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Virtual artists, also known as Vtubers, are having a moment right now, and that’s largely because the barriers to creating a digital avatar are lower than ever. You can, if you wish, have a professional make a Vtubing model for you for hundreds or a few thousand dollars. Or, you can download software and do it yourself – completely free.
During the holidays, Steam saw the release of VRoid Studio, a program that lets you create 3D models of humanoid characters. You can use your designs in games like VR Chat, or you can adopt them as avatars for streaming. The program allows commercial and non-commercial use which is great because it means you don’t have to worry about another entity owning your creation.
“You don’t have to be artistic to use the program,” reads the Steam store page. “You can use hair to make accessories like horns, wings, tails, glasses, earrings, etc. With enough practice and skill, you can create very creative models. ” The description of the store also states that you have a lot of flexibility to create facial expressions. Reviewers note, however, that the program is demanding and can fall behind schedule unless you’re using a high-end platform. Still, given the price, it’s hard to complain.
While this program was technically available prior to this release, being on Steam – the world’s largest PC games distribution platform – will no doubt do wonders in bringing Vtubing to an even wider audience. Already, VRoid Studio’s community tab is full of people showing off their new avatars, like the one at the top of this article, where Steam user Juliet-Veil showed off an anime version of their fursona. The community is also full of people asking for help navigating the program, as many have never worked with a resource like this before. With these tools becoming more ubiquitous and user-friendly, 2021 will likely see the Vtubing wave reach new heights.
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