How To Upload A Custom Avatar VRCHAT TUTORIAL EP: 1

Introduction

If you're eager to personalize your VRChat experience with a custom avatar, you're in the right place. This tutorial will guide you through the simple steps to upload your first VRChat avatar, ensuring that even beginners can follow along easily. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Prepare Your Tools

1. Access VRChat: Go to VRChat.net and sign in with your VRChat account (note that you cannot use your Steam account for this).
2. Download Necessary Software:
   • Download Unity.
   • Download the VRChat SDK.
   • Download the Cube Unity Shaders (link provided in the original video description).
3. Organize Your Files: Place all downloaded files on your desktop for easy access.

Step 2: Find an Avatar

1. Visit VRC Mods to find an avatar. Look for the most downloaded avatars as they are usually the best-rated and easiest to use.
2. Download an avatar of your choice and ensure it's saved on your desktop.

Step 3: Create a New Unity Project

1. Open Unity. If you don’t have an account, you will need to create one.
2. Create a new project, naming it meaningfully instead of “test” to avoid confusion later.
3. Once the project is opened, drag and drop the VRChat SDK into your Unity folder and import it. Wait for the import to complete.

Step 4: Import Cubes Unity Shaders

1. Import the Cube Unity Shaders to ensure your avatar displays correctly. Without this, your avatar may appear purple or distorted.

Step 5: Add Your Avatar Model

1. Drag the downloaded avatar model into Unity and ensure that all its contents are imported.
2. Locate your model in the Unity folder (under the assets or by the avatar name) and set its position to zero on all axes.

Step 6: Configure the VRChat Avatar Descriptor

1. Add a component by typing in "VRC" and selecting the VRC Avatar Descriptor.
2. Position the camera for your avatar accurately.

Step 7: Set Up Animations (if any)

1. If your avatar comes with custom animations, locate them under the animations section.
2. Utilize the custom animation override and assign the animations to your avatar’s standing and sitting settings.

Step 8: Change Polygon Limit (Optional)

1. Go to VRC SDK and find the control panel. Right-click and select "Show in Folder".
2. Navigate to Dependencies > VRChat > Editor and locate the control panel file.
3. Search for the polygon limit (default is 20,000) and change it to 60,000 for more detailed avatars. Save your changes.

Step 9: Build and Publish Your Avatar

1. Click on Build & Publish. You might be prompted to save your scene; this can be skipped.
2. Name your avatar and check the relevant box before clicking on Upload.
3. Allow Unity to upload the avatar without interruption to avoid freezing issues.

Step 10: Use Your Custom Avatar

1. Open VRChat to see your uploaded avatar in action.
2. Navigate to the “Your Avatars” section to select and use your new avatar.

Congratulations! You now have your custom avatar uploaded and ready to use in VRChat. In future tutorials, we’ll explore how to add your own custom animations and more!

Keyword

VRChat, avatar, upload, Unity, SDK, Cube Unity Shaders, VRC Mods, animations, polygon limit, custom avatars.

FAQ

Q: Do I need a specific account to upload avatars in VRChat?
A: Yes, you must sign in with a VRChat account; a Steam account is not sufficient.

Q: What if my avatar appears purple?
A: This typically happens if the Cube Unity Shaders are not imported. Ensure you've imported them correctly.

Q: Can I use any avatar from VRC Mods?
A: Yes, as long as the avatar is compatible with VRChat guidelines.

Q: Is there a polygon limit for avatars?
A: The default limit is 20,000 polygons, but you can change this to 60,000 by following the steps in the tutorial.

Q: What should I do if Unity freezes during upload?
A: Avoid clicking or touching anything on your computer during the upload process to prevent issues.