> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://animotive.gitbook.io/animotive-kimodo/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://animotive.gitbook.io/animotive-kimodo/getting-started/quick-start.md).

# Quick Start

This page takes a fresh Unreal Engine 5.7 install to a generated animation in the example scene — install the plugin, pick a backend, and click **Generate with Kimodo**. Target time: under fifteen minutes.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/kUM7lmtp-o4>" %}

## Before you start

1. **Unreal Engine 5.7** is installed and launches. The plugin is editor-only and targets exactly this version.
2. A project you can experiment in. A fresh blank project is fine.
3. *(MetaHuman users only)* In the **Epic Games Launcher**, make sure **MetaHuman Creator Core Data** is installed for your Unreal Engine version. The Quick Start below uses the bundled **Soma** example character, which needs none of this — but if you plan to follow [Getting Started with MetaHumans](/animotive-kimodo/getting-started/getting-started-metahumans.md) next, install it now.

You do **not** need to enable Control Rig, IK Rig, or Animation Modifier Library by hand — Animotive Kimodo declares them as dependencies and enables them for you.

## Install from Fab

The supported install channel is Fab.

1. Open the **Fab** marketplace, from a browser at [fab.com](https://www.fab.com) or the **Fab** tab in the Epic Games Launcher.
2. Find the [**Animotive Kimodo** listing](https://www.fab.com/listings/c746ffa2-7d6c-4a85-b0d8-eec7090636f8) and choose **Add to project**.
3. Pick your project and confirm. Fab downloads the plugin into `<Project>/Plugins/`.
4. Launch the project, then go to **Edit → Plugins**, search for `Kimodo Exporter`, tick **Enabled**, and restart the editor when prompted.

The plugin is currently in beta and is labelled as such in the **Plugins** browser.

> **Manual install (fallback).** If you can't use Fab, close the editor, copy the plugin folder into `<Project>/Plugins/`, then re-open and enable **Animotive Kimodo** under **Edit → Plugins**. The folder should end with `<Project>/Plugins/ProjectKimodoUnrealEnginePlugin/KimodoExporter.uplugin`.

## Set up a backend

After the restart, the **First-Run Setup** window opens automatically. (You can reopen it any time from **Tools → Animotive Kimodo → First-Run Setup**.) This is where you choose where generation runs and enter the matching details.

| Backend                       | Best for                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| ----------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Animotive Kimodo** (hosted) | **The fastest and easiest way to get started.** A managed cloud service — paste an API key and go. A **free trial** is included, offering up to **5 minutes of generated animation per month**. *Recommended.* |
| **Self-Hosted (HTTP)**        | A Kimodo server your team already runs.                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Local (Docker)**            | The model running on your own GPU through Docker Desktop.                                                                                                                                                      |

For the quickest start, choose **Animotive Kimodo**:

1. Set **Backend** to **Animotive Kimodo**.
2. Click **Get API Key** to open the Animotive portal, sign in, and copy your key.
3. Paste it into **API Key**. (Use **Test API Key** to confirm it works.)
4. Leave **Load demo scene** set to **Soma** — this drops you straight into a ready-to-generate example scene.
5. Click **Save & Setup**.

Full details for each backend live in [Setup](/animotive-kimodo/setup/plugin-install.md): [Animotive Kimodo (Hosted)](/animotive-kimodo/setup/animotive-backend.md), [Self-Hosted (HTTP)](/animotive-kimodo/setup/remote-backend.md), and [Docker (Local)](/animotive-kimodo/setup/docker-local.md).

## Generate in the example scene

Saving with the **Soma** demo loads `LV_SomaDemo` and opens its Level Sequence in Sequencer — a character with a prompt already set, ready to generate.

1. *(Optional)* On the **Animotive Kimodo** track, double-click the existing prompt section to see or edit the prompt.

   ![Animotive Kimodo prompt section before opening it](/files/3zlVwClSiqNy2D5p8eJC)

   ![Animotive Kimodo Prompt window opened from the section](/files/rDuaoqlLTHIZ7PoOHugd)
2. Click **Generate with Kimodo** in the Sequencer toolbar.

![Generate with Kimodo button in the Sequencer toolbar](/files/zxjntx61XlfDn9uhVqs1)

The request appears in the **Animotive Kimodo Monitor** (open it from **Tools → Animotive Kimodo → Monitor** if it isn't already docked). Generations typically return in seconds; you don't need to watch it closely — glance at the Monitor only if a run seems stuck. When the row reaches **Completed**, the animation is already imported, retargeted, and placed on your character. Scrub the timeline to see it play.

![Animotive Kimodo Monitor opened from Tools → Animotive Kimodo → Monitor](/files/93xcHQZiIofrbrTJZoW1)

If a check fails or a run errors, see [Troubleshooting](/animotive-kimodo/going-further/troubleshooting.md). The most common cause is the plugin not being enabled or the backend not being configured.

## Next steps

* [Getting Started with MetaHumans](/animotive-kimodo/getting-started/getting-started-metahumans.md) — animate a MetaHuman, including your own custom characters.
* [Preparing Your Level for Animotive Kimodo](/animotive-kimodo/getting-started/preparing-your-level.md) — build your own scene from scratch.
* [Prompting with Animotive Kimodo](/animotive-kimodo/getting-started/prompting-with-animotive-kimodo.md) — write better prompts and pin poses with constraints.