UMA 3
UMA 3 is a free framework for creating and modifying customizable game characters, primarily humanoid characters but adaptable to other models.
What UMA 3 is
UMA 3 is a free framework for creating and modifying customizable game characters, primarily humanoid characters but adaptable to other models. Its modular DNA system supports modifiers, blendshapes, bone adjustments and poses, color changes, and live editing in the editor. Clothing and accessories can be shared across avatars built on the same base mesh, while overlays combine textures into a final atlas. UMA combines avatar parts into a final mesh; with one material and a texture atlas, it can generate an avatar using a single draw call. Overlay Painter tools support synchronized 2D and 3D painting, masks, layer groups, and texture or overlay export. The framework also includes code for sharing avatar data between clients and a server, though projects may need custom work to reduce serialized data. It can be installed through Unity Package Manager or copied into a project's Assets/UMA folder. UMA 3.1 supports Unity 6.3 and newer, and UMA 2 content is available separately. The project uses the MIT license and permits commercial use.
Good
- Modular DNA supports live editing in the editor
- Clothing and accessories can be shared across compatible avatars
- Overlay Painter supports synchronized 2D and 3D painting
- MIT license permits commercial use
- Supports rigged exports in OBJ, FBX, ZTL, 3ds Max, and Blend
Watch out
- Many avatars may require lower atlas resolution or shared data to manage memory
- Multiplayer projects may need custom work to reduce serialized data
- Community wiki upkeep depends on volunteers
Who it suits
UMA 3 suits game developers who need customizable characters and want to edit their appearance and components in Unity. It may also fit multiplayer projects that can adapt the included avatar-sharing code to their needs.
Verdict
UMA 3 offers a free, modular character-authoring framework with tools for avatar customization, painting, and export. Projects generating many avatars should account for mesh and atlas memory use.
Plans and prices
From UMA 3's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| UMA 3 | Free | Free character creation and modification system · MIT license |
The facts
Each one read from UMA 3's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Avatar authoring
- UMA supports sharing clothing and accessories across avatars built on the same base mesh, with overlays that combine textures into a final atlas.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Its modular DNA system supports modifiers, blendshapes, bone adjustments, bone poses, color changes, and live editing in the editor.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Framework
- The project describes UMA as an open avatar creation framework that provides base code and example content.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Install options
- UMA can be installed through Unity Package Manager or copied into a project's Assets/UMA folder.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker's integration guide covers Invector 3rd Person Controller and RootMotion Final IK, including FullBodyIK and VRIK.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Legacy content
- UMA 2 content is available as an optional separate package.checked 2 Oct 2026
- License and support
- The repository uses the MIT license and describes UMA as a community project whose wiki depends on volunteer upkeep.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Multiplayer
- The framework includes code to package UMA data for sharing the same avatar between clients and a server, though projects may need custom solutions to reduce serialized data.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Performance limit
- Each avatar has its own mesh and atlas by default, so projects generating many avatars may need lower atlas resolution or shared mesh and atlas data to manage memory.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- UMA is a character creation and modification system for creating customizable, optimized game characters, primarily humanoid but adaptable to other models.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Rendering and authoring
- UMA 3 includes Overlay Painter tools for synchronized 2D and 3D painting, masks, layer groups, and texture or overlay export.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Runtime and performance
- UMA combines avatar parts into a final mesh and can use a texture atlas to generate an avatar with a single draw call when one material is used.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Unity compatibility
- UMA 3.1 supports Unity 6.3 and newer.checked 2 Oct 2026
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