Create and Animate AI Avatars in Unreal Engine 5 with Mid-Journey

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Inviting the Mid-Journey Bot to Your Server
3. Creating a Prompt in Mid-Journey
4. Generating an Ai Avatar in Mid-Journey
5. Upscaling and Saving the Generated Avatar
6. Removing the Background in Photoshop
7. Importing the Avatar in DaVinci Resolve
8. Keying Out the Green Screen in DaVinci Resolve
9. Exporting the Video from DaVinci Resolve
10. Importing the Video in Unreal Engine 5
11. Adding the Avatar to the Level Sequencer in Unreal Engine 5
12. Adjusting the Aspect Ratio and Camera Position
13. Animating the Avatar in Unreal Engine 5
14. Changing the Brightness and Contrast of the Avatar in Unreal Engine 5
15. Finalizing the Animation in Unreal Engine 5
16. Conclusion

🌟 How to Generate an AI Avatar and Animate it in Unreal Engine 5

Are you curious about how to create an AI-generated avatar and bring it to life in Unreal Engine 5? In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of generating an AI avatar using Mid-Journey, animating it with did, and rendering it in Unreal Engine 5's sequencer. Let's dive in!

Introduction

Before we begin, let's briefly introduce the tools we'll be using. Mid-Journey is a platform that allows you to generate AI avatars, while did helps in animating these avatars. Finally, Unreal Engine 5's sequencer is used for rendering and animating the avatar in a virtual environment.

Inviting the Mid-Journey Bot to Your Server

To start using Mid-Journey, you'll need to invite the Mid-Journey bot to your server on Discord. This ensures that you only see the images related to your prompts. Simply go to the Newbie Channel, find the Mid-Journey bot, invite it to your server, and authorize it. This way, you can generate avatars specific to your needs.

Creating a Prompt in Mid-Journey

Once the Mid-Journey bot is in your server, it's time to create a prompt. There are various ways to create a prompt, but for simplicity, let's start with a basic one. Use keywords like "imagine," "realistic," and "cinematic" to generate an AI avatar of your choice. Make sure to choose an avatar with a clear separation between the backdrop and the character itself.

Generating an AI Avatar in Mid-Journey

After creating the prompt, Mid-Journey will generate an AI avatar for you. You can browse through the generated avatars and choose the one that best suits your needs. It's essential to select an avatar with clear facial features and minimal obstructions like hair covering the face. Once you find the perfect avatar, upscale its resolution if necessary and save it for further processing.

Removing the Background in Photoshop

To remove the background of the avatar and prepare it for animation, you'll need to use Photoshop. Open the avatar in Photoshop and duplicate the image layer. Then, remove the original background to create a clear separation between the avatar and the backdrop. Create a new layer below the avatar and fill it with a green color to simulate a green screen effect. Finally, save the edited avatar as a PNG file.

Importing the Avatar in DaVinci Resolve

Next, import the edited avatar into DaVinci Resolve, a powerful video editing software. Drag and drop the avatar into the editing timeline and apply the necessary effects to key out the green screen. Adjust the settings like exposure and color correction to ensure the avatar blends seamlessly with the desired background.

Exporting the Video from DaVinci Resolve

Once you've finished editing the avatar in DaVinci Resolve, export the video file. Choose the desired format and resolution, making sure to include the alpha channel to preserve transparency. Export the video and save it for further use in Unreal Engine 5.

Importing the Video in Unreal Engine 5

In Unreal Engine 5, create a new project and import the exported video file. Enable the required plugins for working with image sequences and create a media source for the video. Drag and drop the media source into the scene to display the avatar on a plane.

Adding the Avatar to the Level Sequencer in Unreal Engine 5

To animate the avatar in Unreal Engine 5, add it to the Level Sequencer. Create a new sequence and add the avatar to the timeline. Adjust the camera position, aspect ratio, and focus distance to frame the avatar properly and create a dynamic animation.

Adjusting the Aspect Ratio and Camera Position

Fine-tune the aspect ratio and camera position to ensure the avatar looks natural within the scene. Adjust the framing, depth of field, and other camera settings to enhance the visual aesthetics of the animation. Experiment with different settings to achieve the desired look and feel.

Animating the Avatar in Unreal Engine 5

Once the avatar is properly positioned and framed, it's time to animate it. Utilize the timeline and keyframes to bring the avatar to life. Add movement, expressions, and gestures to make the animation realistic and engaging. Take advantage of Unreal Engine 5's advanced capabilities to create stunning and dynamic animations.

Changing the Brightness and Contrast of the Avatar in Unreal Engine 5

If you want to adjust the brightness and contrast of the avatar, you can easily do so in Unreal Engine 5. Access the avatar's material and make changes to the color correction settings. Increase or decrease the exposure, adjust the contrast, and fine-tune the color balance to achieve the desired visual result.

Finalizing the Animation in Unreal Engine 5

Once you're satisfied with the animation, finalize it by fine-tuning various details and adding any additional effects or enhancements. Test the animation playback to ensure smooth and impactful results. Make any necessary adjustments to perfect the overall presentation of the avatar.

Conclusion

In conclusion, generating an AI avatar and animating it in Unreal Engine 5 is an exciting and creative process. By utilizing tools like Mid-Journey, did, Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve, and Unreal Engine 5, you can create stunning animations that captivate your audience. Explore the possibilities and unleash your creativity with the power of AI-generated avatars and cutting-edge animation techniques.

🚀 Resources:

• Mid-Journey: mid-journey.com
• Unreal Engine: unrealengine.com
• DaVinci Resolve: blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve