The "Zero-Budget" VTuber Setup: A Step-by-Step Guide

The "Zero-Budget" VTuber Setup: A Step-by-Step Guide

This guide accompanies my latest video tutorial. If you prefer reading or need a checklist to follow along, you’re in the right place! We are building a full VTuber setup for $0 using VRoid Studio, Booth, Animaze, and OBS.



Phase 1: The Avatar (VRoid Studio & Booth)

Before we can stream, we need a body! We will use VRoid Studio (free on Steam) to generate the model and Booth.pm to find custom clothes so you don't look like everyone else.


1. Hunting for Treasure on Booth

Booth is a marketplace for indie creators. Many Japanese creators offer high-quality assets for free.

1. Go to booth.pm.
   
2. Search for terms like "VRoid Hair Free" or "VRoid Clothes Free."
   
3. Pro Tip: Look for the file extension in the description before you download:
   
   • .vroidcustomitem: The easiest to use. It’s a pre-packaged item.
     
   • .png: These are raw textures (images). They require a few extra clicks but offer more variety.
     

2. Importing Clothes into VRoid Studio

Open VRoid Studio and select a base character to edit.

• Method A: The .vroidcustomitem (Easy Mode)
  
  1. Click the Hamburger Menu (three lines) in the top-left corner.
     
  2. Select Import Custom Items.
     
  3. Navigate to your downloaded file.
     
  4. The item will instantly appear in the correct category (e.g., "Tops" or "Hair") under the Custom tab. Click "Wear Now."
     
• Method B: The .png Texture (Manual Mode)
  
  1. Identify what the item is (e.g., a Hoodie).
     
  2. In VRoid, go to the Outfit tab and select the Hoodie template on the left.
     
  3. Click the "Edit Texture" button on the right side panel.
     
  4. In the Layers panel, right-click on the "Default Image" layer (or the small + to add a new layer).
     
  5. Select Import and choose your .png file.
     
  6. Voila! The texture wraps around the model.
     

3. Exporting Your Model

1. When you are happy with your look, click the Export icon (box with an arrow) in the top right.
   
2. Select Export as VRM.
   
3. Fill in the required info (Name, Author) and click Export. Save this file somewhere safe!
   

Phase 2: The Engine (Animaze)

We will use the free version of Animaze by FaceRig (on Steam) to track your face and move the avatar.

1. Import your Avatar:
   
   • Open Animaze.
     
   • Go to the Avatar Gallery (icon of a person).
     
   • Click Imports > Import VRM.
     
   • Select the .vrm file you made in VRoid.
     
2. Calibrate:
   
   • Look at your webcam with a neutral face.
     
   • Press Ctrl + C to calibrate. This ensures the avatar doesn't look permanently surprised or angry!
     

Phase 3: Going Live (OBS Studio)

Now we need to get that avatar into your streaming software. There are two ways to do this with the free version of Animaze.


Method A: The Virtual Camera (Easiest)

Best for: Discord calls or short streams.

• In Animaze: Click the "Enable Virtual Camera" button at the bottom of the screen.
  
• In OBS:
  
  1. Add a new Source: Video Capture Device.
     
  2. Select "Animaze Virtual Camera" as the device.
     
• Note: The free version of Animaze has a 90-minute timer on the Virtual Camera. After 90 minutes, you must restart Animaze.
  

Method B: The "Infinite Time" Workaround (Recommended)

Best for: Long streams (Gaming, Art, Chatting).

• In Animaze:
  
  1. Turn OFF the Virtual Camera.
     
  2. Go to Backgrounds and select the Green Screen background.
     
• In OBS:
  
  1. Add a new Source: Window Capture.
     
  2. Select the Animaze window.
     
  3. Right-click your new Animaze source > Filters.
     
  4. Click the + and add a Chroma Key filter. The green background will vanish, leaving only your avatar!
     
  5. Hold Alt and drag the edges of the source box to crop out the Animaze UI (buttons and menus).
     

You're Ready!

You now have a custom 3D avatar tracking your face for free. The only thing left is to hit "Start Streaming."