Vtuber is short for Virtual YouTuber, the generally-accepted name for streamers who use a virtual avatar as a proxy to animate their actions and emotions on streams. This can be done with a variety of tools like Adobe Character Animator or Live2D for rigging, plus you could use voice changers and other tools for props and more robust reactions in live streams. This technology started becoming popular in the mid-2010s years; Kizuna AI seems to have coined the phrase “virtual YouTuber” though the concept originally appeared from a company in Japan making announcements with their mascot. Since 2018, vtuber agency Nijisanji popularized Live2D software, helping to pave the way for vtubing to boom in 2020 globally.
What is a Vtuber?
A Virtual Streamer or Youtuber, who streams their voice and onscreen gameplay while using a facerigged digital avatar. A fun, colorful character that mimics your movements and talks for you.
A Vtuber has a body rigged to capture the motions from a webcam or mocap suit, and is not to be confused with a PNGtuber that’s much more simple. PNGtuber avatars tend to be simpler talksprites that might react to sound using an app or the Discord Streamkit.
These virtual streamer avatars generally have two main camps: 2D and 3D characters. Flatter 2-dimensional models can generally be more limited, but can be more accessible for a beginner since you could draw your own model. We have a guide elaborating on those steps! 3D models conversely have a higher skill floor, but will have more potential for iteration like holding props or adding other animations. Flat characters tend to lean more on light warping, or switching to a separate sprite- 3D characters obviously have more depth of options in comparison, though they are notably an ‘expensive option’ to start with.
“Vtuber” is an umbrella term since it covers all types of ‘virtual streamers’ who use an avatar to represent themselves instead of a direct camera feed. This means that pngtubers are a kind of vtuber. Most streamers have a variety of different models to suit their streaming needs; some games are more resource-intensive and that’s where a pngtuber can really shine.
Where should you get started with making a vtuber?
Planning your character and stream is a great way to start with your journey into vtubing. Does your character have their own personality that you’ll roleplay, or is it more of your own persona? What types of games will you stream, or will you show a totally different kind of content? When it comes to variety, this griffon is truly a hybrid beast– he streams in both dimensions, so he works in both 2D and 3D interchangeably as well as a mix of content. It can be great practice to simply show what you like to do onstream, and gather feedback as you start.
It can be a really good idea to commission a custom model or use a template of some kind, unless you’re an experienced digital artist. Making your own vtuber model requires knowledge of Layers and Clipping Masks, as well as a lot of creative vision for motion design. It’s a good time now to note the differences between 2D and 3D mediums, and what your computer and internet can even handle for live streaming.
What types of games will you stream,
or will you show a totally different kind of content?
Once you have a basic character made, you can think more about your stream’s decorations and general style. There are also additional tools to help you make fun effects that track your controller or tablet inputs like SpudTablet, and you can use TriggerFyre to let your chat interact more as well. Planning and preparation can really set your stream apart.
Plan your character
What do they love or hate? What are their colors? Will you use a voice changer? Can you cosplay them?
Think about decorations
What are you putting onscreen, and can you add fun extras? Can you plan for accessories?
Plan out your stream
Do you want any chat interaction? Will you have actions or alerts that chat can trigger?
Try to remember to take time and sketch ideas and plan things for your stream even when you’re not live! Study other vtubers or even use trello.com to help keep notes about your virtual world. Don’t forget to check out the Streamlabs website even if you use OBS Studio- adding Twitch Alerts to your stream is the foundation for engagement!
Get ready to start drawing your model
Every moving part should be separated, and you always need to fully draw and color overlapping parts, to help with movements that might reveal those things behind the foreground portions. You might want to start with a list of parts as a template so you can be sure to include everything you need.
Learn more about the layers involved and start sketching your character with the tips in this other tutorial. There are tons of resources for artists to help get you started, like this guide. If you aren’t an artist, you can always plan your character sheet and commission someone to help make you something custom.
It's time to stream!
Twitch was made to share your video game adventures, or even just chat with your viewers. You could watch cooking videos or play through your classic game backlog. There are even gimmicks on Twitch like hot-tub streaming, and thanks to the layering in OBS you can make some fun set pieces to play to a trend. Maybe even fill up a dance floor with effects that your viewers can trigger— always plan surprises for your audience!
