Monster Mash

Monster Mash is a web-based tool that lets you create 3D animated characters starting from simple 2D sketches. You draw the outline of a character part by part, and the tool automatically inflates your flat drawing into a three-dimensional model. Once you have your 3D model, you can switch to animation mode, place control pins on different parts of the character, and record movement by dragging those pins around. The entire workflow happens in a single view in your browser—you don't need to manipulate complex 3D axes or learn traditional modeling software.

The tool works in three main modes: Draw, Inflate, and Animate. In Draw mode, you sketch regions that become parts of your model. Open strokes automatically connect to existing parts, making it easy to add limbs. Inflate mode gives you a rotatable 3D preview. In Animate mode, you place pins to create motion, which can be recorded and played back. You can export your work as a Wavefront .obj file for a single frame or as a full glTF animation (.glb file) to import into software like Blender. You can also work over imported template images or create models from mask images with transparency.

Monster Mash is ideal for artists, animators, or hobbyists who want to quickly bring a sketched character to life in 3D without the steep learning curve of professional suites. It's great for prototyping character designs, creating simple animated loops, or generating 3D assets for small projects. The tool is free for evaluation and research, and its source code is available on GitHub under an open-source license.