VR Chat With Models - How to Start a Model Store on VRChat

VRChat's model is based on user engagement. It encourages a diverse community to create and share virtual worlds. The platform offers intuitive tools to help users with little or no experience in 3D modeling bring their visions into reality.

Start the avatar creation process by downloading or importing a 3D model. Use a 3D editing program like Mixamo for automatic rigging and animations.

What is VR Chat with Models?

VR Chat with Models allows users to create, share, and customize avatars, virtual worlds, and experiences. Avatars are the primary way in which people identify themselves in VR and can project their personality, interact with others, or explore new identities.

The performance of an avatar is affected by many factors, such as the number of meshes in the body and head, the size, complexity and number of materials used in the skinned models, the rig, and any PhysBones. In general, avatars with a few body meshes and materials perform best.

The 3D modeling is a complex process that requires a solid understanding of Blender and Unity. To help beginners, there are a variety of tutorials available online (e.g., Rainhet's Blender 3D Avatar Tutorial 2022). Many avatars also have shape keys (also known as blend shapes or blend forms), which modify the model according to vertex positions. This can be helpful when creating an avatar that is animated when speaking, but it can negatively impact performance.

How do I use VR Chat with Models?

It can be intimidating to create a VRChat Avatar if you're not an experienced developer or have no experience in 3D modeling. The VRChat Creator Companion is a tool that helps beginners install Unity and create a world or avatar using VRChat's SDK Control Panel.

When you're ready, look for a model that has a humanoid-rig, a forward-facing position, separate fingers, and limbs not attached to other parts of the body. A clearly defined chin and high up head are also desirable, as they can help you convey emotions with facial expressions.

Sketchfab is a popular source for free or paid 3D models, and its model inspector lets you check out geometry, textures and materials in real-time. Other stores include Gumroad, which has a focus on anime-inspired avatars and BOOTH, which offers a variety of subculture and fursuit options. If you plan to purchase a VRChat model, make sure it has been "rigged" and that the creator has a license.

How do I get started with VR Chat with Models?

It takes work to open a VRC-style store, but the rewards can be great. To be successful, you must have a plan and offer quality products that meet customer needs. You must also be prepared to invest money and time into improving your design, skills, and offerings.

Before uploading your World, you must ensure that it meets VRChat’s technical specifications and content gating requirements. You must also give the world a name and add content warnings.

To create an avatar, you will need to have 3D modeling, texturing, and rigging skills. There are several tools available online that can help you create a rigged model, such as Mixamo and Rigify.

Alternatively, you can purchase a rigged model from a virtual reality (VR) asset store. Be sure to read the license terms, as many models are created by third parties. To use a rigged VRChat model, you need to have at least Trust Rank 3. You also need at least one friend who has a higher Trust rank.

What are the advantages of VR Chat with Models?

Avatars are a fundamental part of the VRChat experience, giving users an identity that is unique and personal to them. The community has crafted a variety of avatars with unique aesthetics and styles, providing users an immersive platform to socialize with friends.

Aside from community creations, some stores sell avatar models that are already ready for VRChat. For example, the BOOTH and Gumroad stores have large collections of anime-style avatars and furry avatars respectively. If purchasing avatars outside of these stores, ensure that they are fully rigged and optimized for VRChat by reading the 'Validations' section. Also, make sure to test the model for animations and finger movement.

For models that require lip sync, ensure the model has Blend Shape keys (named differently depending on software) for animations like smiling and speaking. Check the model's skeleton as well to see if it is VR-ready. If not, the model may have too many polygons or be too heavy for the SDK to load.