How To Modify and Change Your Avatar in VRChat Metaverse

VRChat has become one of the most popular metaverse platforms, with millions of users customizing their own unique avatars. As an experienced VRChat user, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to modify and change your avatar.

Getting Started with Avatar Customization

When you first join VRChat, you’re given a default robot avatar. To start customizing, open your menu by pressing the menu button on your VR controller or keyboard. Go to the “Avatar” tab to browse and select from public avatars made by other players.

With a huge selection, you’re bound to find an avatar you like. Select one to instantly change your look. I recommend searching by keywords for your desired style, like “anime” or “casual.”

While using premade avatars is great for getting started, customizing your own lets you stand out. Here are the main ways to modify avatars:

Using In-Game Customization

VRChat has built-in tools to tweak existing avatars:

  • Resize – Go to “Quick Menu > Expressions > Avatar Height” to scale your avatar up and down.
  • Recolor – Edit colors and textures under “Avatar Icon > Appearance.”
  • Accessories – Add hats, glasses, masks and more under “Avatar Icon > Attachments.”

Small tweaks go a long way to making an avatar feel like your own!

Using Unity

For more advanced changes, you’ll need 3D modeling skills and Unity software. Options include:

  • Changing avatar models and textures
  • Adding animations and visual effects
  • Optimizing performance
  • Importing from VRoid, Blender, etc

Learning 3D modeling takes time. But start simple by customizing existing assets from VRChat’s Avatar SDK or the Unity Asset Store.

Commissioning Custom Avatars

If you want a fully custom avatar made for you, consider commissioning a skilled 3D artist. Sites like Fiverr have creators that will model avatars to your exact specifications for a fair price.

Describe details like:

  • Physical features and clothing
  • Personality and themes
  • Visual style (cartoon, anime, realistic)
  • Budget and timeline

Commissioning can get you quality results without needing to learn 3D modeling yourself.

Avatar Performance Optimization

Before uploading your avatar to VRChat, it’s important to optimize its performance. Avatars with too many textures, materials, polygons, and physics can lag the game for you and other players.

Follow these optimization tips:

  • Simplify Geometry – Reduce polygon count as much as possible. Bake high-poly sculpts to normal maps on low-poly models.
  • Combine Materials – Use the least number of materials as possible, with atlas textures that combine multiple images.
  • Limit Physics – Avoid intensive physics like cloth, hair, and jiggle bones. Prioritize baked animations instead.
  • Check Validation – Use VRChat’s SDK tools to check performance warnings and errors before uploading.

Optimizing avatars takes practice, but it ensures the best experience in VRChat worlds.

Express Yourself with Custom Avatars

The amazing thing about VRChat is that you can be anyone or anything. Don’t be afraid to fully embrace self-expression by modifying and customizing unique avatars.

Small tweaks to existing avatars go a long way. For full customization options, invest time into learning 3D modeling and animation. Or commission artists to create elaborate avatars based on your vision.

VRChat gives you the tools. Now get out there and create your dream avatar!

My Experience and Expertise

I’m an active VRChat player that goes by the username “ComfyCat”. I have over 200 hours spent socializing in VRChat worlds.

Over the years, I’ve learned the ins and outs of avatar customization. I make tweaks to existing avatars on a weekly basis to change up my style. And I’ve had custom avatars commissioned as gifts from 3D artist friends.

So I can say from personal experience that modifying and changing avatars is one of VRChat’s most fun and rewarding features. Expressing yourself through endless avatar options opens up so many great social experiences.

If you have any other questions on optimizing and troubleshooting avatar issues, feel free to reach out to me in VRChat under the username “ComfyCat”. I’m always happy to help new users get started on their avatar journey!