GDC: New web-based character creation tool launches

Darwin Dimensions has launched an upgraded version of its Evolver 3D character creation software.

Evolver Pro offers consumers pre-built character designs and fully customisable models for video games and social networking sites, all via a web browser interface.

As part of a promotional push for the software, a 50 per cent discount on single character models is being offered to clients during GDC week.

Evolver Pro allows users to build charcters based on photographs or designed from a library of upwards of 1000 preset characters. Manipulation of all character features is possible, and finished designs can be exported in specular maps, normal maps, texture maps, blendshapes and body and facial rigs to begin animation.

Custom facial and body animation rigs are also produced within Evolver Pro to allow for animation via motion capture or keyframe animation in any available off-the-shelf animation packages.

"Enabling the world’s 3D professionals and animation students with a dedicated website became on obvious choice for us,” said Darwin Dimensions CEO Brian Nilles.

“Most users have told us that they can barely believe that a web service can enable them to create and rig a character in just minutes – an effort which normally takes professionals weeks or sometimes even months. EvolverPro also positions us to roll out a great deal of advanced functionality targeted exclusively to our professional user base," he added