VTuber Without Money? Here’s How
47sPromise of a free or low-cost vTubing solution hooks aspiring creators who lack resources.
▶ Play ClipAI Summary
This video provides a step-by-step guide for aspiring VTubers on how to properly prepare and layer their character art in a PSD file for seamless rigging in Live2D Cubism. It emphasizes the importance of organizing layers correctly to avoid future hours of rework, covering key sections like the head (face, eyes, mouth) and body.
Chapters
[0:11]
Goal: Art for Live2D Rigging
The video kicks off a tutorial series on becoming a 2D VTuber, starting with art setup. Live2D Cubism will be covered in future videos.
[0:21]
Prerequisites for VTubing
You need art of your VTuber model, cut into many little layers, exported as a PSD (Photoshop document) because Live2D Cubism only reads PSD files.
[1:04]
Why Correct Art Setup Matters
If art is not set up correctly at the early stage, rigging will be flawed and you'll waste hours going back to fix it.
[1:34]
Program Layer Limits
Check your art program's layer cap (e.g., Procreate has a cap). A complex model with many layers may be tedious in a program with a low limit.
[2:07]
Folder Organization Saves Time
Group layers into folder categories. The author uses: one main body folder, subfolders for body parts, another for features, and left/right sides. This keeps the file organized for rigging in Cubism.
[2:58]
Head: The Most Important Section
The head can be divided into: face, eyes, front hair, ears, eyebrows, nose, and mouth. Simpler rigs can keep the nose, front hair, and face as whole layers, but separating them further (e.g., hair into middle/left/right) allows a 3D effect.
[4:19]
Eyes: Extensive Separation Required
Eyes need many layers: sclera, top lid, bottom lid, iris, pupil, lashes, highlights, etc. Even simple models use multiple eye layers because rigging eyes is one of the hardest parts of Live2D.
[5:01]
Mouth: Simple Layers, Complex Rigging
Recommended mouth layers: top lip, bottom lip, tongue, inner mouth, top teeth, bottom teeth. Layer separation is simpler than the eyes, but rigging is equally complex.
[5:29]
Body: Limb Separation by Joints
The body is simpler; separate arms, legs, torso, and boobs (if present) into left/right portions. For more movement, separate limbs at joints.
[5:58]
Hair: Bangs vs. Rest
Non-bang hair gets its own folder; includes back of head and actual hair. Number of layers depends on hairstyle (solid piece vs. many strands).
[6:25]
Extras: Expressions and Accessories
Any extras (expressions, accessories, animal ears/tails) should be placed in their own folders within the main folder, wherever they are located.
Properly layering your VTuber art into a well-organized PSD file is the critical first step to avoid hours of rework during rigging. Follow the folder structure and separation guidelines for head, body, and extras, then move on to rigging tutorials.
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90% Legit"The title promises to show how to separate VTuber art for Live2D Cubism, and the video delivers exactly that with a thorough layer-by-layer guide, making the title highly accurate."
Mentioned in this Video
Tutorial Checklist
2
1:34
Check your art program's layer cap (e.g., Procreate has a cap) — ensure it can handle many layers for complex models.
3
2:07
Organize layers into folders: a main body folder, subfolders for body parts (e.g., head, body), features, and left/right sides.
4
2:58
For the head, separate layers for face, eyes, front hair, ears, eyebrows, nose, and mouth. For simpler rig, keep some as whole layers; for 3D effect, separate further (e.g., front hair into middle/left/right).
5
4:19
Separate eye layers extensively: sclera, top lid, bottom lid, iris, pupil, lashes, highlights. For basic rig, at minimum separate the eye into at least the main shapes.
7
5:29
Divide the body into left/right portions for arms, legs, torso, and boobs (if applicable). For more movement, separate limbs at joints.
8
5:58
Place non-bang hair in its own folder; include back of head and actual hair. Decide layer count based on hairstyle (solid piece vs. strands).
9
6:25
Add extra elements (expressions, accessories, animal ears/tails) in their own folders within the main folder.
Study Flashcards (8)
What file type must your VTuber art be exported as for Live2D Cubism?
easy
Click to reveal answer
What file type must your VTuber art be exported as for Live2D Cubism?
easy
Click to reveal answer
PSD (Photoshop document).
1:12
Why is it important to check your art program's layer cap before starting a VTuber model?
easy
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Why is it important to check your art program's layer cap before starting a VTuber model?
easy
Click to reveal answer
Because a complex model with many layers can become tedious in programs with a low layer cap (e.g., Procreate).
1:34
What are the recommended folder categories for organizing layers in the PSD file?
medium
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What are the recommended folder categories for organizing layers in the PSD file?
medium
Click to reveal answer
A main body folder, subfolders for body parts, features, and left/right side folders.
2:07
Name at least five sections that the head should be divided into for VTuber art layering.
easy
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Name at least five sections that the head should be divided into for VTuber art layering.
easy
Click to reveal answer
Face, eyes, front hair, ears, eyebrows, nose, mouth.
3:09
Why must the eyes be separated into many layers even for simple models?
hard
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Why must the eyes be separated into many layers even for simple models?
hard
Click to reveal answer
Because rigging the eyes is one of the most difficult aspects of Live2D, and incorrect separation makes rigging much harder.
4:28
What layers are recommended for the mouth section in a basic rig?
medium
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What layers are recommended for the mouth section in a basic rig?
medium
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Top lip, bottom lip, tongue, inner mouth, top teeth, bottom teeth.
5:01
How should the body parts be separated for a VTuber model?
medium
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How should the body parts be separated for a VTuber model?
medium
Click to reveal answer
Separate arms, legs, torso, and boobs (if present) into left and right portions; for more movement, separate limbs at joints.
