RULES & REGULATIONS

Dates

Submission Period: Jun 1st to Aug 31st, 2026 (Pacific Time)
Winner Announcement: Sep 30th, 2026 (Pacific Time)

Rules

All entrants should be Reallusion registered members (membership is free) , and submit their images, videos and WIP social sharing links via the Submission Form by midnight (Pacific Time) on Aug 31st, 2026.

  • You can use all the tools you like such as ZBrush, Substance Painter, Marvelous Designer, Maya, 3ds Max, Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, and more to incorporate with Character Creator. For realistic and stylized animation category, iClone should be the main software for character animation editing.
  • For this contest, we encourage you to submit your original characters. If your submitted character is based on another concept art or AI prompt, please also specify it in your WIP with the reference illustration and material.
  • Winners will be notified through e-mail and also have a good chance to be featured on Reallusion newsletters, media channels, and blog interviews for additional exposure.
  • Winners may have an opportunity to be selected as featured content developers, or contacted to work on outsourced Reallusion projects to monetize their creations to the CC and iClone 3D community.
  • During the contest period, you are encouraged to ask your questions on the Reallusion forum.  

AI Usage and Disclaimer

  • Participants are welcome to use AI for concept art, reference generation, or as a creative aid in their process, but final submissions (renders, turntables, and animation clips) must be produced through conventional 3D workflows, not AI-generated output.
  • Our aim: a level playing field where artistry and skill speak for themselves.

Submission Types

Character Design

Create a realistic or stylized CC character using CC3+ Base. You can customize it with Reallusion tools/content or third-party software like ZBrush, Blender, ... etc.

Character Animation

Use iClone to create a realistic or stylized animation for a character made with the CC3+ Base. The character model can be customized with Reallusion tools and content or third-party software like ZBrush, Blender, … etc.

AccuRIG Characters

Any character not made with the CC Base falls into this category. You're welcome to combine all your 3D knowledge into one stunning character. Transforming your character from static to animatable by using AccuRIG is required while editing in Character Creator is optional.

How To Submit

Each member can only submit one entry per category.

General Submission Requirements

    All submissions must include the following items:


  • 4 to 8 beauty-render images/videos of your character. Please include at least 4 different poses with expressions. You may deploy different camera angles and lighting. Minimum resolution: 1920x1080.
  • Thumbnail image for displaying your work on the Entries page. Minimum resolution: 1920x1080.
  • Turntable video URL, showcasing an iconic pose and facial expression. The video must last at least 10 seconds at 1080p resolution.
  • URL of your complete WIP updates.

Specific Submission Requirements

    Please follow the special instructions for the following submission categories:


  • Character Animation (Stylized or Realistic): submissions must also include an animated video that highlights their unique personalities. The video should be 15 seconds above long and in 1080p resolution or above.
  • AccuRIG Character: submissions should feature non-CC based characters. You can create a character model from scratch using any application of your choice, as long as it is AccuRIGGed for posing.

Video Upload

Upload your final character videos to YouTube or Vimeo, and add the video URL in the Submission Form.

  • IMPORTANT: the video name title must begin with the text: "2026 Reallusion 3D Character Contest".
  • The video description must include the following three links: https://reallusion.software/05i (Contest Home)
    https://reallusion.software/e4f225 (Character Creator Home)
    https://reallusion.software/6oa (iClone Home)
  • Winners will also have a good chance to be featured on Reallusion newsletters, media channels, and blog interviews for additional exposure.
  • All video entries must have the Contest Logo at the end of the video for at least 3 seconds.
Download Logo (jpg, 86kb)

WIP Posts

You must create a WIP (work-in-progress) post on ArtStation, BlenderArtist, or ZBrush Central to showcase your progress, as this will be considered in the judging criteria.

  • Please title your post accordingly "2026 Reallusion 3D Character Contest - [your artwork name]".

  • For ArtStation Portfolio: Use "Character Creator" as the software used and add tags "2026 Reallusion 3D Character Contest".
  • For ArtStation Blog: Add tags "2026 Reallusion 3D Character Contest".

