Free animated character 3D models for three.js (GLB, CC BY)
24 free animated characters for three.js from the 3,040 in the paprika3d asset library (CC BY), as meshopt GLB files: each with its author, license, credit line, triangles and file size, and the asset_search call that fetches it.
What the library holds
The paprika3d asset library holds 3,040 animated characters among its 57,732 models. All of them are licensed CC BY 4.0, which asks you to credit the author wherever you use the model; each card below carries the credit line to paste.
2,764 of the 3,040 pass the library's quality checks: textured (or drawn in vertex colours, for a low-poly or voxel model), not flat, at most 15 MB, with a name, a description and a real-world height. Among those, the median model has 11,400 triangles, with the middle half between 3,960 and 27,100, and the median file is 0.38 MB, with nine in ten at most 1.1 MB. The median one stands 1.7 m tall at real size. None carries a texture over 1024 px. 2,764 are animated and 2,505 rigged. The most common styles are stylized (1,319), realistic (489) and low-poly (399).
Animated characters in a three.js scene
Every one of these 2,764 is animated, and 2,505 are rigged. Play one with an AnimationMixer: mixer.clipAction(gltf.animations[0]).play(), then mixer.update(dt) each frame with the frame's time in seconds. Find a clip by name with THREE.AnimationClip.findByName(gltf.animations, 'Run'); many files hold a single clip named after the move.
For a character controller, blend between idle, walk and run with crossFadeTo over a fraction of a second, and match the walk's timeScale to the speed so the feet do not slide. Clips with root motion move the hips forward and snap back at each loop; an in-place clip, or one with the hips' position track removed, lets your code move the character instead.
Several copies of one character need SkeletonUtils.clone. The median file is 0.38 MB, and none carries a 2048 px texture.
Fetch one and load it
With the paprika3d plugin in Claude Code, or its MCP server in any other agent, the agent searches the library in words or picks a model by the id on its card. pick downloads the file into the project's assets/ folder (public/assets/ under vite), adds the credit line to assets/CREDITS.md and answers with the code that loads it at real size. Give cwd, the project folder, as with every paprika3d tool.
asset_search {"query": "animated character", "cwd": "."}
asset_search {"pick": "2c78dd65f2d0483f8ab9a97151d840f5", "cwd": "."}
Every file is a binary glTF (.glb) compressed with meshopt, so GLTFLoader needs the meshopt decoder that ships with three.js. The origin sits at the bottom centre of each model, so it stands on the floor where you place it:
import * as THREE from 'three';
import { GLTFLoader } from 'three/addons/loaders/GLTFLoader.js';
import { MeshoptDecoder } from 'three/addons/libs/meshopt_decoder.module.js';
const loader = new GLTFLoader().setMeshoptDecoder(MeshoptDecoder);
const gltf = await loader.loadAsync('assets/walking-1-2c78dd.glb');
scene.add(gltf.scene);
24 animated characters to start from
Chosen from the 2,764 that pass the checks: the ones agents picked most through asset_search first, then the ones whose name says what they are, then lighter files, with at most 2 per author. Each CC BY card ends with its credit line: paste it into your credits, as the license requires.
Walking (1) by nalindwivedi
CC BY 4.0 · 7,286 triangles · 0.227 MB · realistic · 1.8 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "2c78dd65f2d0483f8ab9a97151d840f5"}
Credit: "Walking (1)" by nalindwivedi (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/2c78dd65f2d0483f8ab9a97151d840f5) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Walk,Run and Idle by C. Anastasiadis
CC BY 4.0 · 2,962 triangles · 0.153 MB · low-poly · 1.8 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "5405f7e3874b4941ac12a88714b074ee"}
Credit: "Walk,Run and Idle" by C. Anastasiadis (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/5405f7e3874b4941ac12a88714b074ee) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Idle 1 Male Free Animation (200 frames loop) by Denys Almaral
CC BY 4.0 · 1,552 triangles · 0.085 MB · low-poly · 1.75 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "4add87eb9b7744c593e6684c5df3551b"}
Credit: "Idle 1 Male Free Animation (200 frames loop)" by Denys Almaral (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/4add87eb9b7744c593e6684c5df3551b) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Thriller Part 2 by panoramaar
CC BY 4.0 · 15,646 triangles · 0.438 MB · realistic · 1.75 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "8e8a441c60b64eeb97eccbf6beea1c8b"}
Credit: "Thriller Part 2" by panoramaar (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/8e8a441c60b64eeb97eccbf6beea1c8b) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
MUSCLEMAN by ledtocreate
CC BY 4.0 · 27,340 triangles · 0.46 MB · realistic · 1.8 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "86943420b6b14c2da8d32d8d6ef25a08"}
Credit: "MUSCLEMAN" by ledtocreate (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/86943420b6b14c2da8d32d8d6ef25a08) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Fat Leader Final Low by Fazlul Karim
CC BY 4.0 · 7,436 triangles · 0.236 MB · realistic · 1.75 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "c92995a6858e4738ba60e197478c4041"}
Credit: "Fat Leader Final Low" by Fazlul Karim (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/c92995a6858e4738ba60e197478c4041) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Schiavo greco che cammina by susiloche61
CC BY 4.0 · 39,311 triangles · 0.879 MB · realistic · 1.75 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "9002a16bf09f48fdac8acba61b52ea0c"}
Credit: "Schiavo greco che cammina" by susiloche61 (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/9002a16bf09f48fdac8acba61b52ea0c) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Yuri Standing Idle by yuriannoue
CC BY 4.0 · 7,544 triangles · 0.213 MB · realistic · 1.8 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "8ea23673d5314509960f8967a45ea761"}
