Reallusion releases iClone 8.5 and Character Creator 4.5
Reallusion has released iClone 8.5 and Character Creator 4.5, the latest free updates to the developer’s real-time character animation software and 3D character creation tool.
iClone 8.5 extends the software’s crowd animation toolset, adding a Smart Accessory system to simplify the process of adding accessories like hats, glasses or weapons to crowd characters.
There is also a Prop Interaction system, which enables assets in Reallusion’s new MD Prop format to automatically trigger behaviors in nearby crowd characters.
Character Creator 4.5 is a bugfix update.
iClone 8.5: Smart Accessory system makes it easier to assign accessories to crowd actors
iClone 8.5 builds on the crowd simulation system introduced last year in iClone 8.4, streamlining the process of assigning accessories to crowd characters.
The new Smart Accessory system makes it easier to generate crowd characters with unique accessories, making it possible to vary their materials and their placement on a character.
Accessories can now have multiple materials, and have multiple parent bones, rather than having to be attached to a specific bone.
It is also now possible to embed animations in iClone’s MotionPlus format into accessories, giving crowd characters readymade stock movements that involve the accessory.
The Smart Acessory page on Reallusion’s website shows the potential use cases, but it’s probably easier to see what’s actually new in the online documentation.
iClone 8.5: MD Prop assets trigger behaviors in nearby characters
iClone 8.5’s other major new feature is the Prop Interaction system.
It streamlines the process of getting crowd characters to interact with their environment, with a new type of asset, MD Props, able to automatically trigger behaviors in nearby crowd actors.
There is a range of basic MD Prop types, including objects to sit on, push buttons on, or inspect, and the animations they trigger can be modified by a character’s age or gender.
Users can create their own custom MD Props, or use assets from Reallusion’s new range of commercial MD Prop add-on packs.
We’ve contacted Reallusion to check whether any readymade MD Props are included with the core software, and will update if we hear back.
Updated 12 September 2024: iClone 8.5 comes with 10 stock models that can be used with the built-in MD Prop templates.
Character Creator 4.5: update to GoZ and other bugfixes
Character Creator 4.5 is a small bugfix update, resolving issues with the GoZ bridge to ZBrush, and with props, accessories and hair.
Price and system requirements
Both iClone 8.5 and Character Creator 4.5 are available for Windows 7+. New perpetual licences cost $299 for Character Creator, and $599 for iClone. Both updates are free to existing users.
Individual MD Prop bundles have MSRPs of $149 to $179.
Read a full list of new features in iClone 8.5 on Reallusion’s forum
Read a full list of new features in Character Creator 4.5 on Reallusion’s forum
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