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GUIDE

Live2D Rigging Commission Guide

Myth-Ink Studio · VTuber & Live2D Production
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1. What is Live2D Rigging?

If you are a VTuber, content creator, or streamer looking for a 2D avatar that moves with your face and expressions in real time, you need more than a beautiful illustration — you need Live2D rigging. Rigging is the technical process that turns a static 2D character into a reactive VTuber model. The rigger sets up deformers, parameters, physics, and tracking logic so your character can blink, speak, tilt, and react naturally in software like VTube Studio or Prism.

A well-rigged model feels alive: the eyes follow the camera, the mouth syncs to your voice, and hair or accessories can sway with motion. Poor rigging, on the other hand, can look stiff or break under certain angles. Choosing the right rigging tier and a clear workflow helps you get a model you will enjoy streaming with for a long time.

At Myth-Ink Studio, Live2D rigging is offered as a standalone service with clear tiers: Normal and Detailed (for normal proportion), and Chibi Normal and Chibi Detailed. You can combine these with our Live2D art services (full character design and PSD) or commission rigging only if you already have an existing PSD from another artist.

2. Which Tier Do I Need?

To keep things transparent, our rigging tiers are designed around how expressive and complex you want your VTuber model to be. Below is a simplified explanation aligned with the Live2D Rigging service page.

2.1 Normal Rigging (Normal proportion)

  • Basic head XYZ movement
  • Eye blink and simple eye movement
  • Mouth open–close synced to your voice
  • Light body angle movement
  • 3–4 basic expressions (happy, sad, angry, etc.)

Best for: VTubers who want a clean, stable model for streaming without very complex physics or heavy animation. Great starting point for first-time Live2D models.

2.2 Detailed Rigging (Normal proportion)

  • Full face & body deformation tuned carefully
  • Multi-layer physics (hair, accessories, clothing)
  • Complex expression sets and subtle transitions
  • Extra polishing & optimization for recording and streaming

Best for: flagship VTuber models, lore-heavy characters, or creators who want cinematic movement and very nuanced facial performance.

2.3 Chibi Normal

  • Head movement and bounce
  • Eye blink and mouth sync
  • Light body bounce

Best for: mascots, pet models, or side characters with a lighter, playful presence.

2.4 Chibi Detailed

  • All Chibi Normal features
  • Hair & clothing physics, bouncy motion
  • More expressions and parameters, streaming-ready

Best for: chibi models that need a more expressive, polished look.

3. What Files Do You Need From Me?

For smooth production, your Live2D art file should follow a few basic rules. If you are using Myth-Ink Studio for both art and rigging, we already handle this internally.

3.1 Required

  • Layered PSD file prepared for Live2D (separated parts for face, hair, body, outfit, etc.)
  • Character reference sheet or clear design reference
  • Notes about personality, typical expressions, and how you want to move

3.2 Optional but Helpful

  • Short text about your lore or character story
  • Examples of existing VTuber movement you like (YouTube links etc.)
  • List of must-have toggles (glasses on/off, hood up/down, etc.)

3.3 Software & File Formats

Our rigs are built in Live2D Cubism and exported so you can use them in the most common VTuber apps. We typically deliver a .moc3 (or equivalent) model file plus textures and motion data. These load directly into:

  • VTube Studio — very popular for streaming on Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms
  • Other Live2D-compatible software — depending on your setup

When you request a quote, tell us which platform you plan to use so we can confirm compatibility.

4. Process Overview

Once you contact us and confirm the scope (art only, rigging only, or both), we will:

  • Confirm your art file (or art + rigging package) and preferred rigging tier (Normal, Detailed, Chibi Normal, or Chibi Detailed).
  • Send a formal quote and, if you agree, an invoice.
  • Assign a timeline path (Standard / VIP / VVIP) as explained on the Timeline page.
  • Down Payment (DP) — At least 50% of the project value is paid before rigging starts, and the remainder after approval.
  • Preview & Revisions — You receive a preview build. Minor revisions (up to the limit stated on the service page) are applied at this stage.
  • Final Payment & Delivery — After the remaining 50% is paid, we deliver the final model files, along with basic notes on how to load them into your VTuber software.

