How to Auto-Rig Your 3D Character for FREE with Mixamo
If you’re looking for a fast and hassle-free way to rig your 3D character, Mixamo is your go-to solution. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced 3D artist, this free online tool makes rigging simple—no manual weight painting, no complex setups, just upload, adjust, and download. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process step by step.
What is Mixamo?
Mixamo, by Adobe, is a free online platform that allows you to automatically rig 3D characters and apply pre-made animations. It’s a game-changer for indie game developers, animators, and hobbyists looking for a quick rigging solution.
Why Use Mixamo for Auto-Rigging?
- Free to use – No cost, no subscriptions.
- Fast and easy – Upload your model, adjust markers, and get a fully rigged character in minutes.
- Compatible with most 3D software – Works with Blender, Maya, Unity, Unreal Engine, and more.
- Built-in animations – Apply Mixamo’s motion capture animations instantly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Auto-Rigging with Mixamo
Step 1: Prepare Your 3D Model
Before uploading, make sure your character model is in FBX or OBJ format and is in a neutral pose (T-pose or A-pose works best). If your model has multiple parts, consider merging them into a single mesh to avoid issues.
Step 2: Upload to Mixamo
- Go to Mixamo.com and sign in (or create a free Adobe account if you don’t have one).
- Click the Upload Character button and select your 3D model.
- Wait for the upload to process, then proceed to the Auto-Rigger.
Step 3: Adjust Auto-Rigger Markers
- Mixamo will ask you to place markers for the chin, wrists, elbows, knees, and groin.
- Carefully position them to match your character’s anatomy.
- Click Next and let Mixamo process the rigging.
Step 4: Download Your Rigged Character
- Once the rigging is complete, preview the skeleton and test some animations.
- Click Download, choose FBX (for most 3D software) or OBJ, and save it to your computer.
What’s Next?
Now that you have a fully rigged character, you can import it into Blender, Unreal Engine, Unity, or any other 3D software. You can also apply Mixamo’s built-in animations to bring your character to life instantly.
If you found this guide helpful, be sure to check out my YouTube tutorial where I walk through this process step by step: youtube.com/@1MorePush 🚀
For more tutorials and 3D tips, visit my blog at NicWhiteVideo.com/Blog. Have questions? Drop a comment below!
Happy rigging! 🎨✨
