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MikuMikuDance (software)

MikuMikuDance is a 3D-CG software that creates computer animations by manipulating pre-defined 3D models of characters. It was created by Yu Higuchi and is abbreviated as MMD. In addition to using 3D models of Vocaloid characters such as Hatsune Miku by default, it is possible to import original character models and props. Many 3D models for MMD were made by volunteers.

Although named MikuMikuDance in homage to Hatsune Miku, the software is the brainchild of Higuchi, who made it completely free. While the software is recognized by Crypton Future Media , the distributor of Hatsune Miku, it is not a product of the company, and while it is not officially sanctioned by Crypton, they still allow users to enjoy it.
The Vocaloid models provided by the software are subject to the Piapro Character License, which means they cannot be used without permission for commercial purposes.
Since May 26, 2011, regular updates to the software have ceased. Its creator, Higuchi, stated that he wanted to leave updates to the community, but he has not yet released the source code. After receiving negative reactions to this, Higuchi decided to resume updates but with a much lower frequency. The current version, 9.32, was released in December 2019.
A new software program, MikuMikuMoving (MMM), was created by other fans and is considered the spiritual successor to MMD. MMM is unique in that, in addition to the feature-rich MMD, it also includes new file formats exclusive to the software, as well as support for the Oculus Rift headset. This means that instead of managing animation using a keyboard and mouse, the software can track an Oculus Rift user's movements and then create animations based on their actions. This makes the animations much more realistic and smoother than traditional MMD animations.

Features

Even beginners unfamiliar with 3D-CG can immediately create animations using the included 3D models upon first launching the software. The software uses DirectX for real-time performance rendering. MMD also has a feature that automatically creates lip-sync animations by reading the VSQ project file that Vocaloid uses for vocal creation. This allows animators to focus on creating keyframes for body movement without worrying about lip-syncing.

Because this software specializes in creating animations, additional software is required to create or edit model data. Any 3D modeling software that supports the PMX file format can be used to create a 3D model, which can then be imported directly into MMD.

Besides being completely free to use, one of the main reasons fans love using MMD is that the software itself is robust, portable, and lightweight, yet it weighs less than 10MB, while paid 3D animation software regularly exceeds 1GB of software data.

Character models

Here is a list of default character models as of version 8.10.

Hatsune Miku
Kagamine-Rin
Kagamine Len
Akita Neru
Yowane Haku
Sakine Meiko
KAITO
MEIKO
Megurine Luka (new in version 8.10)

Popularity

Since its inception, MikuMikuDance has been frequently used to create music video animations for thousands of songs, some of which have achieved massive popularity both in Japan (high rankings on the Oricon music charts) and abroad. Its ease of use for creating animations has been cited as the main reason musicians chose to create animated videos over standard illustration-based music videos or recorded video footage. At its peak, over 80% of all Hatsune Miku videos uploaded to Nico Nico Douga or YouTube used the software, cementing its place in the Vocaloid legacy.

Many people who started using MikuMikuDance to learn animation have continued in the industry, with some finding professional music video jobs within the music industry while others work in games or animation. A series of MMD-based animations were created in the late 2000s in the form of virtual YouTubers, such as IA Kizuna , which sparked a new wave of popularity for the software and its 3D model editing counterparts.