Tutorial: Importing Makehuman Model into Blender

Posted onAuthoradmin2 Comments

Makehuman is a free, open source application that can be used to greatly facilitate the process of 3D modeling and crafting digital human figures.
Makehuman models can be imported into Blender 3D via the MHX2 format.

As of this writing, in order to do that, there are 3 steps required:

1. Installing MHX2 addon in Blender
2. Installing MHX2 export plugin in Makehuman
3. Exporting Makehuman model to Blender

Step 1: Installing MHX2 addon in Blender

Firstly, the MHX2 addon must be installed in Blender.
The addon is included in the zip file named as Diffeomorphic-mhx2-makehuman-exchange. You might want to do a Google search to find the current download location for this file.
Unzip the file. Copy the folder ‘import_runtme_mhx2’ to the addons folder of the Blender directory.

Now, we can install the addon. Run Blender and go to File >> User Preference. Tab to Addons >> Makehuman. Tick in the corresponding check box to enable Import Runtime: Makehuman Exchange 2 (.mhx2).

In the Blender User Preference section, go to File Section and enable Autorun Python Scripts. Click Save User setting and exit.

Step 2: Installing the MHX2 option in Makehuman

In the Makehuman software application, the model have be exported as a Blender Exchange (Mhx2) format file.
However, as of this writing the export plugin for MHX2 is not included in the official build of Makehuman 1.10.
The plugin is, however, included in the zip file Diffeomorphic-mhx2-makehuman-exchange.

Unzip the file. Copy the folder 9_export_mhx2 to the Makehuman’s Plugin folder.

Step 3: Exporting Makehuman model to Blender

In Makehuman, go to Files>> Export >> Mesh Format. Select Blender Exchange (.Mhx2).

In Blender, go to Toolshelf >> MHX2 Runtime. Click Import MHX2.

Note: For importing a more complete model that can be rigged with IK and FK as well as having facial animation capability, enable Override Export Data.

Select Base and check the options where appropriate.
Rig Type: Export MHX.
The 3D model should come in nicely.

Below is a video of an Makehuman model imported and animated in Blender using the above mention process.

Hope this article is useful for the creation of digital human character.

2 thoughts on “Tutorial: Importing Makehuman Model into Blender”

  1. Thanks a lot ,for sharing that info.However with all respect, I’ve downloaded the newest version of Blender, and, …Unfortunately this section, doesn’t appear to apply,Your correction’ll be appreciated, Here’s a pasted copy of yours quote(if I’m wrong,kindly please correct me) Step 3: Exporting Makehuman model to Blender

    In Blender, go to Files >> Mesh Format. Select Blender Exchange (.Mhx2).

    In Blender, go to Toolshelf >> MHX2 Runtime. Click Import MHX2.

    Note: For importing a more complete model that can be rigged with IK and FK as well as having facial animation capability, enable Override Export Data.Thanks in advance

  2. Hi Ityel Biletzky,

    Thanks so much for informing. I have made the corrections. 🙂

    Best regards

    Sim

Comments are closed.