Model Template Function

Updated: 09/21/2023

This function allows the structure and movement (parameters) of an already completed Live2D model to be reflected in the model being created.

Template Function

We also have a Tutorial Video page that introduces the procedure in detail for modeling SD characters using the template function, starting with the preparation of the illustration.
See “Easy Modeling with Template Function” for the Tutorial Video.

How to Use the Template Function

First, prepare the model to which the template will be applied.
It is okay if only the ArtMesh is in place.

To use the template function, click on the [File] menu -> [Apply Template].
The [Select Template Model] dialog box opens.

Select from a collection of template materials

You can select the model to be used in the template from the collection of materials.
It is best to choose a model that is similar in style to the model you are creating.
If you do not have a specific image in mind, we recommend “Epsilon” for female models and “Chitose” for male models.
Clicking the model thumbnail image or the [Select] button will download the model data, which can be used in the template.
Since data is downloaded each time, please check your Internet connection in advance.

Select from File

You can use your own model data as a template.
Click the […] button to select and import the file.

Adjust Model Position and Size

When the template model is selected and loaded, the [Template] window opens.
The model that was opened in the View area and the template model are superimposed.

Basic layout operations

Note: For Mac users, please replace Ctrl with Command.

Operation	Contents
F	Toggle blinking and fixing transparency of template model.
Ctrl + Z	Undo. Reverse one layout operation.
Ctrl + Y	Redo. Restore one layout operation that was undone.
Wheel up/down	Enlarge/reduce the display.
Left-drag the template model	Move the template model.
Right-drag the template model	Enlarge/reduce the template model (click position is center).
Left-drag other than the template model	Scroll the screen.

Clicking the [Change Template Model] button opens the [Select Template Model] dialog box, where you can change the model.

You can toggle between two template model display methods: flashing and displayed with the specified opacity.
You can specify opacity by entering a numerical value in the text box or by moving the slider.

Clicking a model selects the template model, and you can move, scale, and rotate it with the bounding box.

Adjust the size of the model and use the template adjustment parameters (those with “@” at the beginning) to adjust the positions of the eyes, mouth, etc.
You can adjust other parameters such as angle X, Y, etc. to match the orientation of the face.

After adjusting the size and position, click the [Preview] tab to open the preview.

Mapping of Parts

In the [Preview], the two models are displayed side by side, and the animation plays in conjunction with the template model.
(You can play/stop the animation with the [Play Animation] button in the upper-left corner of the window.)

The motion played here is randomly selected from the motion files in the folder that is opened by clicking the [Preview] menu -> [Open Motion Storage].

Basic Operation of Preview

Note: For Mac users, please replace Ctrl with Command.

Operation	Contents
F	Toggle playback and stop of motion.
S	Shortcut for [Match Selected Elements]
Hover the mouse cursor over the model	At the cursor position, the polygon of the foremost ArtMesh is highlighted to check the correspondence of parts with the template model.
Click (or right-click) on the model	At the cursor position, the foremost ArtMesh is selected. A list of ArtMeshes at the cursor position pops up.
Drag	Scroll the screen.

Operation	Contents
Click the [Play Animation] button	Toggle playback and stop of motion.
Click the [Preview] menu -> [Show Parameters]	Display the Parameter palette. Parameters can be moved manually to check operation.
Click the [Preview] menu -> [Open Motion Storage]	Open the folder where the motion files used in the template function are stored. Motion files in this folder are played at random.
Configure settings related to draw order	[Match Draw Order to template] The draw order is set the same as the mapped ArtMesh. [Automatic Draw order] The draw order is automatically set to maintain the appearance before the template is applied. [Do not change Draw Order] Keep the draw order before the template is applied. Select this option if you do not want to change the draw order, which is set manually or automatically by PSD import.
Configure settings for [Automatic Mesh Segmentation]	[All meshes automatically split] Automatically divides polygons into smaller pieces. Enabling this when deformations are choppy may result in an improvement. Note, however, that keyform editing to move vertices may become more difficult as the number of polygon divisions increases. [Automatic division of mesh only in initial state] Automatically splits ArtMeshes other than those for which splitting was adjusted prior to template application. [No automatic splitting] Keep the polygons as they were before applying the template.

When first applied, each part is not well mapped, and this will be corrected.
The parts around the eyes and mouth are finely divided and often lose their shape.

In this case, as an example, the left eyelashes will be modified.
When you hover the mouse cursor over an ArtMesh, you can see the ArtMesh to which the movement is mapped.

Click over the area where the left eyelashes is located to select it.
The menu then displays a list of ArtMeshes that overlap the clicked area.

When selected, the polygon will turn green and a preview of the currently selected texture will appear in the upper left.

 

The currently mapped part will then be displayed in green on the template model side.
You can see that it corresponds to the left double eyelid.

 

Likewise, click on the eyelashes on the template model side.
When selected, the polygon will turn red and a preview of the currently selected texture will appear in the upper left.

 

Select the ArtMesh for the eyelashes.
Once you are satisfied that it is selected, press the [Match Selected Elements] button (shortcut: S key).

 

By hovering the mouse cursor over it, you will see that the eyelashes have been successfully mapped to each other.

 

The same procedure is used to correct the mappings of parts with incorrect mappings.
When you have finished mapping, click the “OK” button below.

 

Click the [OK] button to return to the canvas with the template applied.
Parameters are set automatically.

If you want to adjust the template again, undo by pressing “Ctrl + Z” and then click again on the “File” menu -> “Apply Template.”

You can now make the adjustment from the previous state.
Be sure to undo before reapplying a template.

Final Adjustment

After applying the template, manually adjust parts if the movement is wrong.
In most cases, the eyes and mouth will need to be adjusted. Let’s correct this example.

For the eyeballs, the white part of the eyes are clipped.
Make the eyelashes the correct shape and adjust the shape of the whites of the eyes so that they are hidden by the lashes when the eyes are closed.

Make the mouth the correct shape and make the parts inside the mouth the correct size.

Once the modifications are complete, the adjustment is finished.