✤MURO Making - VRoid (Part 2)✤

 Hi everyone!
Today's topic is the second part of my posts on VRoid, VRoid Hub! We covered VRoid Studio last time, and that leads us directly into the Hub in today's post.

What's VRoid Hub?

VRoid Hub is a built-in online platform for sharing the models you create in VRoid Studio. When you finish an avatar in VRoid Studio and go to export it (pack the model into a convenient file to use in other applications), you'll have the option to upload it to VRoid Hub. This is where people can share their creations with others, or parts to help other creators. 

 

The real centerpiece of the website is each 'characters' page, showing off that creator's works. Each time you select a character they come to life, walking in from the side of the screen to show off the model's movement capabilities. Since these models are often used in animations, virtual broadcasting, or games, it's important to downloaders to know how a model looks in motion, and VRoid has provided - in my opinion - a very flawless integration. True to the name 'Studio', each selection feels like you're calling in a different potential 'actor', and I find it really charming. Off to the side is the creator's details - usually including a link to their terms of use or copyright policies.

But Can't Someone Take My Model?

Now, you might hear this and think, 'oh, so this is a place where you only post models you want other people to download,' and that's not necessarily true - as you can tell by this warning on one of the models I was looking at. The contrast is a bit low on the website, but it reads, 'Can you use this model? NO. This model's data cannot be downloaded or used for any purpose, and is available only for viewing on VRoid Hub.' Many people use VRoid Hub to display their creations without sharing them. Many artists use it as a portfolio, uploading their works to show off their skills.

Should I Upload My Models?

But like any platform, I think it's entirely up to personal preference what creators use. If VRoid Studio doesn't work for you as a creation program, I don't think you'll get any use out of VRoid Hub, either. And I believe that sharing works online is never necessary - personal enjoyment of the hobby is always the best! If you aren't comfortable uploading, don't - but I also think that if you're simply worried about the quality but want to share it, I highly recommend it. Multiple times as a creative I've gone back and purged old work out of embarrassment, only to find some survivors years later and think to myself that I was being way too harsh and that they were made with heart. I think creation in itself should be celebrated, regardless of the quality - because making things can be hard! And you can't become proficient in a skill without first being a beginner.

Personal feelings aside, if you try VRoid Studio and enjoy it - and want to share that with others - I recommend VRoid Hub! That's all for this post! My next post will be about VRoid SDK. As always, let me know if there's anything you want me to post further about!

See ya next time!