What is the Expression Editor?
The Expression Editor lets you define how a character’s eyes, mouth, and other facial parts should move when changing expressions in VRoid Studio.
To use an analogy, it is like setting the way face muscles move when the character smiles or makes a sad face.
Similar to what happens in other editors, facial expression too can be controlled and adjusted through parameters and sliders.
*The NEUTRAL expression refers to the character’s default expression and is different from the state where all parameters are set to 0 (such as immediately after opening the model).
To get a better understanding of how each slider plays a role in the final expression, take a look at the images below. While one is showing the default settings for "Happy", the other one is an example of what the same expression looks like after adjusting eyebrows, eyes, and mouth.
You can try out the facial expressions you set in this editor in the Photo Booth tab of VRoid Studio.
In addition, facial expressions are saved in the model data when you export it as VRM and used as a set of expressions (VRMBlendShapeProxy) on other platforms and games. In the VRM file, they will be saved with the usual names such as “NEUTRAL”, “FUN”, “JOY”, etc.
How to use the Expression Editor
From the Face editor, click (or tap, on the iPad) on the icon at the bottom of the list on the left.
To edit an expression, select a preset like Neutral or Smiling from the left-hand tool panel, then use the sliders in the right panel to adjust each facial part to match that expression.
Facial expressions you set in the Expression editor can be used in Photo Booth and various VRM-compatible applications.
When you first open a model, switch to Photo Booth, or enter the VRM export screen, all facial expression parameters will be set to 0.
The same applies when returning to the Editor from the Photo Booth or export screen.
Related articles:
I want to know more about the parameters in Photo Booth
Facial expressions look off in the Photo Booth (e.g. parts moving unexpectedly or expressions not displaying as intended)