5. How to Prepare Your Model for the Best Result

The quality of your final VTuber model depends a lot on how the art is prepared. These tips apply whether you order art from us or bring your own PSD.

  • Layering: Your PSD should follow common Live2D layering practices — face, hair, body, and outfit parts on separate layers. Avoid merging important moving parts into one layer.
  • Edges: Avoid heavy filters or effects that blur or blend edges between pieces; clean cutouts make rigging and deformation smoother.
  • Face: Eyes, eyebrows, and mouth should be on clean, separate layers so we can control blink, gaze, and lip sync accurately.
  • Resolution: Art at a consistent, reasonable resolution (e.g. 2048px or as agreed) works best; too small limits detail, too large can affect performance.
  • Not sure? You can ask for a quick PSD check before committing — we can tell you if your file is rig-ready or what small changes would help.

If you plan to use Myth-Ink Studio for both art and rigging, simply mention this during consultation — we will recommend a combination like Live2D Premium + Rigging Normal or Live2D Premium Detailed + Rigging Detailed depending on your budget and goals.

6. Key Terms (Quick Reference)

If you are new to Live2D or VTuber production, these terms may come up in conversations with your rigger:

  • PSD — Layered image file (e.g. from Photoshop) that contains all character parts. The main source for building the rig.
  • Deformer — A mesh or structure that controls how a part of the art bends or moves (e.g. for hair or clothing).
  • Parameter — A control value (e.g. “angle X”, “mouth open”) that drives movement. Face tracking maps your camera to these parameters.
  • Physics — Simulated motion (e.g. hair sway, clothing bounce) that reacts to head or body movement.
  • Toggle — A switch (e.g. glasses on/off, expression change) that you can trigger in your streaming software.
  • .moc3 / .model3.json — Live2D model file formats that your VTuber app loads to display and animate the character.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

7.1 Can I upgrade from Normal to Detailed later?

Yes, as long as the original PSD and rig structure support the extra complexity. In many cases we can “upgrade” your rig by adding more physics, expressions, and leaning behaviour.

7.2 Do you accept existing art from other artists?

Yes, but we will first check whether the PSD is suitable for rigging and whether we have permission to rig the model. If the PSD is not Live2D-ready, additional art adjustment fees may apply.

7.3 Which software do you support?

Our rigs are prepared primarily for Live2D Cubism and tested in VTube Studio. If you use other software (e.g. Prism), please mention it during consultation so we can confirm compatibility.

7.4 How long does a Live2D rigging commission take?

Turnaround depends on tier, complexity, and our current queue. Normal rigging is often faster than Detailed. When you request a quote, we will give you an estimated timeline (and a timeline path such as Standard / VIP / VVIP if you need a guaranteed slot). Rush requests may be possible — ask us during consultation.

7.5 Can I use my model for streaming and commercial use?

Personal and streaming use are standard. Commercial use (e.g. brand deals, merchandise based on the model) is subject to our licensing policy. Details are in our Terms of Service; we can also discuss a separate commercial license when you order.

7.6 How do I start a Live2D rigging commission with Myth-Ink?

Visit the Contact & Closing section on the main catalogue and send us:

  • A short self-introduction
  • Character reference or PSD (if already available)
  • Which rigging tier you are interested in (Normal / Detailed / Chibi Normal / Chibi Detailed)
  • Your preferred deadline and timezone

From there, we will follow up with a detailed quotation, schedule, and next steps.

Ready to commission your VTuber model?

Check our Live2D Rigging service page for full pricing, scope, and terms. For a full character from scratch (art + rigging), see Live2D Art and Bundle Packages. When you are ready, head to Contact & Closing to get in touch — we look forward to bringing your character to life.

More services at Myth-Ink

We offer many other creative services for VTubers and streamers. From illustration and character art to PNGTuber, stickers, streaming overlays, comic & webtoon, music production, and 3D modeling — you can see the full list with links to each service page on our Guides & Services blog index. There you’ll find all 12 service categories plus bundle packages and the Hall of Fame.