Introduction

Avaturn, a leading platform for creating realistic avatars and provider of a widely used Avatar SDK, has introduced two key updates to enhance avatar usability and lifelike expression. The company released an online GLB-to-FBX converter, enabling smooth integration of avatars into major 3D engines, and rolled out a new feature that supports face blendshapes for realistic facial animation. Together, these advancements further Avaturn’s mission of making digital avatars more functional, immersive, and expressive.

The Challenge

Digital creators and developers frequently face barriers when bringing 3D avatars into widely used engines such as Unity, Unreal, Blender, and Maya. GLB files, though common, are not always compatible with these platforms, requiring conversion into FBX format. Additionally, while avatars have become increasingly realistic in appearance, they often lack expressive facial animations that reflect real human emotion. Developers and users had been requesting this capability to improve use cases such as VR chats, VTubing, live face tracking, and interactive applications.

The Solution

Avaturn addressed these challenges with two major solutions.

First, the company introduced a GLB-to-FBX converter that works online, free, and with full texture support. Designed initially for Avaturn-generated avatars, the converter also works with any GLTF (GLB) file. By offering dedicated settings for Unity and Unreal, the tool ensures smoother import workflows. Avaturn also provided step-by-step tutorials guiding users through importing avatars into Unity and Unreal, including details on adjusting materials, normals, and transparency.

Second, Avaturn rolled out face blendshapes as part of a new update available on a limited early-access basis. With this feature, avatars now support a variety of facial animations, making them more expressive and lifelike. These animations can be controlled through tools such as ARKit or LiveFace, reflecting the user’s emotions and expressions in real time. This advancement significantly expands use cases, from VR chats and VTubing to conversational AI systems and video conferencing.

The Results

These updates deliver immediate benefits to creators, developers, and end users. The GLB-to-FBX converter simplifies workflows for integrating avatars and 3D models into leading engines, reducing compatibility issues and manual adjustments. Meanwhile, the addition of face blendshapes fulfills one of the most anticipated requests from the Avaturn community, providing avatars with realistic emotional expression and broadening the contexts in which they can be used.

While Avaturn has not yet published usage data or performance metrics, the updates reflect a strong focus on usability and community-driven development. By listening to its developers and users, the company continues to enhance its platform with tools that bring avatars closer to real-life interaction and utility.

Conclusion

With the introduction of its GLB-to-FBX converter and the integration of face blendshapes, Avaturn has taken two significant steps toward making avatars more accessible and expressive. These updates not only streamline technical processes for developers but also enrich interactive experiences across entertainment, social, and professional applications. Avaturn’s innovations reinforce its position as a key enabler in the growing ecosystem of immersive digital content.

COMPANY: Avaturn