To meet the growing need for powerful and flexible tools that can support the creation of engaging virtual environments, at OWNverse we have developed a unique approach to building and animating 3D avatars using the VRM format. With the VRM viewer, OWNverse provides a powerful and intuitive interface for creating and customizing virtual avatars that can be used to create captivating virtual characters.
It sets the basis for our future Avatars HUB that will be designed to simplify the process of adding avatars to virtual spaces and tweak their features. In a fully functioning HUB, users will be able to share, edit, trade and upload avatars in supported formats within our ecosystem or from other platforms. Our initial efforts were oriented toward creating a web-based VRM viewer that we now introduce.
The VRM Format — The Best Standard For Digital Characters
The VRM format is becoming increasingly popular for creating and sharing 3D models in VR/AR environments. It is designed to be lightweight and flexible, allowing for easy integration within a wide range of platforms and applications. The VRM viewer is a key to working with the VRM format, providing an interface for viewing, editing and animating 3D models in real-time.
One of the most important features of VRM is its support for animation data. By embedding animation data sets within the model file, VRM enables more believable performance of avatar characters. This is especially important in social VR applications where realistic avatars are essential.
What sets VRM apart from other 3D character formats is its support for a wide range of features that allow for more realistic and lifelike characters. These include eye tracking, lip sync, hair and cloth physics, amongst many others. In addition, it’s also becoming increasingly easy to use — with tools like VRoid Hub and Viverse by HTC, making it simple to create or import your own 3D characters.
The OWNverse VRM Viewer
Be sure to check out our VRM Viewer. Upon entry, you will be able to upload a .vrm file or test out the features on available characters. Here’s our mascot Mira in her space uniform:
Configuration
The VRM Configurator is a tool that allows you to customize and configure VRM models in a web-based interface. It is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, with a simple and easy-to-use interface that allows you to quickly and easily make changes to your model. Changes can be previewed in real-time, so you can see how they will look before they are finalized.
Some of the key features include the ability to adjust the facial expressions and gestures of the avatar, change the hairstyle and clothing, adjust the lighting and shadows, and even add special effects. This allows for tailoring the viewing experience to one’s needs and preferences.
For example, users can adjust the field of view, change the rendering mode, or even enable or disable certain features entirely. Additionally, the VRM viewer is constantly being updated with new features and improvements, so users can always be confident that they’re getting the best possible experience.
Animations
Animations are a critical aspect of 3D modeling — creating movement is the best way to bring the models to life. In our VRM viewer, users can use a pre-made animation or upload own animations in a .glb or .fbx format into the viewer. With animations, you can make your characters perform specific actions, such as walking or dancing.
The VRM viewer’s animation functionality is based on Inverse Kinematics (IK) and Forward Kinematics (FK). IK is used to calculate the joint angles of a character’s skeleton so that the character’s limbs can reach a specified target position. FK is used to calculate the position and orientation of a character’s limbs based on the joint angles of the character’s skeleton. By using IK and FK together, it is possible to create smooth and highly accurate animated movements of the avatars.
Posing
Posing feature enables characters to quickly and easily switch between different pre-set poses for the 3D avatar. You can access the avatar poses feature by selecting the “Posing” option in the menu bar. This will bring up pre-set poses that you can choose (see image). When you make a selection, the avatar will automatically adjust to the desired position, with all of the necessary joints and bones adjusted accordingly.
The advantage is that it can help you quickly test, iterate and experiment with different animations, without having to spend a lot of time manually adjusting each joint or bone. And because the poses are pre-set, you can be sure that the avatar will be in a stable and realistic position, which can be especially important if the animation is complex.
Shape Keys
Shape keys are a feature that allows for the creation of morph targets or blend shapes for a 3D model. Essentially, they are different states of a 3D model that can be blended together to create a smooth transition between them.
Shape keys are typically used for facial expressions or other types of animations. For example, a 3D character’s facial expressions might be controlled by a series of shape keys that can be activated to create different expressions such as smiling, frowning or raising eyebrows. Once the shape keys are created, they can be animated in various ways to create a variety of different effects.
Spring Bones
Spring bones enable certain parts of a 3D model to move in a more natural and realistic way, mimicking the physics of real-life objects. A “bone” in 3D modeling refers to a jointed structure that can be manipulated to move different parts of a model. For example, Mira’s tails, dress and sleeves are made up of spring bones, which flow more realistically as the character moves around.
In the VRM viewer, you can enable or disable spring bones for a specific 3D model, as well as adjust the strength and damping of the spring effect. This helps make the movements of the model look more natural and fluid, which can be especially important for animations or simulations where movement realism of soft and flowy materials are a key factor.
Latest Release
Our latest release includes the ability to change the background color. This is a useful feature that can greatly enhance the user experience. By allowing users to customize the background color to their preferences, the VRM viewer can accommodate different viewing environments and personal preferences, making the virtual experience more comfortable and immersive. Additionally, it can improve the visibility of the 3D model, helping to differentiate it from the background and reducing eye strain. It is a small but important feature that can significantly contribute to the overall experience.
Final Thoughts
The VRM viewer has many advantages over traditional 3D viewers. This technology is changing the way we view and interact with 3D models, making it easier and more intuitive than ever before. If you are an architect, designer or engineer active in the VR industry, you should definitely explore using the VRM viewer in your work, if you are not already.
As we continue with our development, we have seen impressive results with our avatars that are considerably smoother and more intuitive to interact with. The VRM viewer is just the beginning of what is possible, and we can look forward to more exciting innovations in the years to come.
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And again, don’t forget to test out our VRM viewer and report about your experience, suggestions and tips.
