Blender Noob Makes Easy VRChat Avatar!

Moving around in the Southwest can be challenging, but I managed to focus on my goal: modeling a basic avatar for either game development or VRChat. With my only previous modeling experience being high school courses in Autodesk Inventor and Fusion 360, I turned to the internet and discovered that Blender would be the tool I needed.

Despite my initial struggles with Blender, I decided to give it another shot and resorted to YouTube tutorials for guidance. Here's the step-by-step process I followed to create my first VRChat avatar:

Step 1: Delete the Default Cube

Every tutorial suggests starting by deleting the default cube in Blender. It’s like an offering to ensure your project goes smoothly. So, I deleted the cube.

Step 2: Import Reference Images

Next, I imported reference images of a very masculine figure that I wanted to model my avatar after.

Step 3: Decide on Poly Count

I had to decide whether to make a high, mid, or low-poly model. Given my lack of artistic skill, I chose to go with a low-poly model.

Step 4: Block Out Body Parts

I blocked out different body parts separately: the body, arms, legs, and head. This process was easier than expected; I simply created rough shapes and left them as they were, since it was a low-poly model.

Step 5: Assemble the Parts

After shaping the separate parts, I merged them together by aligning the vertices. Once assembled, the model looked like this:

Basic Model

Although it looked decent, it lacked personality. I added a few touches to give it more character.

Step 6: Rigging

Rigging was surprisingly straightforward. I created the rig and conformed it to the body. Then came weight painting, which ensures the mesh follows the bones correctly and prevents awkward deformations.

Step 7: Texturing and Effects

I added textures and applied effects. If I were to do it again, I would apply these before rigging. I used the solidify modifier to create a cool effect, but I had to abandon it due to numerous issues.

Step 8: Unity Integration

For the final step, I imported the model into Unity. Setting the rig to humanoid and clicking "Apply" did most of the work. After adding the necessary components for VRChat, such as the VRChat descriptor and adjusting the camera gizmo to the avatar's face, I successfully uploaded the avatar to VRChat.

I made a VRChat avatar! Watch my journey of creating a VRChat world in one day here.

Keywords

Blender
VRChat
Avatar
Modeling
Rigging
Texturing
Unity

FAQ

Q1: What software do I need to model a VRChat avatar? A1: Blender for modeling and Unity for integrating your avatar into VRChat.

Q2: Why do all Blender tutorials suggest deleting the default cube? A2: It’s a common practice, almost like a symbolic gesture, to start your project from scratch.

Q3: How do I decide on the poly count for my avatar? A3: It depends on your skill level and the desired visual quality. Beginners might opt for low-poly models as they are simpler to create and manage.

Q4: What is weight painting in Blender? A4: Weight painting ensures that the mesh follows the bones correctly during animation, preventing deformations.

Q5: Can I add textures and effects after rigging? A5: Yes, but it can be more efficient to apply textures and effects before rigging to avoid complications.

Q6: How do I upload my avatar to VRChat via Unity? A6: Import your model, set the rig to humanoid, add the VRChat descriptor, adjust the camera gizmo, and then upload the avatar. Unity makes this process relatively straightforward.