Need developer guidance for virtual desktop waifu project.

[Tumass]

Alright, so first of all thanks for taking the time to read this. This is my first time trying to make something like this.

 

Basically what i want to achieve is having a 3d model (good quality, not some mmd type thing) with transparent background on my screen. End goal being to link it with a chatbot using an API so that i and it can trigger animations based on both input and output, besides just playing a series of idle animations whenever not engaging.

 

So far i've been messing around in unreal engine 5.4. Pretty much finished the whole api backend for it, which leaves me with the 3d model and animations. So far this has been the most annoying part. Finding a good 3d model (With stupid proportions, ofcourse) that actually works with unreal engine has been a complete nightmare. Not to mention finding (Somewhat lewd themed) animations that are actual compatible with unreal engine has also been extremely disappointing. And the ones i did find would all require some serious manual adjustment  I'm actually considering just jumping ship from unreal engine and trying a different approach.

 

So for the more experienced game developers among us, i would very much like your input on this. Is going for a different approach going to lead me to the same issues? Do you have any recommendations for engines or tools i can use to avoid some of these issues? I would love your input on this.

 

For the tl;dr among us:

 

Is unreal engine a good engine for a project like this? Do you have any recommendations of alternatives i can use? Or do you know any animators i could commission to make me a solid set of animations that won't cost me an arm and a limb? (140 bucks per hour was what i saw on fiver ;-;)

 

Would love to have your input, and of course thank you for your time.

[kriperflag]

I hear you, and I agree — Unreal Engine is powerful, but it can become frustrating when you’re dealing with model compatibility and animation pipelines, especially if you’re looking for something niche. Switching engines may not fully solve those issues, since most platforms still require manual adjustment unless you commission custom assets.  From a broader perspective, Long-Term Business Value – Owning intellectual property (custom software) increases the valuation of your business, as it’s a unique asset that competitors can’t easily replicate. That’s why some teams even branch into adjacent technologies and hire blockchain developer to secure ownership and authenticity of their digital assets, ensuring their projects retain unique value in the long run.

Edited August 29, 2025 by kriperflag