Creating Custom MetaHumans

‍This two-day workshop provides a comprehensive, hands-on introduction to building high-fidelity digital humans using Epic Games’ MetaHuman ecosystem and Unreal Engine.Led by Montreal-based Unreal Authorized Instructor and digital human specialist Nida Arshia, the session walks participants through a real-world production pipeline used in film, advertising, and virtual production. Participants will move from real-world capture through to a fully animated and rendered digital character, gaining practical skills grounded in professional workflows.

‍Learning Outcomes

Day 1 — Digital Human Creation & Look Development
‍Photogrammetry capture workflowConverting scan data into a MetaHumanCustom skin texturing using Substance PainterMaterial setup in Unreal EngineHair and facial groom workflowsLook Development fundamentalsPipeline overview and Q&A
By the end of Day 1, participants will have a customized MetaHuman created from real-world scan data.

‍Day 2 — Animation, Cinematics & RenderingFacial Animation → Sequencer → Lighting → RenderingFacial animation using MetaHuman AnimatorPerformance capture, processing and refinementSequencer and cinematic camera setupShot composition and camera languageLook Development, lighting, and moodFinal render outputProduction workflow review and Q&A
By the end of Day 2, participants will have an animated, lit, and rendered digital human suitable for real-time or cinematic use.

‍Who Should Attend 3D artists and animators Filmmakers and virtual production professionalsGame developers and real-time creatorsXR and immersive media artistsAnyone interested in professional digital human workflows
‍Requirements Basic understanding of 3D content creationEpic Games account

‍Instructor Bio
Nida Arshia is a Montreal-based Unreal Authorized Instructor and Unreal Engine Generalist with over eight years of experience across VFX, advertising, virtual production, and real-time storytelling. Her work is driven by a strong passion for visual storytelling, with a focus on lighting, composition, and cinematic techniques to create immersive and emotionally engaging experiences.

She has worked on cinematic and CG campaigns for clients such as Netflix, HP, HDFC, and Nat Geo at advertising studio Monks, and previously contributed as a Texture and Look Development Artist at Moving Picture Company, where she was credited on major VFX feature films including Detective Pikachu and The Predator.

This blend of high-end VFX and real-time production informs her approach to realism, character look development, and cinematic lighting in Unreal Engine. Nida has participated in Epic Games’ Unreal Animation Fellowship and has mentored creators through the Unreal Engine Women Creators Program. She currently mentors students in Unreal Engine courses at CG Spectrum, working with learners from around the world.
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