Credit: "Yuri Standing Idle" by yuriannoue (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/8ea23673d5314509960f8967a45ea761) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Gentleman by Kleuber Cardoso
CC BY 4.0 · 2,436 triangles · 0.52 MB · low-poly · 1.8 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "5dc5b68edee74633a2dcb81ff1b70c78"}
Credit: "Gentleman" by Kleuber Cardoso (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/5dc5b68edee74633a2dcb81ff1b70c78) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Rigginavatar by anguser
CC BY 4.0 · 13,978 triangles · 0.662 MB · stylized · 1.75 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "02c9fd6f586a4900b1e9f83e05ecc4b2"}
Credit: "Rigginavatar" by anguser (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/02c9fd6f586a4900b1e9f83e05ecc4b2) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Gangnam by dmeeker
CC BY 4.0 · 18,232 triangles · 0.277 MB · realistic · 1.75 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "255dae3bc0e3483382178a1b7b80d34f"}
Credit: "Gangnam" by dmeeker (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/255dae3bc0e3483382178a1b7b80d34f) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Bigone by klrxyz
CC BY 4.0 · 16,819 triangles · 0.328 MB · realistic · 1.8 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "deb3c7c6953e4314a7d85854715987d7"}
Credit: "Bigone" by klrxyz (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/deb3c7c6953e4314a7d85854715987d7) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Cyborg shoots a rocket missile from his blaster by acharlie2019
CC BY 4.0 · 606 triangles · 0.046 MB · low-poly · 1.8 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "c6559bc2a1c84de3819720a0e91aebcc"}
Credit: "Cyborg shoots a rocket missile from his blaster" by acharlie2019 (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/c6559bc2a1c84de3819720a0e91aebcc) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Hip Hop Dancing (2) by miyake
CC BY 4.0 · 21,008 triangles · 0.41 MB · stylized · 1.5 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "a8c0906a6c0747e8b9296d7b65065fc9"}
Credit: "Hip Hop Dancing (2)" by miyake (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/a8c0906a6c0747e8b9296d7b65065fc9) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Carter Cameron: Max Form by KillrWolf
CC BY 4.0 · 11,322 triangles · 0.354 MB · stylized · 2.2 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "69bf6e4cf1de4069aaa12e9c6940a735"}
Credit: "Carter Cameron: Max Form" by KillrWolf (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/69bf6e4cf1de4069aaa12e9c6940a735) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Eggface by jorgefuentes
CC BY 4.0 · 6,949 triangles · 0.201 MB · toon · 0.5 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "80a5389fbf1f4c23899a329668437101"}
Credit: "Eggface" by jorgefuentes (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/80a5389fbf1f4c23899a329668437101) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Knight Groinshot 2 by s0vereignty
CC BY 4.0 · 9,914 triangles · 0.359 MB · stylized · 1.9 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "c3fdb13cf78d44a8a098682e16c60822"}
Credit: "Knight Groinshot 2" by s0vereignty (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/c3fdb13cf78d44a8a098682e16c60822) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Eliza by Hugo Armando Villadiego A
CC BY 4.0 · 30,796 triangles · 1.126 MB · realistic · 1.7 m tall · animatedasset_search {"pick": "3646140a4c66446cbb759d7f8553e40d"}
Credit: "Eliza" by Hugo Armando Villadiego A (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/3646140a4c66446cbb759d7f8553e40d) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Charcter Walking by HamzaGunem
CC BY 4.0 · 1,625 triangles · 0.158 MB · stylized · 1.8 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "31eba0e0bd054a81a6e67879b717e9b4"}
Credit: "Charcter Walking" by HamzaGunem (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/31eba0e0bd054a81a6e67879b717e9b4) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Superfly by ivansilum
CC BY 4.0 · 33,356 triangles · 1.04 MB · toon · 1.7 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "6d256677c0ad4d6a8e2d949e31c875a9"}
Credit: "Superfly" by ivansilum (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/6d256677c0ad4d6a8e2d949e31c875a9) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
106th Trooper by garith
CC BY 4.0 · 5,219 triangles · 0.85 MB · stylized · 1.8 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "890274ad48944a0689b00930931b987a"}
Credit: "106th Trooper" by garith (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/890274ad48944a0689b00930931b987a) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
GATO FINAL 2020 by VieriCarpio
CC BY 4.0 · 30,750 triangles · 0.768 MB · stylized · 1.3 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "9aa921dd58764922b5f25649bd178d60"}
Credit: "GATO FINAL 2020" by VieriCarpio (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/9aa921dd58764922b5f25649bd178d60) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Belly Dance by gigimcleish
CC BY 4.0 · 4,251 triangles · 0.305 MB · toon · 1 m tall · animated · riggedasset_search {"pick": "c8b78529d1b34ee088488e4715eee472"}
Credit: "Belly Dance" by gigimcleish (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/c8b78529d1b34ee088488e4715eee472) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Low Poly Archer (Rigged) by Yanez Designs
CC BY 4.0 · 1,323 triangles · 0.047 MB · low-poly · 1.8 m tall · animatedasset_search {"pick": "572c487b457745f5985b6691dcea0e21"}
Credit: "Low Poly Archer (Rigged)" by Yanez Designs (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/572c487b457745f5985b6691dcea0e21) is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Optimized for the web by paprika3D.
Related
- Free soldier 3D models for three.js (GLB, CC BY)
- Free zombie 3D models for three.js (GLB, CC BY)
- Free pirate 3D models for three.js (GLB, CC BY)
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Counts from the library's catalog on 2026-10-28. The models are their authors' work under the license on each card; paprika3d converted them for the web.