So over the course of just a few days I've managed to make a Vtuber model for free! I'd like to see what other artists here end up creating.
Here's the list of software I used:
On Steam:: Download "VRoid Studio" https://store.steampowered.com/app/1486350/VRoid_Studio_v0131/ ((is used to make the model))
On Steam:: Download "3Tene" https://store.steampowered.com/app/871170/3tene/ ((used to animate the model with or without webcam, has emote animations built in you can hotkey))
With Pixiv account (you can make one with a google login):: Download VDraw (Free Trial) https://ogulabo.booth.pm/items/939389 ((with just mic audio, animates the face very well, without expressions))
Regular download:: VSeeFace https://www.vseeface.icu/ ((used to animate model with a slight wind, no emotes, various expression capture settings and ability to turn some off))
First and foremost is building the model (with VRoid). I used the base male model, adjusted the eyes basically like a Sims game. In the hair section, I figured out how to do "layers" of hair to build up and down the hair. The coloring highlights and shadows is important but less so at this stage inside this program as you'll see.
Here's a highlight of me working on the hair for the first time in VRoid. Deleting and adjusting layers as I play with the webbing.
Below is a link to a highlight video, at least 20min long of hair being built
the rest of the twitch links are to 30sec or shorter clips
After you're done with your model, adjust the expressions and other such things. Keep in mind you can import and export things like the irises. Highlights can also be on their own section and do not NEED to be on the iris. I just liked the look. I've also mirroed my eyes, but you don't have to.
Here's VRoid's default, and then the one I built by eyeballing (ha... pun) what Albedo's eyes look like in Genshin Impact.
From there, "Export" (if you're just doing testing and such at first, or gonna be compressing down like I am for streaming, make sure to change the "materials" count down to 2 or 4. It'll be in a drop down on the left somewhere in the Export menu area). OH before you export make sure you go to the "Bone" section somewhere in the Export or Hair or Body section. It's somewhere. Without the "bones" it's hair will be a statue on your head.
After that with the .vrm file, you just need to load it up or import it into a model reader software which is where the other programs come in.
First on the list is testing VDraw with just a microphone. No webcam.
Next is 3tene. This one requires prob the most CPU it seems since it's also a login to Steam + the program. Without a webcam. It has built in emotes like the Stretching I use a hotkey to trigger. It also has "breathing" that's pretty obvious.
Then in VSeeFace there's a few settings.
First is "Simple" expression tracking. It means your model will only access the Fun / Angry / Shocked expressions that you've set up for it. This test was done with a webcam.
Next up is VSeeFace with "No Expression" tracking vs "No Face Detection". "No Face Detection" means no webcam on at all, and it just reacts to your voice. This program does not have a "breathing" it seems, but you can turn on a wind and control the direction and intensity levels.
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PLEASE let me know if you have questions. I am happy to offer help with this very odd but fun exercise I've done over the last few days. I think VRoid has pressure sensitivity capabilities because all of the hair I made with my tablet. And when working on the eyes at first, it seemed like I had access to pressure changes with the brushes built into the program too.