Creating Lifelike Digital Humans for AI Videos: A Comprehensive Tutorial

In today's technologically advanced world, the creation of lifelike digital humans or 'avatars' has become a key component in a multitude of industries,...

In today's technologically advanced world, the creation of lifelike digital humans or 'avatars' has become a key component in a multitude of industries, ranging from video games to healthcare. The evolution of digital human technology powered by artificial intelligence (AI) allows content creators to create high-quality, realistic digital humans that can enhance user experience in virtual reality (VR), social media, the metaverse, and other digital domains.

How do you create a digital human or a digital avatar?

Creating a digital human involves a combination of several intricate processes, including 3D modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, and machine learning for enhanced realism. The following are the main steps involved in the creation of a digital human:

1. Concept Development: Before diving into the creation process, it's essential to develop a clear concept of your digital human. This includes defining its purpose, appearance, behaviors, and other attributes. Sketching or digital painting can be useful for visualizing your concept.
2. 3D Modeling: This is where the digital human begins to take shape. Using 3D modeling software like Maya, ZBrush, or Blender, you create a three-dimensional structure of your digital human. This usually begins with a basic form that gradually gets refined to include detailed features.
3. Texturing: Once the 3D model is complete, you need to add textures to give your digital human a realistic appearance. This involves mapping 2D images onto your 3D model to create skin, hair, clothing, and other details. Software such as Substance Painter can be used for this process.
4. Rigging: Rigging is the process of creating a 'skeleton' for your 3D model. This skeleton is a system of bones and joints that defines how your digital human will move. Rigging is a crucial step in ensuring your digital human can perform realistic movements.
5. Animation: Animation brings your digital human to life by defining its movements. This can include walking, talking, facial expressions, and more. Keyframe animation or motion capture can be used to create these movements. Motion capture, in particular, can create highly realistic animations by capturing the movements of a real human.
6. AI Integration: Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technology can make your digital human capable of real-time interaction. This can include speech synthesis for voice, natural language processing for understanding and generating human-like text, and machine learning algorithms for learning and adapting behavior.
7. Rendering: The final step is rendering, where the computer generates the final image or video with all the textures, lighting, and effects. High-quality rendering can make your digital human look strikingly real.

Remember, creating a digital human is an intricate process that requires a combination of artistic skills and technical knowledge. But with the right software and a lot of practice, you can create stunning, lifelike digital humans.

What is a digital human called?

A digital human is often referred to as an avatar, AI avatar, or digital avatar. These are digital representations of human beings, typically used in virtual environments, video games, films, or as conversational AI entities. They can mimic human appearances, movements, and even behaviors to a highly realistic degree, especially with the progression of artificial intelligence and digital modeling technologies.

The Difference Between a Digital Human and a Real Human

While digital humans may mimic the physical appearance and movement of a real human, there are distinct differences. Digital humans are created using computer-generated imagery (CGI) and rely on artificial intelligence to simulate human-like behavior. They lack the consciousness, emotions, and subjective experiences inherent to human beings.

Despite these differences, digital humans can convincingly reproduce human videos and recreate the user experience, thanks to the advancements in AI-powered facial animation, 3D scanning, and motion capture technology.

Digital humans go by a few other terms

Digital humans are known by several other names depending on the context or specific use case. Here are some other names for a digital human:

1. Avatar: This is a common term used especially in the context of virtual worlds, gaming, and social media platforms.
2. Virtual Human: This term emphasizes the ability of a digital human to interact and perform actions in a virtual environment.
3. AI Avatar or AI Assistant: These are digital humans that leverage artificial intelligence for interactive and conversational abilities.
4. Digital Character: This is often used in the film and gaming industries to refer to digital humans that are characters in a narrative.
5. Virtual Actor: Used when digital humans are utilized for acting roles in films or animations.
6. Digital Double: This term is typically used when the digital human is specifically designed to resemble a specific real person, often used in films for stunts or dangerous scenes.
7. 3D Model: A generic term that refers to any three-dimensional digital representation, including digital humans.
8. Chatbot: While not all chatbots are designed as digital humans, increasingly sophisticated ones are adopting human-like appearances and behaviors.

Remember, these terms can be used interchangeably, but some may have specific connotations based on the context or industry.

Creating a Digital Human

The common process to create a digital human typically involves 3D modeling, texturing, and animation, combined with the power of machine learning to enhance the realism. Facial expressions and transitions are recorded through motion capture technology, and a text-to-speech system can be integrated to give your digital human a voice.

Some creators might start with a template and then customize it according to their needs. There are also several plugins available to enhance workflows and add special features.

Top 8 Software for Creating Digital Humans

1. Speechify Video: Speechify video is the premier AI Avatar video generator. Speechify is the pioneer in using AI to help people lead better, productive lives. Speechify AI Video is one of the many products in its Studio suite.
2. Unreal Engine by Epic Games: Known for its high-quality, photorealistic renderings, Unreal Engine is often used for creating digital humans for video games. It includes advanced features for facial expressions and real-time animation.
3. Synthesia: A platform designed for creating AI videos featuring realistic digital humans. It offers user-friendly interfaces and cost-effective pricing.
4. Maya: This software is renowned for its comprehensive 3D modeling, animation, and rendering capabilities. It’s a favorite among professionals for creating lifelike digital characters.
5. ZBrush: Ideal for sculpting detailed 3D models, ZBrush is excellent for creating high-quality digital humans, especially for fine-tuning facial features.
6. Blender: A free and open-source 3D creation suite, Blender offers powerful tools for creating digital humans and includes features for animation and rendering.
7. Adobe Character Animator: This tool uses your expressions and movements to animate characters in real-time, making it a valuable tool for creating digital humans.
8. FaceRig: This software captures facial movements in real-time and maps them onto avatars, creating an interactive experience.
9. Daz 3D: Known for its vast library of human figures and accessories, Daz 3D is a great tool for creating unique digital characters with ease.