Chapter 1 -Creating and Exporting Your Metaperson Avatar

?? Learning Goal

In this chapter, you'll learn how to navigate to the AvatarSDK website, choose your avatar, and export a version that's better suited for VRChat-especially for Quest users.

?? Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the AvatarSDK Website

Start by going to https://avatarsdk.com.

As shown below, click the Create Avatar button in the center of the screen to get started.

2. Choose Your Starting Point

You’ll now arrive at the avatar selection screen. If this is your first visit, the site may walk you through some setup steps first (not shown here).

Here, you can:

• Take a selfie
• Browse for photo
• Or click Show to open a previously created avatar
  Click Show to continue with an avatar you've already created.
  

3. Customize Your Avatar

Once loaded, you'll see your avatar in a full-body preview. On the right, you'll find customization options such as:

• Hairstyle
• Clothing
• Accessories
• Body shape and more

Take your time here. A well-prepared avatar is easier to optimize later.
Use the vertical toolbar on the right to adjust your avatar to your liking.

4. Start the Export Process

When you're happy with the result, click the orange Export button on the right.
Click this button to begin the export.

5. Choose Export Settings -Basic (Free)

You now have the option to export your avatar. If this is your first time, you’ll likely have one free export available.
The default export gives you:

• LOD 1 (around 70,000 triangles - high poly)
• Low-resolution textures

This is not ideal for VRChat on Quest and can be heavy for PC avatars as well.
Here’s what the default free export looks like:

6. Recommended Export Settings for VRChat

Instead, consider using the following custom settings:

• LOD 2 (about 20,000 triangles - more Quest-friendly)
• FBX format
• PNG textures in 4K
  This gives you higher-quality textures and a more optimized base to work with later.
  These settings are ideal for VRChat optimization and allow for easier texture editing later.
  

7. Download and Organize Your Avatar

After clicking Export, the avatar will be processed. A .zip file will appear in your Downloads folder.

Now it's time to get organized. Create a dedicated folder on your computer-for example:
?? C:\MyAvatars\Metaperson01

Unzip the downloaded file into this folder.

But don’t stop there:
?? Also place all related files here-such as your exported FBX, textures, Unity project version, plugins, and even Blender tools used in this process.

This way, if you ever want to create another avatar later on, you’ll already have everything prepared and compatible:
-The right software versions
-The correct plugins
-And a clear reference of what you used

? Final Tips

- Even if you're just experimenting, choose export settings that match your final platform (like Quest). It will save you time and performance issues later!
- Add a small README file in that folder describing which version of Unity, Blender, and plugins you used. Your future self will thank you!

 

Chapter 2 -Downloading the Correct Blender Version

?? Learning Goal

In this chapter, you'll download and install the exact Blender version required for this tutorial (version 3.4.1). This ensures that all plugins, including the CATS plugin, work flawlessly without crashes or compatibility issues.

??? Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Go to the Blender Website

Start by going to https://blender.org.
As shown below, click on the Download button in the top navigation bar.

2. Access Previous Versions

On the downloads page, scroll down and click on the link that says “previous versions”.
Click the highlighted link to continue.

3. Choose Any Blender Version

You’ll now land on a page titled “Embrace the Past”, where you can download any past Blender version.
Click on the link that says Download any Blender version.

4. Select Blender 3.4

On the next page, scroll through the list and locate Blender3.4/. This version is essential for compatibility with the CATS plugin we’ll use later.
Click on Blender3.4/ to continue.

5. Download Blender 3.4.1 for Windows

Now choose the correct installer. For most Windows users, this will be:
?? blender-3.4.1-windows-x64.msi

If you’re using a Mac or Linux system, choose the version that matches your platform.
Click this file to begin the download.

6. Organize Your Installer

While the file is downloading, open your avatar folder (the one you created in Chapter 1).
Place the downloaded Blender installer in that folder as well.

? Why? This keeps everything in one place-your avatar, tools, and plugins. If you ever need to reinstall or troubleshoot, you’ll have the exact working version ready.

7. Install Blender

Once the download finishes, double-click the .msi file and follow the installer instructions, just like with any other Windows program.

After installation, you’re ready to move on to the next step: installing the CATS plugin.

