YouTube has been around for a while. Although it was originally mostly random videos from people all over the internet, YouTube eventually became lucrative for content creators.
From there, we saw a rise of YouTube celebrities who are able to reach an audience all around the world, just by using the platform. They were able to gain money from their content through promotions and ads, allowing many to live off their YouTube earnings.
But this isn’t the end. Recently, a new breed of YouTube celebrities called VTubers has been gaining prominence in the online world. Thanks to this, those who aren’t keen on showing their face can still take advantage of the platform without giving up their privacy.
In this article, we’ll talk more about what a VTuber is and how you can make one for yourself, inspired by https://cyber-fox.net/blog/best-3d-modeling-software.
What is a VTuber?
VTuber is short for “virtual YouTuber.” Instead of showing their real face while they do their streams or record their videos, they use motion capture technology. The first of its kind was recorded in 2016. And in 2020, it has become so popular that there are more than 20,000 VTubers today.
Some even say that this will be the future of online marketing. With a VTuber, you can do everything that a regular online celebrity can do:
- Partner up with a product or service creator to publish a review of their offer;
- Get approached by brands for sponsorships;
- Boost your online presence by partnering up with other VTubers;
- Offer exclusive discounts to your following.
This is true regardless of the platform, where there’s a live streaming or video element, but because a VTube avatar isn’t a physical presence, you can’t do in-person events. With your avatar, you can present an idealized version of yourself to your audience. It allows you to focus more on creating quality content instead of aesthetics.
Creating Your 3D VTuber Avatar
If you want to break your way into the world of VTubers, the first thing you need is an avatar. At this point, don’t worry about how you’ll create it. You should just have a clear concept of what your avatar is supposed to look like.
Depending on your skill level and the quality of avatar that you want, there are a few ways that you can approach making one:
Commission Someone to Do It for You
Here, all you’ll have to do is tell the artist what you have in mind. Most likely, they’re going to walk you through their process and your involvement in it. This would be great in setting what’s expected of both parties.
In looking for someone to hire, look at their portfolio. Are they able to deliver quality work? More importantly, make sure that they can deliver based on the given timeline. Another consideration should be the kind of artwork that they do. Ideally, they’ve done something similar in the past.
Use Free or Low-Cost Software
If you have zero graphic design skills and an extremely limited budget, your best bet is to go with free or low-cost software. With some, all you need to do is take a selfie. They’d generate a VTuber avatar based on that. You can even do it using your smartphone.
Meanwhile, others allow you to customize your appearance from the hair to the facial expressions. It’s great if you’re looking for a quick one-and-done output. But the odds are that someone would come up with something similar to yours because the customizations would be based on existing designs.
Make One From Scratch
You can also take it up a notch and get something that you can truly call your own.
If you have the skills to complete the 3D avatar, you can have one created through 3D modeling software. Created to help designers make a virtual 3D representation, this is an apt tool to use for this purpose.
By going this route, you’d be able to separate yourself from the rest who rely on cheap software. It’s also a chance to truly show off your talents and get exactly what you’re looking for. Later on, you can even customize the avatar to suit certain occasions or just to mix it up.
We highly recommend going this route if you’re a graphic designer or 3D modeler. It can be another design that you can put on your portfolio if you want. Besides, no one else would show the same passion for making everything perfect.
The Next Steps
Hold on! That’s not the end of it. The avatar is a great first step in working your way to becoming a Vtuber, but you don’t want it to just be standing still, right? Your next steps would include bringing your avatar to life using animation.
For this, you’ll need 3D animation software. Given the technical skills involved with completing every step of the project, many opt to commission the project instead. By choosing to work with experienced professionals, you’d be able to:
- Get rid of all fees associated with purchasing software;
- Have more free time to strategize on how to make the most out of your VTuber avatar;
- Get expert advice on how to make your idea even better.
With everything taken care of, you can now start your new venture as a VTuber. Good luck!
