Menu
RenderGuide.com
  • About
RenderGuide.com
Daz to Unreal Bridge Tutorial

Daz to Unreal Bridge Tutorial [2022]

It’s Finally Here! Daz3D has released a new tool called “Daz To Unreal Bridge” here. It is a cross-platform plugin who makes our process to import models from Daz to Unreal Engine way easier. Now we can leave that rough effort trying to export anything from Daz and we will learn how to do it in this tutorial!

This Daz To Unreal Bridge Tutorial will teach you how to install this plugin and use it to export assets and animations from Daz to Unreal Engine 4, once you have finished this tutorial you will have a playable character in UE4 directly from Daz!

So, let’s move on!

Installation Process Daz To Unreal Bridge

Installing Daz Studio

If you have not installed Daz Studio yet here’s a link. Once Daz Studio is installed we will install the Daz to Unreal plugin found here. You have to “Buy it” for free, after the product is in your account, you can check your new plugin in the Daz Central Hub.

daz studio installation

Inside the DazStudio>Plugins you can find every plugin you have for Daz

plugin location

Installing Unreal Engine 4

Before the installation of the plugin, you must have Unreal Engine in its latest version installed(Actually 4.25.3), You can download UE4 in the Epic Games Launcher you must have an account to continue.

unreal engine download page

Submit any of these two options, once you finish a new download will start, install the file.

This is the Epic Games Launcher

epic games launcher

Once the launcher is installed, go to Unreal Engine Section

unreal engine launcher section

Select Library, click on the + to add a new version of UE4, in this case i’m working with version 4.25.3(The latest version)

unreal engine installation

Installing Daz to Unreal Bridge Plugin

After Installing Daz Central, Daz Studio and Unreal Engine, we must proceed with the plugin installation.

You can find your plugin inside DazStudio>Plugin in the DazCentral Hub

plugin before install

Click on install, it will ask you for the UE4 location, link the same location where you installed UE4. In my case is in Z>Program Files>Epic Games>UE_4.25

plugin ue4 location
ue4 location

Creating A New Unreal Project

After the installation of Unreal Engine and DazStudio+UE4 Plugin has finished

We can proceed creating a new project for UE4.

For testing we will start using a Blank project, Click Next.

new project started

Leave it the way it was, Select a Path for your project, name it and Click Create Project

new project setting


Setting Up The Project

Before we can continue, we need to activate the DazToUnreal Plugin.

new project initialized

Go to Edit>Plugins

ue4 plugin section

A new window will PopUp, Go to Installed>Importers and Check the Enabled box

Now restart your project.

ue4 plugin project installation

Exporting the Daz 3dModel

In Daz we can pick our props and characters to be port to Unreal Engine, in this tutorial i will work with this Model

daz3d character model

Setting Up The Model

Here’s my model in Daz and for this tutorial i will show you how to setup poses and animations

daz studio character

This is the pose i will select to work with

daz studio character pose

Export Character Using the Daz3D to Unreal Bridge

Once everything is setup, Select the model then we will go to File>Send To>Daz To Unreal

daz to unreal location

A New menu will show up.

This window has different export options that I will explain.

First name your asset so you can find it

daz to unreal menu
  • Asset Type

We can set up if we want an animation, Static Mesh or a Skeletal Mesh.

Select Skeletal Mesh since it is a rigged object

asset type skeletal mesh
  • Morphs Targets

We can also select if we want some Morphs Target, these are deformed versions of the model that can give access to certains animations

morphs check

For this model, i will export it with the Head Expressions Morphs

morphs section
  • Subdivisions

Here you can set how many subdivisions you want in the model, I do not recommend using this option since it duplicates the Vert Count of the model.

If you want more definition based on geometry, you can get as many subdivisions the model has.

subdivisions check
subdivisions panel

Everything is set up, we can proceed with exporting the model. 

Before you click Accept, be sure you have opened the UE4 project we just created.

Exporting Daz3D Props & Environment

We can also export props or environment objects. I will use the MaterialBall as example

static mesh export

Open the Daz To Unreal, Select Static Mesh since this is a 3d model without a rig

daz to unreal static mesh

Unreal Engine FBX Import of Daz Character

Once you have clicked Accept and it finished exporting, the project will automatically import the assets.

ue4 auto import

Now we can see our character with her pose and our Static_Mesh are in the project.

Open the Skeletal_Mesh(The pink lined object)

static mesh inside ue4
skeletal mesh inside ue4

A new window will open, here you can see how your Character from Daz is looking in Unreal Engine.

character ue4 visualized

Morphs Targets In UE4

Inside the Skeletal Mesh window, at the top right you can see the Morphs Targets we exported the model with.

ue4 character morphs

Materials Setup

We can also modify the materials of each asset we imported; each model has his own material folder; we can spot them by the dark green color line. In this case I will modify the hair Material to change its color.

ue4 character materials

Now, inside the Material window at the right panel we can modify each parameter, i will modify the diffuse color by clicking the color next to the name.

ue4 material window
ue4 material modified
character with new material

Fixing Props Issues

You may find props out of parenting who don’t follow the animations.

Here’s a fix for this issue

prop issue

In DazStudio, in the Scene window we must find the prop we want to fix

prop inside dazstudio

Click on the top corner button in the Scene box, go to Assets>Transfer Utility…

transfer utility menu

A new window will show up. 

  • In the Source section, select the main model as Scene Item
  • In the Target section, select the prop you want to fix as target
prop transfer panel

Repeat this process for each prop that you find with this issue

Re-Import the Character and the error is fixed.

prop issue fixed

Character Fixed inside the UE4 visualizer.

Re-Import Asset

dazstudio model editing

You may find some errors or something you want to change in the model you exported. 