Esteemed Judges

Founder of ZBrush Guides
Pablo Munoz Gomez
Pablo is an esteemed concept and character artist renowned for his work in both 3D and traditional media. As the founder of ZBrush Guides and 3D Concept Artist, he is steeped in visual development and sculpting. Pablo is also an instructor at The Extra Mile course and has curated numerous ZBrush training resources over the years.
Visual Effects Artist / Trainer
Reza Sarkamari
Reza Sarkamari is a seasoned educator specialising in cinematic workflows, Unreal Engine, and professional VFX production techniques. His in-depth knowledge in the software earns him multiple certifications, including Nuke Certified Trainer, Autodesk Maya Certified Professional, and Adobe Certified Expert. He also shares practical industry knowledge with a global 283K audience through his YouTube channel "Sarkamari."

Judging Criteria

Character Design
30%
Work in Progress Post

The process of how you complete this entry.

  • This is all about the spirit of sharing, inspiring, and proof of design originality.
  • Demonstrate your best character settings.
  • Share design references, sketches, 3-view character displays, render test images.
30%
Character Design
  • The design quality of character.
  • The technology and functionality you are using to complete the character.
  • This judging criteria also considers the qualities of the chosen iconic poses and expressions.
30%
Peripherals Design

Design of hair, clothes, accessories, shoes, etc.

  • The design quality of your character's peripherals.
  • The technology and functionality you are using to complete these assets.
10%
Video Render for Animated Display

Presentation of character personality

  • Best presentation of your characters with optimized lighting, camera settings, and /or atmosphere.
  • As a minimal criteria for submissions, entrants need to use a turntable display for their animated presentation.
Character Animation
30%
Work in Progress Post

The process of how you complete this entry.

  • This is all about the spirit of sharing, inspiring, and proof of design originality.
  • Demonstrate your best character settings.
  • Share design references, sketches, 3-view character displays, render test images.
25%
Character Design
  • The design quality of character.
  • The technology and functionality you are using to complete the character.
  • This judging criteria also considers the qualities of the chosen iconic poses and expressions.
10%
Peripherals Design

Design of hair, clothes, accessories, shoes, etc.

  • The design quality of your character's peripherals.
  • The technology and functionality you are using to complete these assets.
35%
Animation 

Presentation of character personality

  • Animation should vividly convey the character's personality and style. Judges will especially appreciate the effective use of Face Tools and the demonstration of mastery over facial motion capture.
AccuRIG Characters
30%
Work in Progress Post

The process of how you complete this entry.

  • This is all about the spirit of sharing, inspiring, and proof of design originality.
  • Demonstrate your best character settings.
  • Share design references, sketches, 3-view character displays, render test images.
30%
Character Design
  • The design quality of character.
  • The technology and functionality you are using to complete the character.
  • This judging criteria also considers the qualities of the chosen iconic poses. Expression is optional.
30%
Peripherals Design

Design of hair, clothes, accessories, shoes, etc.

  • The design quality of your character's peripherals.
  • The technology and functionality you are using to complete these assets.
10%
Video Render for Animated Display

Presentation of character personality

  • Best presentation of your characters with optimized lighting, camera settings, and /or atmosphere.
  • As a minimal criteria for submissions, entrants need to use a turntable display for their animated presentation.

ADDITIONAL STIPULATIONS

  • Reallusion reserves the right to disqualify or remove submissions deemed inappropriate, including content that is offensive, defamatory, indecent, or objectionable, without prior notification.
  • Winners may be requested by Reallusion to provide additional contact information for the purpose of prize delivery. Please ensure your contact email is accurate. Reallusion is not responsible for prize delivery failures due to invalid or unreachable email addresses.
  • Entrants also grant Reallusion permission to utilize their creative work in any future marketing events or promotions organized by Reallusion.
  • Reallusion retains the right to feature and showcase select portions of user videos or images from both work-in-progress and final submissions for event wrap-ups, marketing materials, media reports, and other promotional activities. Proper credit will be given to the original artists for all materials used.
  • This competition may be canceled by Reallusion at any stage, if deemed necessary due to force majeure, or if the number of entrants fails to meet the minimum threshold set by Reallusion.
  • Reallusion affirms that all winner announcements are final and will be determined solely by the judging panel, without consideration of popularity votes or any other factors.
  • By submitting an entry, participants automatically agree and certify that they have read and accepted all rules and requirements governing the event.
  • Entrants also grant Reallusion permission to utilize their creative work in any future marketing events or promotions organized by Reallusion.
  • This Reallusion contest event is not profit-driven. The 2026 Reallusion 3D Character Contest is conducted in good faith, with the aim of fostering community engagement and creativity for the enjoyment of all participants.