Getting the perfect hairstyle for your VRChat avatar can feel like the final touch that brings your virtual identity to life. Maybe you found a fantastic hair model online, or you’re tired of the default options and want something unique. The process of importing custom hair might seem technical, but it’s a skill you can easily pick up, opening up a world of personalization for your avatar.
Finding Hair Models You Can Use
Before you start, you need to find a 3D hair model. Many creators offer free or paid hair assets on platforms like Booth.poly or DeviantArt. A crucial first step is to always check the license for the model. Make sure the creator allows their work to be used in VRChat and whether you need to give credit. Using assets without permission can lead to issues, so it’s best to be safe and respectful of the creator’s terms.
Preparing Your Hair Model in Unity
Once you have your hair model, usually in a .zip file containing FBX and texture files, the real work begins in Unity. Create a new project or open your existing avatar project. Import the hair files by dragging them into your Project window. When the model appears, you’ll often need to adjust its materials. Look for the material files that came with the hair and change their shader to something VRChat-friendly, like the standard VRChat/Mobile/Toon Lit shader. This ensures the hair looks correct and performs well in the game.
Attaching the Hair to Your Avatar
Now for the assembly. Find your avatar’s model in the Hierarchy window. Simply drag the hair model from your Project window and drop it onto your avatar’s root object in the Hierarchy. This makes the hair a child of your avatar. You will likely need to reposition, rotate, and scale the hair to fit your avatar’s head perfectly. Use the transform tools in the Scene view to adjust its position until it sits just right.
Final Steps and Uploading
With the hair positioned correctly, you’re almost done. Make sure everything looks good in the preview. If your avatar uses dynamic bones for physics, you may need to set those up on the hair strands for a more natural bounce. Finally, go through the standard VRChat SDK process to upload your avatar. Build your avatar, test it in-game, and see your new hairstyle in action.
Adding custom hair is a rewarding process that adds a huge amount of personality to your VRChat presence. With a little practice, you’ll be able to swap hairstyles with confidence, making your avatar truly your own.