In DazStudio do every change you want on your character, i changed the pose and growed her hair, once you have finished editing repeat the Export Character process using the same name you used before

Remember to keep your UE4 project open.

Once the character is re-imported, Unreal will automatically import and will ask you if you want to override the assets.

Say Yes All to every message.

ue4 reimport replace

When the process is finished, we right click the Skeletal_Mesh of the model and click Reimport. Repeat with the pose Animation

ue4 reimport settings
character edited ue4

Import Animations from Daz into Unreal

Now we can proceed with animations, i did a simple animation for this tutorial

dazstudio character animation

Repeat the Export process, but we will select Animation as Asset type

Remember to have your UE4 Project opened.

daz to unreal animation export
animation inside ue4
animation visualized

Setting UE4 Character with Daz Character

Now we will do the workflow with retargeting animations and setting up our Daz Character as a playable character.

We will create a new project, select the Third Person template, select the project location, name it and create the project.

ue4 third person project

We will repeat the plugin setup since this is a new project.

third person first looking

Now, we want to have access to the Daz To Unreal plugin folder because we will modify the Daz skeleton, down right in the content folder is a View Options menu, Check the Show Engine Content and Show Plugin Content boxes.

plugin and engine content folder

Character Model Setup

Export from Daz, once exported the file will be imported automatically in the project.

character import to ue4 third person project
character inside ue4 third person project

Open the Skeletal Mesh, inside the skeletal mesh you will find a Skeleton Object. Click it.

locating the character skeleton

A new window will open, this is the skeleton window here you can edit the rig of the model.

But in this case we will set the Preview Mesh as our Character mesh, this is necessary if you want to retarget animations.

An alert window will show up, click apply asset.

applying mesh to skeleton

UE4 Mannequin Skeleton setup 

Now we will set up the character skeleton, you can find it inside the Mannequin>Character>Mesh folder. Open the Skeleton

ue4 mannequin skeleton editing

Inside the Retarget Manager(If isn’t visible go to Window>Retarget Manager to open that up)

Open the Select Rig drop down menu and select Humanoid Rig, this will recognize the main bones of each character, so the retarget animation will be more precise as both has the same Rig

mannequin ue4 rig setup

Retargeting Animations

Everything is set, now we can retarget the animations, inside the Mannequin>Animations folder we will find the ThirdPerson_AnimBP, Right click on it>Retarget Anim Blueprints and Duplicate Anim Blueprints and Retarget.

animation blueprint retargeting

Select the Genesis8BaseSkeleton, since it is our character skeleton, and click on retarget.

This will retarget all the animations inside the AnimBP with our skeleton

target skeleton selected

Rename the new Animations so you will not confuse yourself.

retargeted animation rename

Unreal Player Setup

Now with the animations retargeted we will click on our Player in the level

player in project selection

At the right side of the engine you can see the Details panel, Replace the animation class with your new Anim_bp and replace the Skeletal mesh with your character Skeletal_Mesh

player details panel modified

Now press play and test it. See below the gif …

Daz 3D Models

Checkout also many of our Daz3d Product Highlights here some examples below – always check their “Compatible Software” mention for Unreal:

Top Daz3D Asian Female Characters

Source Daz3D Asian Female Characters

Source Top Card 3D Models for Daz

Top Daz3D Swimsuit 3D Models

Source Top Daz3D Swimsuit 3d Models

Conclusion – Daz to Unreal Bridge Tutorial

Daz to Unreal Bridge allows users to make use of all kind of great Daz Assets directly in Unreal games. Also have a look at our other Daz Tutorials and Top 3D Model Reviews.

Receive our latest 3D Tutorials and 3D Model Reviews when they come out.

RenderGuide.com

RenderGuide.com is the place to find the Best 3D Models, learn 3D rendering with our step by step Daz3D Tutorials as well as our detailed Blender Tutorials. Take a look around and we hope you find some great inspiration for your next creative render projects.

Categories

  • 3d Models
  • Blender Tutorials
  • Daz3d Tutorials
  • Popular Posts

Popular Posts

  • how to use daz3dHow to Use Daz3d: Daz Beginner Tutorial [2022]
    This is a tutorial article. ...
  • best office 3d models6 Best Office 3d Models [2022]
    Check out the best office 3d ...
  • what is daz3dWhat is Daz3d: An Introduction to Daz Studio
    This article answers ...
  • house 3d model8 Best House 3d Models [2022]
    Are you seeking the best ...
  • dazd depth of fieldDaz3d Depth of Field: How to Use it
    This article explains ...
  • daz studio animation tutorialDaz Studio Animation Tutorial: Step by Step
    This article is a dedicated ...
  • daz3d iray lighting tutorialDaz3d Iray Lighting Tutorial
    This Daz3d Iray Lighting ...
  • 11 Best Car 3d Models [2022]
    What car 3d model do you want ...
  • daz3d render settingsDaz3d Render Settings: Basics & Tips
    In this article we are going ...
  • Daz dForce: Basics, Tutorials & More
    Daz dForce is an exclusive ...
  • how to install daz studioDaz Install Manager DIM vs DazCentral vs Daz3d Man…
    This article how to install ...
  • what is daz3d used forWhat Is Daz3d Used For?
    What is daz3d used for or may ...

Free 3d Models

Join our Newsletter

Renderguide Newsletter
  • Legal Notice & Affiliate Disclaimer
  • DMCA Notice
  • Privacy Policy
©2022 RenderGuide.com
We use cookies on our website to personalise your experience, to analyse website usage and for ad purposes.
In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by using the link Do not sell my personal information.
Read MoreCookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us advertize, analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non Necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Save & Accept