---
updatedAt: 2025-10-14T20:59:38.000Z
agentTools:
projectIndex: https://developer.didimo.co/llms.txt
---
# Adding Deformables, Shapes, and Animations
Once your project is initialized and you’ve added your first Base Character (Template), you can begin importing your assets, such as:
* deformable 3D models (e.g., clothing, hair)
* textures (.png, .jpg and .tga - type1, 2 and 10)
* alternative character variants (Shapes)
* animations
**Popul8 Express** recognizes different asset types, but each asset must be manually assigned to its correct category (Template, Shape, Deformable, Animation) in order to function properly.
🎬 Check our Tutorial Video:
# 1. Converting Assets to the Correct Type
In order for **Popul8 Express** to use an asset correctly, you need to assign it a type (see [Base Concepts](https://developer.didimo.co/docs/base-concepts)):
* Deformable
* Shape
* Animation
> 📘 These options become available after importing your Base Character (Template), and are only applicable to models located under the **Imported Assets** folder.
>
> Follow [Before You Start](https://developer.didimo.co/docs/before-you-start-prepare-your-assets#/) page about how to import your assets and [Importing Your Own Base Character](https://developer.didimo.co/update/docs/how-to-add-your-first-character-to-the-scene#/) page for more information about how to import your Base Character.
## 1.1. Converting an Asset into a Deformable
* Navigate to the **Imported Assets** folder and select your Model to be converted into a Deformable:
(e.g., *Imported Assets → Male → Categories → Deformables → Legs → Sport\_Shorts*)
1.
* Right-click the asset *→ Convert To → Deformable Of → \[Template name]*
*(eg., → Convert To → Deformable Of → Male)*
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* After a moment, a new Deformable object (e.g., *Sport\_Shorts\_LOD1*) will appear under the selected Template in the tree view.
## 1.2. Converting an Asset into a Shape
* Navigate to the **Imported Assets** folder and select your Model to be converted into a Shape:
* Right-click the asset *→ Convert To → Shape Of → \[Template]*
(eg., *→ Convert To → Shape Of → Male*)
* Drag and Drop the Shape into the Outliner to preview the character; you can also drag in any Deformables assigned to the Template.
> 📘 All Deformables previously assigned to the Template (e.g., clothing) will automatically be fitted to the new Shape!
## 1.3. Convert Model into Animation
* Navigate to the **Imported Assets** folder and select your Model to be converted into a Animation
* Right-click the file → Convert To → Animation Of → \[Template]
(eg., *→ Convert To → Animation Of → Male*)
* The animation will automatically be linked to the Template and all its Shapes.
* Drag and Drop your Template or Shape into the outliner and select an option in the Animation panel (e.g., None or Walk) to see your character animated.
# 2. Setup Materials
Once the model is imported or even after conversion, you can assign textures to enhance and complete its visual appearance.
* Select the material expanding your model (eg., *Male → Sport\_Shorts\_LOD1 → Model* and select *ddmo\_shorts\_MAT*). All the inputs related with the material will be displayed in the Inspector View
* Drag and drop the corresponding textures previously imported into the Inputs section under the Outliner (Albedo, Normal Map or Mask Map)
* Click **Apply Changes**. If your model is already placed in the Outliner, any texture or configuration updates will be applied automatically in real time.
# 3. Previewing Deformables on the Character
**Popul8 Express** supports dragging multiple assets into the outliner, enabling you to preview how different assets fit together within your scene.
> 📘 In the outliner, only Deformables assigned to a Template can be combined and previewed together. For character shapes, only the Deformables associated with the selected shape can be combined.
* Drag your Template or Shape and next drag a Deformable into the Outliner
**Popul8 Express Magic:** Once assigned, a Deformable automatically works with all Shapes linked to that Template!