Buying a Pre-made VTuber Model
If you want to get started as fast and as cheaply as possible, you can find F2U pre-made model for sale. However, unlike most free models, paid models have customizable features such as hair, skin tone, and clothing options. These tend to give you more creative freedom to make your ideal character.
Pre-made PNGTuber Models
The best place to find purchasable PNGTuber models is by searching for “pngtuber” on Booth. This is one of the few instances where the “pngtuber” tag doesn’t yield better results.
Pre-made Live2D Models
The best places to find purchasable Live2D models is by looking at the “live2d” and “live2d model” tags on Booth.
Recommendations
One that I’ve seen used that is highly customizable is this Chibi model by 0x4682B4.
Pre-made VRoid 3D Models
The best place to find purchasable VRoid 3D models is by looking at the “3D Characters” category on Booth.
Adopting a Pre-made VTuber Model
Alternatively, you can look for “adoptables”: VTuber designs and models that are often created for fun, commissioned but unpaid for, or below to existing VTubers who are rebranding. Because of this, adoptables are often times less generic and more set in a theme, as they may have been someone else’s themed character.
The best places to find adoptable models are:
- #pngtuber #adoptable on Twitter
- #live2d #adoptable on Twitter
- #vtuberadopt on Twitter
Commissioning a VTuber Model
For those less artistically-inclined, you can check sites like VGen for artists to bring your vision to life.
Making It Your Own VTuber Model
Character Design
I recommend watching the video above by Squiiji on what makes a character design memorable for some general advice when trying to come up with a design.
Key Takeaways:
- Color Palette: If you have a primary color in mind, you can utilize tools like Adobe Color or Coolors to find a color palette.
- Silhouette: Having a strong silhouette will allow people to identify your character more easily.
- Complexity & Clarity: The balance between being detailed enough to be interesting but not so busy that it’s distracting.
- Will your design hold up if someone is watching on their phone?
- Do the “marketable plush” test: Would you be able to chibify your character while still making sure they are recognizable?
- Focal Points: Since VTubers are often seen only from the waist-up, focus your details on those areas.
- The face (namely the eyes, eyebrows, and mouth) should be key focal points.
- Motifs: Repeating motifs will allow people to identify you more easily.
- How do you take something like an icon, design, or color design and transform it to make it your own and instantly recognizable?