# How to use your Cyberbrokers Mech VRMs

As a [Cyberbrokers](https://www.cyberbrokers.com) Genesis Mech holder, you get access to a set of 3D models that you can use as your avatar across virtual worlds and immersive experiences. To access these models, simply visit the [Inventory](https://www.cyberbrokers.com/inventory) page on the Cyberbrokers website, connect your crypto wallet view your NFTs.

Once you have selected the mech that you want access, you can download all of your files as a zip file by clicking the download icon on the top right of the page.


There are multiple filetypes that you will be able to access within this zipped folder, but for this overview, we'll be focusing on the VRM files.

## What is a VRM

VRM is a standard file format for 3D avatars. When we say standard, we mean something that is widely adopted, used and integrated into different platforms. For avatars, there is no true historical standard format of what an avatar 3D asset should consist of. As virtual worlds and immersive experiences become more prevalent in our culture, there is a need to develop this standard, much like `.jpeg` and `.png` are image standards that have been widely adopted.

VRM avatars offer the following benefits:

- Cross-platform support for a wide range of applications
- An all-in-one data container that includes the required 3D meshes, textures, skeletons, and metadata
- Well-defined facial movement data for facial expressions
- Seamless application of human-like animations

VRMs have been growing in popularity recently, especially in the web3 world where NFT collections are looking for ways to bring their 3D assets to life and prepare themselves for the confluence of technologies that many label the metaverse. The Cyberbrokers team pride themselves on being pioneers of the intersection of art and technology, so they have holders well and truly covered.

To better understand the formats provided, this breaks out the file formats and texture sizes in the zip files.

| **Format** | **1k** | **2k** | **4k** |
|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
| *GLB* | mech_1k.glb | mech_2k.glb | mech_4k.glb |
| *VRM V0.X* | mech_1k.0.vrm | mech_2k.0.vrm | mech_4k.0.vrm |
| *VRM V1.X* | mech_1k.vrm | mech_2k.vrm | mech_4k.vrm |

You will have access to four VRM files:

- VRM v0.X 1K Texture
- VRM v0.X 2K Texture
- VRM v1.X 1K Texture
- VRM v1.X 2K Texture

Without going into too much detail, think of v0.X VRMs being the most widely supported type of VRM and think of v1.X VRMs as being the new, less widely supported type of VRM. Given that a lot of environments that you will be using your VRMs in are web based, 3D asset performance and optimization is key for a good user experience. 1K and 2K simply refer to the texture resolution of the 3D avatar. The higher the texture resolution, the more graphics processing power it uses to load.

Now that you have your avatars downloaded, lets explore where to use them. In this guide, I'll be using Vo's CyberBrokers Genesis Mech named [Firefighter Joe Redline](https://opensea.io/assets/ethereum/0xb286ac8eff9f44e2c377c6770cad5fc78bff9ed6/419) (see token metadata [here](https://m.cyberbrokers.com/mainnet/mech/419)).

## VTubing

VTubing is a new form of entertainment where content creators and streamers tap into motion capture technology to embody their avatar. Given the interoperable nature of VRMs, many technologies have been built out specifically to help VTubers get up and running in no time. This is one of the most popular applications for VRM avatars, and so there are many options available for VTubing with your avatar, but we'll focus on the below

### Kalidoface

[Kalidoface](https://3d.kalidoface.com/) is one of the most approachable VTubing platforms out there for VRMs. The UX and UI are second to none and the solution is comprehensive for someone who is quickly looking to start doing some VTubing work without diving too deep into the weeds. Nonetheless, it has a ton of features like importing custom backgrounds and stickers.


### Avatar.Webcam

This standalone solution is great for folks that are looking for a product that's simple to use, customizable and has web3 integrations. From the team that brought you CryptoAvatars and Polygonal Mind, [Avatar.Webcam](https://www.avatar.webcam/) allows for a lot of common VTuber features but also has crypto wallet integration and allows you to directly 'cast' your VTuber set-up as a virtual camera for easy to use streaming across Zoom, Google Meets, Microsoft Teams and other web apps that use webcam services.


### VMagicMirror

[VMagicMirror](https://malaybaku.github.io/VMagicMirror/en/) is a highly extensible standalone VTubing app that allows for a lot of flexibility while being relatively simple to get started with. It has a ton of features that can link your mouse, keyboard and controller tracking to avatar body movements, making it a great way to 'fake' full body tracking. It also allows you to integrate basic props, external tracking from other apps, and microphone based mouth tracking (although this is not possible for mechs as they don't have facial blendshapes).


