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Avatars

An Avatar is how we refer to the graphic image that represents a user in the virtual world. Every user in the virtual world is represented by a virtual object, comprised of a 3D Mesh, decorated by Texture(s) and controlled by a Rig. These three components may be customized to allow users to represet themselves in creative ways, however these components must adere to specific technical guidelines to function within the virtual experience.

  • The 3D Mesh is a figure or form of the 3D model.
  • The Texture is the material used to colorize the model.
  • The Rig is a platform-specific skeleton that interprets tracking data and expresses those movements on the 3D Mesh.

Every user who joins a virtual experience is embodied by an avatar Rig, even in cases where the 3D Mesh is only a pair of hands or the Texture is set to be Invisible. Creators have an incredible opportunity and responsibility to thoughtfully prepare how they and their audience are embodied in virtual space.

If you are already familiar with Avatar basics and looking for tips on Optimization, please click here.

Default Avatars

As an open-source platform, Mozilla Hubs offers several default avatars and documentation on quick customizations to re-skin a default avatar.

Audience Avatars

Since inception, OnBoardXR has used a Default robot avatar for attendees of its Seasonal Showcases. The current version is a blue-skinned, cylindrical character with either an orange or gray life vest, denoting an attendee’s self-selected ticket tier or desired level of interaction.

Creators may also create an Audience Avatar that is specific to their show using the same pipeline as their own customized avatar. If you plan to customize an Audience Avatar, please Add the Avatar to OnBoardXR with the checkbox for ☐ Allow Promotion and request Admin team Promote and Feature this Avatar for your showtime.

Changing & Adding Avatars

A Creator can change or upload their Avatar under the ⋮ menu button and clicking Change Name and Avatar. This reveals three libraries for Featured, My Avatars, and Newest. Avatars available to all users appear under Featured and must be approved and featured by Admin. Creators may access Avatars they have uploaded under My Avatars when signed in using their email address.

To add an Avatar, a Creator first needs to export their customized Avatar as a .GLB file select + Create Avatar to upload this file and click Save. Upon saving, we recommend right-clicking on the thumbnail of your newly uploaded avatar and select Copy Link Address. This is the Avatar URL and we recommend you store this information somewhere safe.

Avatar .GLB files may also be uploaded in Spoke under My Assets. After successful upload, you may right click on the thumbnail of the avatar asset and select Copy URL. This provides a hosted link for the avatar that may be queried by the cue system.

Ready Player Me

A Creator can generate a quick, free Avatar using a photograph at ReadyPlayer.me. This site generates an avatar on it’s own generic Rig that can be automatically transferred to hundreds of different platforms, one of them being Mozilla Hubs.

Best Practices

Avatars can quickly stress the virtual system with exponential poloygons, materials, or file size. A Scene or Room may run smoothly until a “heavy” avatar file is selected by several users. (Ask anyone from OnBoardXR: Below Decks about the “ballerina incident.”).

If you are looking for tips on Optimization, please click here.