There are also a number of workflow and user interface improvements. CC3 Base is now compatible with the ExpressionPlus (ExPlus) mixed face shapes that were introduced in iClone 7.9. Other changes to Character Creator 3.4 include an update to the CC3 Base+ character geometry, introduced in version 3.3 last year.

Smart Hair can be exported to the Unreal Engine directly using the automatic setup for Unreal Engine 4, the free Reallusion conversion plugin, the new version 1.2 of which was recently released. Reallusion describes the Smart Hair system as ‘designed to work’ in real-time applications. Other components control the coloured and specular highlights, also defined by texture maps. The new Smart Hair Shader software provides separate components for the primary colour, defined by the vertex colour in the scalp grid, and the root and end colour of the hair strands, defined by the texture maps. The free update includes ‘sample hairstyles and facial hair’, but it looks like most of the finished assets are available via the two paid add-ons, Prime Hairstyles and Beard & Brows Builder. Additional ‘strands’ soften the hair or add thin strands of hair. The beard is divided into moustache, sideburns and beard parts. In the case of hair on the head, the hair base, fringes and hair at the back of the head form separate elements, as do ponytails and hair accessories.

The hairstyles consist of three “hair groups” – head hair, beard and eyebrows. The main change is Smart Hair, a new modular system for adding hair to 3D characters. Character Creation 3.4 is the first software update since last July.

Reallusion smart hair