Locodrome Character Animation Tool Offers Free MetaHuman Animation

UE5 filmmaker Anthony Koithra released Locodrome Character Animation Tool (LCAT) on 14 October 2026, a tool for creating animations with MetaHuman characters in Unreal Engine. Available as a free editor utility, LCAT can be obtained via FAB and Gumroad. According to 80 Level, it is a rebuilt continuation of the earlier MetaHuman Animation Tool (MAT).

How does LCAT differ from the previous tool?

Koithra rebuilt MAT from the ground up to create LCAT. The new tool retains the previous version’s functionality while adding features, though the source does not list those additions individually. LCAT’s interface changes according to the selected Control Rig type. When working with MetaHuman, it switches automatically between the Face and Body interfaces, aiming to make it easier to move between the sections used for facial and body animation.

The tool is designed for creating character animation in Unreal Engine. 80 Level says LCAT makes animation easier and faster. This is a claim made in the publication’s coverage of the tool; no specific speed improvement or measurement is provided. So, when evaluating LCAT, the practical benefits should be tested within the project’s control setup and animation workflow.

Which skeletons does it support?

LCAT is not limited to MetaHuman characters. The tool is compatible with the UE5 Mannequin skeleton and can also work with the CC4 skeleton when Reallusion’s custom MetaHuman Control Rig is used. This compatibility is useful information for animators who want to work with different character types in the same tool.

The key consideration is the skeleton and Control Rig setup used by the character in the project. In particular, note the requirement for a custom Control Rig when working with CC4. LCAT’s interface also changes depending on the selected Control Rig, making it important to identify the existing character setup correctly. Installation instructions are available on the FAB page.

Koithra added features to the tool in response to feedback and guidance from animators. The development process also received Epic Megagrant support. However, the source does not identify the animators or provide a complete list of the features added in response to their feedback.

Impact on architecture and archviz workflows

LCAT is focused on character animation. For architecture, interior design, and archviz teams, a potential use case is animating MetaHuman and other supported characters in presentations or films created in Unreal Engine. The tool does not offer architectural modeling or scene-layout features; its contribution is limited to the character animation stage.

Teams that need character walk-throughs, demonstrations of use, or narratives about experiencing a space can check whether their existing characters are compatible with LCAT. A good starting point is to verify the Control Rig and skeleton type, then run a short test with the tool. This approach helps confirm early on whether the project has the custom Control Rig required for CC4.

LCAT’s free availability removes the upfront purchase cost of trying the tool. However, the source does not specify hardware requirements, licensing details, or the full range of supported Unreal Engine versions. Check the installation information and project compatibility before adding it to a production pipeline.