5:29
What should be done with extra elements like expressions or accessories in the layer file?
easy
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What should be done with extra elements like expressions or accessories in the layer file?
easy
Click to reveal answer
They should be placed in their own folders within the main folder, wherever they are located.
6:25
💡 Key Takeaways
⚖️
Correct early setup prevents wasted hours
Highlights the direct consequence of poor setup: hours of rework during rigging.
0:47
🔧
Folder organization is a time-saver
Practical advice on using layered folder categories to keep the file manageable in Cubism.
2:07
📊
Eye layers require the most separation
Eyes are singled out as the most complex part to rig, demanding careful separation.
4:28
🔧
Body separation by joints allows more movement
A tip for adding dynamic motion to the avatar by separating limbs at joints.
5:29Full Transcript
[00:00] Want to become a vTuber like iron mouse, nyanners, or nux taku?
[00:03] But have NO money to hire an artist
[00:07] Well, today is your lucky day
[00:11] how to become a 2D vTuber
[00:14] My God, OK, it's happening.
[00:16] Everybody, stay calm.
[00:19] So what do you need to start
[00:21] Well, first you need art of your vTuber model
[00:26] in a bunch of different little layers
[00:30] Then you will need to get an art
[00:35] which don't worry, I'll be covering in
[00:40] But for today, we're going to be focusing
[00:42] It is really important that you make sure
[00:47] at the early stage because if it's not. . . .
[00:57] OK, maybe not to that extreme,
[01:01] and you'll be wasting a lot of hours
[01:04] so let's go over
[01:07] Now, before I even show you
[01:12] that your art needs to be in a PSD file,
[01:17] This is because it is the only file type
[01:22] Yes, there are a lot of
[01:25] that can export your art in PSD!
[01:27] You don't have to just
[01:30] Just Google if your art program can export in PSD,
[01:34] one thing I would pay attention to is
[01:37] can handle. Because if you are thinking of
[01:42] procreate, then you have a layer cap,
[01:46] if you're planning on making
[01:49] OK, now that we got that out of the way.
[01:51] Let me show you my layers. Mm-Hmm.
[02:00] OK, I know this looks
[02:03] but trust me, it will all make sense
[02:07] If you happen to notice I have all of my
[02:10] different folder categories, then good job
[02:14] I have them in several folders
[02:15] to categorize everything better because
[02:20] it will be organized to help you sort
[02:23] and it honestly saves you so much time.
[02:26] Everyone has their own special way
[02:29] but I like to do it like this
[02:34] kind of like the whole main body
[02:37] Then a bunch of subfolders
[02:41] and then another category of folders
[02:46] Then lastly, I need any layers
[02:49] side of each corresponding part
[02:52] I want using different model examples
[02:56] you can make your avatar
[02:58] Let's start with the head first,
[03:00] since that is literally the most important
[03:04] in my opinion, since, well, it's
[03:09] The head can be divided
[03:13] the eyes, the front hair, the ears,
[03:18] So most of these don't have to be separate
[03:22] For example, the nose,
[03:25] they can all be on their own whole layer
[03:29] But if you want to separate each of these
[03:30] a little further
[03:33] then you can separate the face layer
[03:36] If your character has it
[03:40] the nose can be separate into the lineart,
[03:43] And lastly, the front hair
[03:47] The left and the right part separating it
[03:50] an almost 3D effect with your vTuber
[03:54] and don't worry! I'll show you how to do that
[03:55] in another video later :)
[03:56] the ears and the eyebrows folder,
[04:00] You literally just need to separate them
[04:04] and it should all be drawn on its own
[04:06] Hey, are you still with me, Bobas!?
[04:08] You better let me know by giving this
[04:11] if you haven't already!!!
[04:12] I do a lot of tutorials like this,
[04:16] content on my channel.
[04:17] Thanks so much. Now for the eyes.
[04:20] I want you to pay close attention.
[04:23] You need to just stop.
[04:24] OK, I'm sorry. You need a separate
[04:28] Even the simplest models
[04:30] have quite a few layers for the eyes.
[04:32] This is because I rigging is
[04:37] especially if you don't
[04:40] Here's how you should separate the
[04:43] If you want to get a little fancy and
[04:48] then you can separate the iris,
[04:53] And don't worry,
[04:55] Another Live2D eye rigging tutorial for you
[04:58] The mouth can be separated
[05:02] It really comes down
[05:03] to how much control you want over
[05:06] I personally would recommend
[05:10] lip layer, the tongue, the inner mouth
[05:14] in the bottom teeth if you have any.
[05:15] It's a little bit more simpler in terms of
[05:19] but the rigging part of it is actually just
[05:23] as complicated, and that's all the parts
[05:26] Now let's move on our body.
[05:29] The body can be divided
[05:33] This is a lot simpler
[05:37] any further than besides their
[05:41] But of course, if you want to have
[05:44] then you have to separate your limbs
[05:46] by their joints, and I recommend
[05:50] If your model has them.
[05:55] the rest of the hair that doesn't include
[05:59] You have pretty much the back of the head
[06:03] and then the actual hair. Now depending
[06:07] That's going to determine
[06:09] because you can either separate it
[06:13] or you can just kind of
[06:16] If you make it this far into the video,
[06:19] you're pretty much done
[06:22] You don't have to separate or add
[06:25] But if you were thinking of adding things
[06:31] ears, tails etc. Then of course
[06:36] and added to the main folder
[06:39] I hope this video is helpful to you,
[06:43] to subscribe to my channel for more
[06:45] Mari Yume vTuber content!
[06:46] and feel free to check out my livestream
[06:49] If you want a much
[06:51] Thanks so much for watching. Bye Bobas!