Preparing your model for Vtube Studio - ebikatsudon/VTubeStudio GitHub Wiki

This chapter covers how to prepare your own Live2D models for import into VTube Studio. It's assumed that your Live2D model is finished and that you have a basic understanding of what Live2D is and how it works (e.g. Live2D parameters).

There isn’t really any specific special preparation you need to do with your Live2D model so it works with VTube Studio. As explained in the chapter "VTube Studio Settings," you can map any face tracking parameter to any Live2D parameter, so you could theoretically choose parameter IDs and ranges however you want.

However, it is recommended to adhere to the default IDs and parameter ranges (min/max). Please also note that only the Live2D parameter IDs matter to VTube Studio, not the Live2D parameter names.

When you’re done with your model, export it via File → Export For Runtime → Export as .moc3 file.

Make sure to choose the following settings:

• "Export Version" set to "SDK 3.0" or "SDK 3.3" or "SDK 4.0" (recommended).
• "Export Physics settings file (physics3.json)". If you don’t to this, your model will not have physics. Always export your physics file like this and never independently from the model, as this is the only way to make sure the physics file is "registered" with the model (in the .model3.json file) so it’s usable by VTube Studio. If no physics file is registered, VTube Studio will use the first one it finds in the model folder.
• Export Types: SDK

This will create a folder with the following files (ignore the files marked red). If your model fails to load later in VTube Studio, make sure all files are there.

A short overview about what these files do:

• <model>.model3.json
  • Main Live2D model index file.
  • Human-readable (can be opened/edited in text-editor)
  • Has references to all other files. VTube Studio looks for this file.
• <model>.moc3
  • Model binary file. Has all model data, such as vertices, deformers, parameters, etc.
• <model>.cdi3.json
  • Model display information file. Not needed by VTube Studio.
  • Human-readable.
• <model>.physics3.json
  • Has all the information about your physics setup.
  • Human-readable.
• <model>.<resolution> (here: akari.4096)
  • Contains your texture(s). VTube Studio also supports models with multiple and/or large textures. Be advised that using large textures may lag or even crash the app on mobile.

Make sure you have all these files in a folder before you proceed. I usually call this folder <model>_vts, but you can choose any name.

If you want to use Live2D Animations and Live2D Expressions, put them in this folder as well or in a subfolder (see the two folders in the screenshot above). How expressions and animations work will be explained later. You should also add a model icon into that folder (any filename, .png or .jpg, recommended 512x512 pixels).