? Tip to Remember

If you install a different version of Blender than shown here, the CATS plugin might crash, fail to load, or break your avatar workflow. Stick to version 3.4.1 unless this guide says otherwise

Chapter 3 -Installing the CATS Plugin in Blender

?? Learning Goal

By the end of this chapter, you’ll have the CATS plugin fully installed and ready to use in Blender 3.4.1. This essential tool helps you prepare avatars for VRChat quickly and efficiently.

??? Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Download the Correct Version of the CATS Plugin

Go to the official GitHub page for the CATS plugin:
?? https://github.com/absolute-quantum/cats-blender-plugin/releases
Scroll down to version 0.18.0, then open the Assets section and click on the file cats-blender-plugin-0-18-0.zip.

? Place the downloaded .zip file in the same folder where you store all avatar-related files, just like we did with Blender.

2. Open Blender

Double-click the shortcut for Blender 3.4.1 (it may be on your desktop or in your Start menu).
Click anywhere outside the splash screen to close it.

3. Clear the Scene

Press the A key to select all objects in the default scene, then press Delete on your keyboard to remove them.

 
Now you're left with an empty workspace.

4. Open Blender Preferences

Go to the top-left menu bar and click:
Edit ? Preferences

?? [Screenshot: navigating to Preferences]

5. Go to Add-ons ? Install

In the Preferences window:

• Click the Add-ons tab on the left
• Then click the Install… button in the top-right corner

6. Install the Plugin

Navigate to the folder where you saved the plugin .zip file.
Click on the file once, then click Install Add-on in the bottom-right corner.

7. Activate the Plugin

Once installed, you’ll see the CATS plugin appear in the list.

• Tick the checkbox to enable the plugin
• Then click the three lines in the bottom-left corner and select Save Preferences if Auto Save is not already checked

? Congratulations! You’ve now successfully installed and activated the CATS plugin in Blender 3.4.1.

?? Final Tip

Always double-check that the plugin version and Blender version match the ones recommended in this guide. Even small mismatches can cause Blender to crash or features to disappear.

Chapter 4 -Preparing Your Avatar Model in Blender

?? Learning Goal

In this chapter, you'll learn how to import your FBX avatar, organize the mesh, and prepare the UV maps for optimal performance in Unity and VRChat.

??? Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Import the Avatar

Go to File > Import > FBX (.fbx)

2. Locate and Import Your File

Navigate to the folder where your avatar FBX is stored, select it, and click Import FBX.

3. Focus the View on Your Avatar

Press the A key to select everything, then go to View > Frame Selected to bring the model into view.

4. Enable Texture Preview

Click the Viewport Shading icon to enable material preview and see your avatar's textures.

5. Open the CATS Panel

Press N on your keyboard to open the right-side toolbar. Click the CATS tab.

?? You can drag the panel border to make it wider and collapse the “Supporters” section for better visibility.

6. Join the Mesh

Hover your mouse over the avatar and press A again to make sure everything is selected.
Then expand the Model Options section in CATS and click Join Meshes > All.

? Now your avatar is merged into one clean object, ready for optimization.

7. Add a Second UV Map

Let’s now add an extra UV map for baking and optimization:

?? [Screenshot: Add new UV map]

• Go to the Object Data Properties tab (green triangle icon)
• Scroll to UV Maps
• Click the ? to add a second UV map (usually named UVMap.001)
• Click the camera icon next to it to make it active
  See here (This is how it what it should look like):
  
  
  

?? What is a UV map?
A UV map is like a pattern layout - it tells 3D software how to wrap a 2D image (like a texture) onto a 3D model.
Having a clean, separate UV map is important when you're baking textures for optimization.

8. Save the Material Atlas

Open the Optimization section in the CATS panel.
Click Save Atlas To… and choose your avatar folder.

?? You may be prompted to install a helper addon - follow the prompts if needed.

You’ll see your avatar’s textures change a little - that’s okay! You now have a combined material.

9. Clean Up the UV Maps

Now let's finish up by cleaning and renaming the UV map:

1. In Object Data Properties > UV Maps, delete the original UVMap
2. Select UVMap.001 and click the -button to delete it (don’t worry)
   
3. Now you'll be left with one UV map again - double-click its name and rename it to UVMap
   From this:
   
   To This
   

:

? Final Step -Export to FBX for Unity

10. Save Your Blender File

Always click File > Save As and save your .blend before exporting.

