How to DIY: VTuber Model Creator
A custom animated avatar (Live2D or 3D) that tracks my face and movements for streaming, with a unique design that represents my brand
Tools used in this guide
4How to DIY: VTuber Model Creator
A step-by-step guide to doing this yourself — honestly.
What you're really trying to do
A custom animated avatar (Live2D or 3D) that tracks my face and movements for streaming, with a unique design that represents my brand
DIY Cost
$0-75
40-80 hours to learn
Hire Cost
$150-$2,000+
Done for you
You could save $150-$2,000+ by doing it yourself
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow along at your own pace. Most people finish in 40-80 hours.
Design your character in a drawing app
~10.5hStart with a full character design sheet — front view, expressions, color palette. Use Clip Studio Paint or even free Krita. If you can't draw, commission just the character art (not the rigging) for $50-150, which is way cheaper than a full VTuber model. You need separate layers for each movable part: head, eyes, eyebrows, mouth, hair, body, arms.
Rig with Live2D Cubism (2D) or VRoid Studio (3D)
~13.5hFor 2D models: Live2D Cubism Editor (free tier available) is the industry standard. Import your layered PSD, place mesh deformers on each part, and set up parameters for eye blink, mouth open, head tilt, etc. Follow the official Live2D tutorials — they're thorough. For 3D: VRoid Studio is completely free and lets you build a 3D anime model from scratch with sliders, no modeling skills needed.
Set up face tracking
~16.5hUse VTube Studio (free on Steam) for Live2D models — it uses your webcam or phone camera to track your face and drive the avatar in real-time. For 3D models, VSeeFace (free) works great with VRM files exported from VRoid. Calibrate the tracking, adjust sensitivity for eye and mouth movements, and set up hotkeys for expressions and poses.
Integrate with OBS for streaming
~19.5hIn OBS, add your VTuber app as a Game Capture or Window Capture source. Use color key or the built-in transparent background feature in VTube Studio/VSeeFace to overlay your avatar on your stream. Set up scene transitions, toggle expressions with hotkeys, and test everything before going live. The Spout2 plugin gives better performance than window capture.
When to hire instead
You want a highly detailed Live2D model with complex rigging (jiggle physics, multiple outfits, detailed hair movement, toggle accessories), a completely original 3D model that goes beyond VRoid's anime style, or you need it done in under a week. Professional riggers spend 20-40 hours on a single high-quality model.
No time? Skip to hiringReal talk
If you go the 3D route with VRoid Studio, you can have a decent-looking VTuber model in a single afternoon — it's genuinely that accessible. The 2D Live2D route is where things get hard: proper rigging takes real skill and patience, and a poorly rigged model looks worse than a simple VRoid one. My honest advice: start with VRoid to see if VTubing is for you, then invest in a professional Live2D model once you've built an audience.
Tools You'll Need
Hand-picked for this project. We only recommend tools we'd actually use.
Essential Tools
You need these to get started.
OBS Studio
Free
Stream with your VTuber avatar overlaid on your content. OBS handles scene composition, chroma keying, and streaming.
Why we recommend it
OBS is essential for VTuber streaming — it composites your avatar over gameplay with transparent background support.
Nice-to-Have Tools
Not required, but they make the job easier.
Canva Pro
$12.99/mo
Create stream overlays, panels, and social media graphics that match your VTuber brand across all platforms.
Why we recommend it
Your VTuber brand needs consistent graphics across Twitch, YouTube, and social — Canva templates make this easy.
Pro-Level Upgrades
For when you want results that look professional.
Blender
Free
Create fully custom 3D VTuber models beyond VRoid's anime style. Model, texture, and rig characters with professional-grade tools.
Why we recommend it
When you outgrow VRoid templates and want a truly unique 3D model, Blender is the professional-grade free option.
Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Our Verdict
Difficulty
hard
Learning time
40-80 hours
DIY cost
$0-75
Hire cost
$150-$2,000+
Choose DIY if...
- 3 of 3 tools are free
- You want to learn a new skill
- Budget matters more than time
Choose Hire if...
- The learning curve is steep
- You need professional-quality results
- Your time is worth more than the cost
- You have a tight deadline
Learn from video tutorials
Sometimes watching is easier than reading. Search for tutorials:
Join the conversation
See what other people are saying about doing this yourself:
Prefer to hire a pro?
No shame in that. Sometimes your time is worth more than the money you'd save. These top-rated freelancers specialize in VTuber Model Creator and can get it done fast.
Sakura Live2D
@live2d_sakura · Level 2
VTuber Pro Studio
@vtuberprostudio · Fiverr Pro
ChibiRig
@chibi_rigging · Level 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really do vtuber model creator myself?▼
What tools do I need for DIY vtuber model creator?▼
How long does it take to learn vtuber model creator?▼
When should I hire a vtuber model creator instead of doing it myself?▼
Is it worth paying $150-$2,000+ for a freelancer vs doing it myself for $0-75?▼
Find a VTuber Model Creator pro on Fiverr
Skip the learning curve. Top-rated VTuber Model Creator freelancers start at $150-$2,000+.