Display an Avatar

From exporting an avatar to displaying it in the viewer

This page has been machine translated and may contain inaccuracies.
In this guide, the avatar display app of VRC Avatar Viewer is referred to as the "Viewer App", and the motion capture app (Motion Capture for VRC Avatar Viewer) is referred to as the "Capture App".
VRC Avatar Viewer
VRC Avatar Viewer
1

Download

Download the viewer (VRC Avatar Viewer) from the BOOTH distribution page. The exporter will be installed from VCC (VRChat Creator Companion) in the next Step 2.

  1. Access the BOOTH distribution page
  2. Download the viewer
  3. Extract the downloaded ZIP file
BOOTH distribution page
BOOTH distribution page
BOOTH distribution page
Downloaded file
Tips
  • The viewer can be launched immediately after extracting the ZIP file (no installation required)
  • The exporter will be installed from VCC (VRChat Creator Companion) in the next Step 2
2

Install the Exporter

The exporter is a Unity editor extension (like a plugin). Install it from VCC (VRChat Creator Companion).

  1. Open VCC and click Settings → Packages → Add Repository
VCC Settings button
Click "Settings" in the bottom left
Packages tab in Settings screen
Click the "Packages" tab
Add Repository button
Click "Add Repository"
  1. Enter and add the following URL https://vrcavatarviewer.com/vpm/index.json
Enter URL
Enter the URL (copy and paste) and click "Add"
Repository added
Repository has been added
  1. From the VCC project list, open Manage Project for your avatar project
Manage Project button
Click "Manage Project" for your project
  1. Find "VRC Avatar Viewer Exporter" in the package list and install it using the + button
VRC Avatar Viewer Exporter installation
Click the + button for "VRC Avatar Viewer Exporter"
Installation complete
Installation complete
Note: If NDMF / Modular Avatar is installed, it will automatically integrate. There is no problem if they are not installed.
3

Export Your Avatar

In VRC Avatar Viewer, avatars are handled in a proprietary format called .avab. Use the exporter to convert your avatar to this format. The original avatar data will not be modified at all, so you can work with peace of mind.

  1. Select the avatar you want to export in Unity's Hierarchy (the object list on the left side of the screen) Click the root (topmost parent object) of the avatar
  2. With it selected, right-click → VRC Avatar Viewer → Export Avatar (.avab)
  3. A save dialog will appear. Choose the save location and filename, then click "Save"
  4. A progress bar will appear and the export will proceed
  5. When "Export succeeded." is displayed, you're done
Select avatar in Hierarchy
Select avatar in Hierarchy
Select Export Avatar from right-click menu
Select Export Avatar from right-click menu
Save dialog
Save dialog
Progress bar during export
Exporting...
Export succeeded dialog
Export succeeded dialog
Tips
  • The exported .avab file can be saved anywhere and can be transferred to another PC.
  • If you modify your avatar, export it again (overwriting is also possible)
  • The viewer has a feature to specify a folder and display a list, so it's convenient to keep them in one folder
4

Display Your Avatar in the Viewer

Open the exported .avab file in the viewer. .vrm files are also supported. There are three methods.

Welcome screen after Viewer startup
Welcome screen right after viewer startup

Method A: Drag and Drop (easiest, recommended)

  1. Launch VRC Avatar Viewer
  2. Drag and drop the .avab file directly onto the viewer window
  3. Your avatar will be displayed
Drag and drop .avab file to Viewer
Drag and drop .avab file to Viewer

Method B: Using the "Open Avatar File" button

  1. Launch VRC Avatar Viewer
  2. Click the "Open avatar file" button at the bottom of the screen
  3. Select the .avab file in the file dialog and click "Open"
  4. Your avatar will be displayed

Method C: Select from a folder list

  1. Collect .avab files into one folder
  2. Launch VRC Avatar Viewer
  3. Click the "Select from folder" button at the bottom of the screen
  4. Select the folder containing the .avab files
  5. The avatar list screen will be displayed with avatars shown with thumbnails
  6. If needed, narrow down the avatars by using the search field in the top right
  7. Click the avatar you want to display
Avatar list screen
Avatar list screen
Avatar displayed
Avatar displayed
Tips
  • The folder selected in Method C is remembered, so you can open the avatar list immediately on the next launch
  • In the avatar list, you can go back to the previous screen or select a different folder using "Back" and "Select folder again" at the bottom of the screen
  • When searching, "Filter applied" is displayed below the folder view. Click the "×" to the right of the search field to clear the input
  • When you overwrite and export a .avab file, it is automatically reloaded on the Viewer side (no need to open it again)
  • Files in .vrm format are also supported
5

Basic Operations

Once your avatar is displayed, move it around freely with your mouse and take a look.

Camera Controls

Operation Action
Left drag Rotate avatar
Right drag Pan camera (physics objects will react)
Mouse wheel Zoom in/out
Double-click Reset camera

Other Features

From the toolbar, you can access the "transparent background mode" which displays only your avatar on the desktop with a transparent background, animation playback using .anim / .vrma files, and setting menus for lighting and background color.