11. Export to FBX

Go to File > Export > FBX (.fbx)

12. Set Export Options

• Choose your target folder (e.g. C:\METAPERSON\avatar)
• Name the file avatar.fbx
• In the right panel under Armature, uncheck Add Leaf Bones ? very important!

·         Then click Export FBX.

?? Final Tip

Keep all related files (textures, Blender file, exported FBX, CATS plugin ZIP) together in a single folder. This makes it much easier to manage versions or switch avatars later.

?? Chapter 4 -Setting Up Unity and Preparing Your Avatar

Now that your avatar is ready in Blender, it’s time to jump into Unity!
We’re going to create a new project, install the right tools, and make sure your avatar looks perfect with proper textures and settings.

?? Step 1 -Install VRChat Creator Companion and Unity

If you haven’t installed Unity and the Creator Companion yet, follow the official instructions on this page:
?? https://vcc.docs.vrchat.com/

Make sure you install Unity version 2022.3.22f1 - this is the one supported by VRChat.

Then download the Creator Companion directly here:
?? https://vrchat.com/home/download

?? Step 2 -Add the VRCFury Repository

VRCFury is a super helpful system that makes it easy to manage things like menus, toggles and parameters for avatars.

?? If you want to learn more about what VRCFury is, check out https://vrcfury.com/

Instead of clicking the button on the website (which sometimes doesn’t work), we’ll add it manually inside the Creator Companion:

1. Go to Settings
2. Click the Packages tab
3. Click Add Repository
4. Paste this URL: https://vrcfury.com/
5. Click Add and wait until it's fully loaded
   

?? Step 3 -Create a New Avatar Project

??Go to the Projects tab

1. Click Create New Project
2. Choose the Unity 2022 Avatar Project template
3. Pick a folder where you want to save it
4. Give your project a name (like stefaniemetaperson)
5. Click Create Project

Now wait for the project to be created and Unity to open - this may take a few minutes.

?? Step 4 -Update SDKs and Install VRCFury

1. In Creator Companion, go to Manage Project
2. Click the green arrows next to VRChat SDK - Base and VRChat SDK - Avatars to update to the latest version
   
3. Scroll down until you find VRCFury and click the ? to install it
   

Once it’s done, click Open Project to launch Unity.

?? Step 5 -Import Your Avatar and Texture into Unity

?? [Screenshot: Assets > Import New Asset]

Inside Unity:

1. Go to Assets > Import New Asset
   
2. Hold down Ctrl and select both your exported .fbx avatar and the atlas texture (e.g. Atlas_00003.png)
3. Click Import
   

You should now see two files in the Assets folder: the FBX and the texture.

?? Tip: Drag the little dot in the bottom-right of the Assets window to make the icons bigger, so it’s easier to see.

?? Step 6 -Texture Settings

Click on the texture file (Atlas_00003.png) and go to the Inspector panel. Apply the following settings:

• ? sRGB (Color Texture): Checked
• ? Alpha is Transparency: Checked
• ? Apply for PC:
• Format: RGB(A) Compressed BC7
• Max Size: 2048
• ? Apply for Android:
• Format: RGB(A) Compressed ASTC 6x6 block
• Max Size: 1024
• ? Apply for iOS:
• Format: RGB(A) Compressed ASTC 6x6 block
• Max Size: 1024

Click Apply when you’re done. Here are the settings:

?? Step 7 -Extract and Configure the Material

1. Click on your FBX file
2. Go to the Materials tab
3. Click Extract Materials
4. Choose the same folder you’re working in (just click "Select Folder")

Now click on the newly created material and set the following:

• Shader: Standard
• Rendering Mode: Cutout
• Set both Metallic and Smoothness sliders to 0
  
  
  

?? Step 8 -Set Rig to Humanoid

?? [Screenshot: Inspector > Rig Tab]

1. Select your FBX again
2. Go to the Rig tab
3. Set Animation Type to Humanoid
4. Click Apply
   

Now click Configure.

Go to the Head tab

• Change Neck1 to just Neck
• Make sure Jaw is set to None - this is important, or your mouth may hang open in VR
  

Click Apply and then Done.

