MakeHuman model is too large when imported into Blender 3D? Here's why, and this is how to fix it

Operating System: macOS Sierra
Blender Version: 2.78a
MakeHuman: Version: 1.1.0


The Issue:

So you've made a model to in MakeHuman and you've exported it using the new mhx2.

Export window for MakeHuman 1.1.0

Now it is time to work on it in Blender but when you use the MHX2 Runtime, the model is way too large.

Oversized model imported to Blender 3D

What Happened?

If we look at the statistics for the model in MakeHuman we find the height of the model is 168.69 cm.

Height of the model is 168.69 cm

Now if we look at the export options in Makehuman, we find the scale units were set to decimeter.
That means the model exported out to 16.869 dm. So what went wrong?

The MakeHuman model was set to export at 16.869 dm

The MakeHuman model was set to export at 16.869 dm

By default, Blender is set to its own unit system. So the model was imported at  16.869 Blender Units.

The model was imported at 16.869 Blender units instead of decimeters

What's the fix?

Just export the model from MakeHuman again but this time, set the scale units to meters.

 

Scale Units option set to meters instead of decimeters for MakeHuman export

Scale Units option set to meters instead of decimeters for MakeHuman export

In Blender, before importing the Model with the MHX2 Runtime, go to the properties panel on the right hand side of the screen, select the Scene properties and change the Units Presets to Meters. 

Default Units for Scene Properties

Units set to Meters in Scene Properties

Units set to Meters in Scene Properties

When the model is imported now, it will measure about 1.68 meters in height.

Model imported at correct size

Model now measure 1.68 meters in height