Didimo

What Didimo is

Didimo’s Popul8 is a character production tool for game development. It automates character creation, fitting assets to character shapes, and generating variations. Popul8 can produce thousands of diverse, game-ready characters at scale, and it automates fitting garments and accessories across different shapes and models. The product page says imported characters, garments, and animations work with Maya, Blender, and other 3D software.

Popul8 Express exports game-ready assets to Unity and Unreal. Enterprise also lists proprietary engines and Maya. Express is positioned for indie and small teams, while Enterprise is aimed at large and mid-size studios. Enterprise features include photo-to-3D and concept-art-to-3D workflows, AI character generation, in-game character editors, and full client support. Didimo describes Express as a lighter version that does not include some advanced Enterprise features. Express runs on Windows 10 or newer and macOS Monterey or newer, including M1 and M2 Macs. It requires booking a demo and requesting the software and license file from Didimo. Both plans are paid, and pricing is on request; Express is an annual subscription, while Enterprise is licensed per game.

Who it suits

Popul8 Express suits indie and small teams making game characters for Unity or Unreal. Enterprise is positioned for large and mid-size studios that need broader engine support and features such as character editors or AI character generation.

Limits

Express is a lightweight version and does not include some advanced Enterprise features. The listed Express plan supports Unreal and Unity, while Enterprise also lists proprietary engines and Maya.

Getting started

1. Visit Didimo’s website.
2. Book a demo for Popul8 Express.
3. Request the software and license file from Didimo.
4. Install Express on Windows 10 or newer, or macOS Monterey or newer, including M1 and M2 Macs.
5. Choose Express for an annual subscription or Enterprise under a per-game license.

Verdict

Choose Popul8 if your game production needs large character sets and automated asset fitting. Express is geared to smaller teams using Unity or Unreal; studios seeking the listed advanced features or proprietary engine support should consider Enterprise. Pricing requires a request to Didimo.