Add the face material using textures 1:18:44
Rigging 1: Add a skeleton 1:24:42
Rigging 2: Add the control rig 1:36:15
Animate an idle cycle 1:47:56
Animate a walk cycle 2:08:13
Animate a run cycle 2:45:51
Animate a jump 3:16:57
Export the character & animations from Maya 3:21:14
Import character into Unreal Engine 4 3:28:10
Create a 1D Blendspace 3:41:21
Create animation blueprint 3:44:25
Create character blueprint 3:54:31
Make character playable by creating a game mode 4:01:59
Tweak & polish the character 4:05:42
Conclusion 4:13:20
