Introduction
Creating interactive, engaging AI characters for your games and virtual worlds is now more accessible than ever with Convai and Reallusion avatars integrated into Unreal Engine 5. This guide will walk you through the process of transforming Reallusion avatars into AI-driven characters that can talk, perceive their surroundings, and perform complex actions. Whether you're a game developer, designer, or virtual world builder, this tutorial will help you leverage these tools to create dynamic AI NPCs. Read our documentation to learn more about all the cool integrations Convai supports.
Check out our super detailed tutorial on creating AI NPCs with Reallusion Avatars below:
Before we dive into the detailed guide below, let’s look at some of the use cases for having AI Characters powered by Convai in your Unreal Engine Projects
Use Cases for AI Characters in Unreal Engine Projects
Enhancing Game Narratives
AI characters can significantly enhance game narratives by providing dynamic and interactive storytelling. They can react to player choices, offer quests, and provide rich backstories that evolve as the game progresses.
Immersive Virtual Worlds
In virtual worlds, AI characters can make the environment feel alive. They can simulate real-world behaviors, interact with players and other NPCs, and contribute to a more immersive experience. These characters can act as guides, shopkeepers, or random civilians, adding depth to the virtual ecosystem.
Training Simulations
AI-driven characters can be used in training simulations for various industries. For instance, in medical training, AI patients can simulate realistic symptoms and responses, providing a practical training ground for medical professionals.
Educational Tools
In educational environments, AI characters can serve as tutors or interactive learning companions. They can adapt to the learner's pace, provide personalized feedback, and make learning more engaging and interactive.
Customer Service Bots
AI characters can be deployed in virtual customer service applications. They can assist users in navigating through services, answering queries, and providing support, thereby improving customer experience.
Now that we’ve looked at some of the use cases of having AI characters in your Unreal Engine projects. Let’s see how we can add AI functionalities to Reallusion characters using Convai for Unreal Engine 5.
Setting Up Reallusion Characters
First, let's set up your Reallusion character in Character Creator 4 (CC4).
1. Open Reallusion Character Creator 4 and select your character.
2. Choose an Animation:
- Navigate to the motion section.
- Select essential animations like idle, walking, and talking.
- Import the animations into CC4.
Exporting Characters to Unreal Engine
Once your character and animations are ready, export them to Unreal Engine.
1. Export Settings:
- Go to `File > Export > FBX`.
- Ensure both the mesh and motion are selected.
- Set the texture size to high and customize motion settings.
- Export the selected animations.
If you’re stuck at anypoint during this guide, check out Unreal Integration on our docs page.
Crafting the Character's Mind with Convai
Next, we'll craft the AI character's mind using Convai.
1. Signup and Login at Convai.
2. Create a New Character:
- Name your character.
- Add a backstory and select a voice (e.g., from 11 Labs).
- Customize language and personality settings.
Integrating Characters into Unreal Engine
Now, integrate your character into Unreal Engine. Check out the docs on Reallusion Integration.
1. Create a New Project:
- Select the first-person template and name it appropriately.
2. Import Assets:
- Drag and drop the exported FBX file into Unreal Engine.
- Import the character and animations.
Adding Animations and Actions
To bring your character to life, you'll need to set up animations and actions.
1. Create an Animation Blueprint:
- Link the imported animations to the animation graph.
- Ensure all animations loop correctly.
2. Set Up AI Actions:
- Use the Convai plugin to create AI-driven behaviors.
- Add custom actions such as dancing, moving to objects, or interacting with the environment.
Enabling Lip-Sync and Scene Perception
Enhance your character's interactivity with lip-sync and scene perception capabilities.
1. Add Lip-Sync Component:
- Integrate the Convai Face Sync for real-time lip-sync.
2. Enable Scene Perception:
- Set up a navigation mesh to allow the character to move within the scene.
- Add objects for the character to interact with.
Advanced AI Interactions
To make your AI characters more dynamic, explore advanced interactions.
1. Add Custom Actions:
- Create new actions in the character blueprint.
- Use animations like dance moves to showcase the character's abilities.
2. Adjust Movement and Speed:
- Fine-tune the character's movement speed to match the animations.
- Use the navigation mesh for realistic movement.
Conclusion
Integrating Reallusion avatars with Convai in Unreal Engine opens up a world of possibilities for creating engaging AI characters. These characters can talk, act, and interact in your virtual environments, making them perfect for games and virtual worlds. Start experimenting with these tools today and bring your AI NPCs to life!
Join our community on Discord for more tips and support! Also Check out our YouTube playlist for Convai Unreal Engine tutorials to learn more.
By following this guide, you'll be well on your way to creating sophisticated AI characters that enhance your game's interactivity and immersion. Happy developing!
