MikuMikuDance

MikuMikuDance

A screenshot of the program showing some of the 3D models supplied alongside the software once downloaded
Original author(s)	Yu Higuchi
Stable release	MMD 7.39
Development status	Active
Written in	Japanese
Operating system	Windows XP / Vista / 7
Available in	English, Japanese
Type	3D animated Videos
License	Freeware
Website	http://www6.atwiki.jp/vpvpwiki/ http://mikumikudance.us.to/

MikuMikuDance (ミクミクダンス, MikuMikuDansu^?), commonly abbreviated to MMD, is a freeware animation program that lets users animate and create 3D animation movies, originally produced for the movies of Vocaloid Hatsune Miku.^[1][2] The MikuMikuDance program itself was programmed by Yu Higuchi (HiguchiM) and has gone through significant upgrades since its creation. Its production was made as part of the VOCALOID Promotion Video Project (VPVP).^[3]

Overview

The software allows users to import 3D models into a virtual space that can be moved and animated accordingly. The expressions of the 3D figures can be easily altered and sound can be further added to create music videos. The 'motion data', created by animating the models can be exported and imported into other music videos made with the software and allows users to share the data with other users. The software also has its own physics engine and users can make adjustments to any object within the virtual space provided by the software. Users can also use Microsoft's Kinect for motion capturing. Map shadowing, screenshot rendering and full movie rendering is also possible.

All content, including the 3D models, is distributed freely by the users and most of its additional content is produced by users with new models made by 3D modeling software. The software itself comes with a number of models based on the mascots of Crypton Future Media Vocaloids. The software was originally only released in Japanese, however an English version was released at a later date.^[4] Videos using the software are regularly seen on sites such as Nico Nico Douga and YouTube and is popular among Vocaloid fans and users alike. A magazine which hands out exclusive models with every issue was also produced owing to this popularity.^[5] Some models for Vocaloid may also be used for Vocaloid music, going on to be used by studios working with the Vocaloid software.^[6]

Many people also buy Windows 100% magazines which give models exclusive to the public. These come out once every month and due to popularity, model creators are giving out secret models, as well as the models people have paid for. Most of these tend to be Vocaloid or models that do not have a particular owner.

In May 2011, continual updating of the software came to an end and the last version was released. In a closing statement, the creator left the software in the hands of the fans to continue building upon.^[7]

Copyright

The software was released as freeware. The models of the Vocaloid mascot series provided with the software are subject to each Vocaloid distributor's copyright agreement and are not allowed to be used without permission for commercial reasons. Although the software is distributed freely, models released independently of the software may not be — original produced models, motion data, and landscapes are subject to their owner's own terms of use. The program does not include all of the Vocaloid characters, but it includes Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, Kaito, Meiko, Yowane Haku, and Akita Neru.

Model Distributions and Concerns

The editing and distribution of models has been the most controversial when it comes to MikuMikuDance. Though the software is freeware, MMD models are not allowed to be freely distributed without permission of their owners, who impose some restrictions on the use and release of their models outside of their control. Some model producers only release via a "invitation-only" communities where access is restricted. Others are not part of a community but allow download from a blog or account, but will pull any model when users do not abide on the restrictions. All MMD users are expected to follow some basic guidelines;^[8][9]

1. HiguchiM, the MMD platform author, does not own any MMD models.
2. The default models except for Meiko Sakine and Akita Neru were created by Animasa. The default Meiko Sakine model was created by Kio. Both creators permit the edit and redistribution explicitly.
3. HiguchiM does not guarantee the use of fanmade models. Only the default ones are guaranteed.
4. The tacit rule among MMD creators is this. If a model author announces that he/she approves the edit and redistribution, you can do; if he/she does not announce, you may not do. In other words, if an author says nothing about the secondary processing, it means NO. You can do only what a creator says yes.

References

1. ^ Notofu (October 23, 2009). "初音ミクがグリグリ躍る「MMD」の現状と未来" (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/470/470260/. Retrieved November 15, 2010. 
2. ^ Okada, Yuka (March 10, 2008). "「神ツール」――初音ミク踊らせるソフト「MikuMikuDance」大人気" (in Japanese). IT Media. http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/0803/10/news020.html. Retrieved November 15, 2010. 
3. ^ Link
4. ^ Link
5. ^ link
6. ^ link
7. ^ link
8. ^ [1]
9. ^ [2]

External links

• Japanese homepage
• English homepage