### XR Animator

[XR Animator](https://github.com/ButzYung/SystemAnimatorOnline) is a cross platform VTubing app (Web and Desktop) that uses advanced features for motion tracking. The UX isn't the greatest yet, as the development has been focused on functionality. That being said, it's an incredible option if you're looking to do something a little more advanced with your VTubing setup.


## Virtual Worlds

One of the best use cases for VRMs is in virtual worlds. Below are a list of virtual worlds that have VRM integrations. Each integration is different. The common choices are direct providing a URL, upload of a local file, connection to a third party app or crypto wallet connection. Each virtual world platform is worthwhile exploring and building in with your mech. For platforms like Hyperfy and Oncyber, they can automatically detect your VRM directly from the platform once you've connected your wallet.

### [Hyperfy](https://hyperfy.io/)


### [Monaverse](https://monaverse.com/)


### [OnCyber](https://oncyber.io/)


### [Cluster](https://cluster.mu/en)


### [Viverse](https://www.viverse.com/)


### [Substrata](https://substrata.info/)


## Game / 3D Engines

Given that VRMs are an open and interoperable 3D avatar standard, many independent developers have been building solutions to support game and 3D engines. This means that you can bring use your mech to create renders, build player locomotion systems, or even develop your own VTuber application using popular engines like Blender, Unity and Unreal. Each platform's integration has its own limitations and none of these platforms currently have native support for VRMs, but as the standard grows, hopefully we see this change.

### Blender

Blender uses the [VRM Addon for Blender](https://vrm-addon-for-blender.info/en/) to import, configure and export VRM files. Although Blender is incredible extensible as it is open-source by nature, it is primarily used as a modeling, rigging and rendering platform.


### Unity

Unity uses the [UniVRM](https://github.com/vrm-c/UniVRM) package to import, configure and export VRM files. Unity is used as a primarly game development engine for mobile, XR and AAA games.

https://github.com/vrm-c/UniVRM


### Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine uses the [VRM4U](https://ruyo-github-io.translate.goog/VRM4U/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US) plugin to import, configure and export VRM files. Unreal Engine is used as a primarly game development engine and real-time rendering platform for virtual production.


### VRM Posing Desktop

Although this is not a game or 3D engine, [VRM Posing Desktop](https://evelyngamedev.com/vrmposing-desktop/) is a great app to quickly create still renders of your mech. Bring in your VRM and quickly pose it, add lighting, background, props and other items to develop high quality images for sharing.


## AR/VR

Want to integrate your digital mech into your physical environment or embody your mech in a virtual environment? XR is a great way to use your VRM file to push the boundaries of what's possible with new immersive technologies.

### Avatavi

[Avatavi](https://avatavi.com/en/) is a free app that allows you to quickly bring your mech into an AR experience that utilizes your mobile devices for environment tracking. Move your mech around your space and drive it using emotes and locomotion to create some awesome short form content.


### LIV

[LIV](https://www.liv.tv/) is an incredible mixed reality capture platform that allows you to insert yourself into many popular XR applications. In this example, we've used LIV to be our mech in [TribeXR](https://www.tribexr.com/). This demonstrates how you can capture your in-world performances on your PC while using your XR applications in first-person through your headset.


### WebXR

Various virtual-world platforms support WebXR. WebXR is an API for web content and apps to use to interface with mixed reality hardware such as VR headsets and glasses with integrated augmented reality features. In the example below, we have embodied a mech in Hyperfy by simply enabling the WebXR connection button while in our headset.


## Conclusion

Now that you've seen where you can use your mech, it's time to be a pioneer. Go out and explore, take some footage, and share it with the community. The more people that we have exploring these virtual worlds and immersive experiences, the faster we move to realizing the potential of an open metaverse.

As a final comment, it's worth noting that this is just a small subset of the potential ways that you can use your 3D files. To learn more about where you can use your VRMs, check out the [VRM Documentation](https://vrm.dev/en/vrm/vrm_applications) website or check out use case video guides from the likes of [Fruitpex](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqbgxNu8cIU) and others.

:::info
*MetaMike is virtual world experience developer and has a passion for contributing to the education and enablement of the open metaverse.*

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:::