? That’s it! You’ve now successfully set up your Unity project, installed VRCFury, imported your avatar, and correctly configured the materials, textures, and rig.

Let me know when you're ready for the next chapter, or if you'd like this exported as a downloadable file or placed into your tutorial document!

 

h. Ik bouw het op als volgt:

? Chapter 5 -Placing Your Avatar in the Scene and Setting Up the VRC Components

?? What You’ll Learn

In this chapter, we’ll bring your avatar into the Unity scene and set everything up to get it ready for upload.
You’ll learn how to:

• Place your avatar in the scene
• Set the correct viewpoint
• Set up lip sync and fix viseme names if needed
• Configure eye tracking with proper values
• Use blendshapes for blinking, and how to create a blink key if it’s missing

Let’s get started!

?? Step 1 -Drag Your Avatar Into the Scene

• Go to the Project window and find your .fbx file
• Drag it into the Hierarchy
• You’ll now see your avatar appear in the scene

?? Step 2 -Add the VRC Avatar Descriptor

• Select the avatar in the Hierarchy
  
• In the Inspector, click Add Component
• Search for VRC Avatar Descriptor
• Add it - this tells VRChat: "this is an avatar!"
  

??? Step 3 -Set the Viewpoint

• In the Avatar Descriptor, click Edit next to "Viewpoint"
• A small blue sphere appears in front of your avatar’s face
  

?? Place it exactly between the eyes - this is where your "VR eyes" will be in-game
If it’s too high: you’ll feel too tall.
If it’s too low or behind: you’ll feel disconnected from the avatar.
Drag it carefully until it feels natural!

??? Step 4 -Set Up Lipsync (Viseme Blendshapes)

• In the Avatar Descriptor, scroll down to Lip Sync
• Choose Viseme Blend Shape
  

• Drag your Body mesh from the Hierarchy into the Face Mesh slot
  

• Check if all viseme names (like vrc.v_aa, vrc.v_oh) match the names from Blender
  
• ? If the names don’t match:
  
  ? Go back to Blender and rename the shapekeys
  ? Or use a tool like CATS to convert them automatically

?? You can preview visemes in Unity by using the Debug Viseme preview!

?? Step 5 -Set Up Eye Look (Eye Tracking)

• Scroll to Eye Look and enable it
  
  • Below that, you’ll see two sliders under Eye Movements:
  -Calm ? Excited
  -Shy ? Confident

These sliders control how expressive your avatar’s eyes behave in-game.

?? Feel free to adjust them to suit your avatar’s style or personality:

• A setting closer to Calm and Shy gives your avatar more subtle, gentle eye movements
• A setting closer to Excited and Confident will make the eyes more lively and animated

?? There’s no perfect value - just drag the sliders until it feels right for your character!
• In the Hierarchy, find the LeftEye and RightEye bones
• Drag them into the Left Eye and Right Eye slots in the Avatar Descriptor
• In the Hierarchy, find the LeftEye and RightEye bones
• Drag them into the Left Eye and Right Eye slots in the Avatar Descriptor

Use the following settings for realistic movement:

?? Step 6 -Set Up Eyelids with Blink Blendshape

?? [Screenshot: Eyelids section]

• Scroll to the Eyelids section
• Set Type to Blendshapes
  
• Drag your avatar’s body mesh into the Skinned Mesh Renderer field
  

Now select Blink under the dropdown -
But... if it’s missing, you need to create one!

?? Step 7 -Create a Blink Blendshape in Blender

• Open Blender
• Go to the green triangle tab (Object Data Properties)
• Set eyeBlinkLeft and eyeBlinkRight to 1.0
  

• Now the eyes are closed

• Click the dropdown and choose New Shape from Mix

Rename the new shape key to Blink

• Set eyeBlinkLeft and eyeBlinkRight back to 0

• Export the FBX again (same name in unity assetsfolder), Remember to uncheck Add Leaf Bones
  
• Unity will update the avatar automatically

• Now back in Unity, Blink is available - select it
  

? Done! Your avatar now has full eye tracking and blinking!

? You’re Ready!

Your avatar now:

• Is placed correctly
• Has a realistic VR viewpoint
• Can blink using blendshapes
• Reacts to eye movement
• Syncs lips with voice using visemes

Next up: GoGoLoco and final upload! ??