Malcolm 2.0

Malcolm is a free 3D animation character rig for Autodesk Maya available from AnimSchool.

Malcolm has been an industry icon for years -- possibly animators' most popular free 3D character in the world. The face is very advanced, very malleable -- yet he plays in real-time. He's been used for school assignments, to win awards, short films, and even commercial projects.

We're so happy to see Malcolm used by so many around the world.

More than 20,000 people have downloaded Malcolm and the AnimSchool Picker--and they've always been free. Many people have come up to us and said thanks! Thanks for the gift to the community.

It's so easy to make exaggerated and appealing poses with Malcolm. To make a great performance.

But one thing hasn't been easy -- he's not easy to customize. He doesn't have any clothes options. You can't change his pants or shoes -- there's nothing underneath -- although people have been very creative.  And there aren't any hair options.

So we decided it's time for a major update.

We're adding tons of wardrobe and hairstyle options to him, giving him all new geometry to support all kinds of configurations. Even bare feet.

                      

Development Costs

There's only one problem. Our students at AnimSchool pay for all our development time with their tuition money. Of course, we need to develop things for them first and foremost!

That's why we're asking you out there to join with us, and be part of Malcolm 2.0. Malcolm is a community asset. You can do something now to show your appreciation and keep Malcolm 2.0 free.

Your contribution will be used to pay the designers, the modelers to make the outfits and remaining hairstyles, and the riggers to completely remake Malcolm's topology and rig so he can work with changeable outfits.

And we'll be making some rig improvements as we go.

Malcolm 2.0 - But Will He Be Free?

You can consider this our tip jar for Malcolm. If you've used our character and benefited from it, consider donating $25 now to show your appreciation.

If we reach our funding goal, we'll make Malcolm 2.0 free, again!
(There are some restrictions to using Malcolm. Not all uses are permitted. They are listed here:
http://www.animschool.com/DownloadOffer.aspx )

The contributors $80 and above will get early access to Malcolm 2.0 PLUS two Exclusive Outfits, the Evil Scientist and the Cowboy Villain. Then after a few months, we'll release him to the community (but without the two Exclusive Outfits).

If we don't reach our goal, Malcolm 2.0 won't be a part of the community.
But if you contribute $80 or more now, at least you'll get it as a thank you for your donation. (Either way, you have to admit $80 for a rig like that is not much to ask!)

Malcolm won't be "for sale" after this campaign ends. You can contribute now and be assured access to Malcolm 2.0, or miss out (If it doesn't meet the funding goal, or if it does fund, miss out on the extra wardrobes shown below.).

Get All These:

Plus these Hairstyles:

And remember, the biggest change is that he'll have a full body underneath, which will allow for the adding and removing of wardrobes and footwear.

"Why should I contribute now if it's going to be free anyway?"

You might be asking why you should contribute now if Malcolm is possibly going to be free anyway.
Well, if we reach our goal, Malcolm 2.0 will be free, but you'll still get an advantage: These two of the coolest outfits are ONLY AVAILABLE NOW, and won't be part of the free release.

(There are some restrictions to using Malcolm. Not all uses are permitted. They are listed here:
http://www.animschool.com/DownloadOffer.aspx )

Mix and Match

The outfits and hairstyles can be mixed and matched to a great degree, with the shoes from one style mixed with the shirt from another, and any hairstyle, making a large array of possible looks.

AnimSchool Picker GUI

All this comes with each wardrobe part having a set of Picker GUI controls in AnimSchool Picker, like these:

We don't want to SELL Malcolm and you won't be able to buy this after! Malcolm wants to be free!

Let's pull together.
Be a part of this project. Believe in Malcolm.
Keep Malcolm free or at the very least say thanks or at least secure *your* access to Malcolm 2.0.

In fact. If we reach our funding stretch goals, we'll add even more outfits and configurability to Malcolm.   (Stay tuned for details as we reach our stretch goals)

We love being a part of the community! It's time to pull together for Malcolm 2.0.

When will Malcolm 2.0 deliver?

Obviously, if we reach our funding goal, that will help bring more focused effort to this project:
Within 6 months from the end of this campaign.

If we don't reach our funding goal, we will still make Malcolm 2.0 for our students and those who contributed $80 or more, but we anticipate a longer development cycle:
Within 9 months from the end of this campaign.