How to Import Your Own Template (Character)

If you want to work with a custom 3D character created in another program (e.g., Blender, Maya), you can easily import it into Popul8 Express as a Template.

This allows you to generate character variants and add clothing, animations, and other assets.

🎬 Check our Tutorial Video:

1. Expand the project structure in the Project panel

In the left panel (the category tree), follow these two steps:

• Expand the tree for your active project (click the triangle next to its name)
• Then expand the Resources folder to view its contents

2. Import files or folders

Before importing, make sure you’ve exported your model from your 3D software (e.g., Blender, Maya) in a supported format.

Then, in the Project panel, right-click in an empty area. You’ll see two import options:

• Import → File, to import a single file (e.g., FBX, PNG, JPG)
• Import → Folder, to import an entire folder containing the Template and related files

Locate the folder where you exported your model from your 3D software (e.g., Blender, Maya).

While importing, you’ll see a status message: Importing Assets, this only takes a moment.

Once complete, the assets will appear under your project’s folder.

3. Make sure your files are in supported formats

Supported formats:

• 3D models: .fbx
• Textures: .png, .jpg

Tip: For a smoother workflow, place all related files in a single, well-organized folder before importing.

Using a folder structure that mirrors the layout used in Popul8 Express will make navigation and asset management much easier. More You can read here: How to Create a New Project in Popul8 Express

4. Locate the imported Template

After import, expand your project’s tree and look for your model under:

Imported Assets → Template

5. Drag the Template into the Outliner

Use drag & drop to move the model from the asset tree into the Outliner window.

You’ll now see a visual preview of the imported model.

Next, right-click the model’s name in the Outliner and select Remove, this clears the preview before converting the model to a Template.

6. Rename the model

In the asset tree, click your imported model (left-click), then look to the right panel (below the Outliner).

In the Name field, rename your model (e.g., to Male) and click Apply Changes.

7. Convert the model to a Template

In the asset tree, right-click the renamed object (e.g., Male) and select:

Convert To → Template

A Building Assets window will appear, this may take a few seconds.

This is a critical step, it tells Popul8 to treat the model as a Template (a base character), not just a generic asset.

8. Drag the new Template back into the Outliner

From the list of available Templates in the project tree, drag your newly created Template (e.g., Male) back into the Outliner.

A Building Assets window will appear, this may take a few seconds.

9. Check the Template structure

Once loaded, expand the model’s branch in the asset tree (left panel).

Popul8 has automatically generated the correct internal structure, ready for editing.

✅ Done!

Your Template is ready to go, you can now start creating Shapes, adding Deformables, and assigning Animations.