What Files Do You Receive When Commissioning a VTuber Model?

One of the most common questions first-time VTuber commissioners ask after the excitement of choosing their design settles down is a practical one: what exactly am I paying for? What will actually land in my inbox when the project is done?

It's a fair question, and the answer matters more than most people realize. Not all studios deliver the same files. Some retain source files by default. Some deliver formats that work in one software but not another. And some commissioners only discover what they're missing when they try to update their model six months later and realize they don't have what they need to do it.

This guide covers every file a professional VTuber model commission should include, what each one does, and what to check before you sign anything.

The core delivery files

A complete Live2D VTuber model delivery typically includes several distinct file types, each serving a different purpose.

• The .moc3 file is the compiled model itself: the file that VTuber software like VTuber Studio or VSeeFace actually reads and runs. This is what makes your model move and respond to your face tracking. Without it, nothing works. It should always be part of your delivery.

• The .model3.json file is the configuration file that tells the software how all the pieces of your model connect, which textures to use, where the physics settings are, how the parameters are mapped. The .moc3 file and the .model3.json file work together. You need both.

• Texture files (.png) are the actual visual layers of your model — the flat image files that form the artwork your character is built from. These are usually delivered as a set of numbered PNG files in a dedicated folder.

• Physics files (.physics3.json) define how your model's hair, clothing, and accessories move. If your character has flowing hair or a long coat, these files are what make them behave naturally rather than staying rigidly in place.

• Expression files (.exp3.json) control your model's expression states, the toggleable emotional presets like happy, angry, surprised, or crying. Each expression is typically a separate file. The number of expressions included should be agreed upon before the project begins.

Motion files

Some commissions also include motion files (.motion3.json), which are pre-built animations: idle animations, greeting sequences, or signature moves your character can play back during a stream. These are not always included as standard and are usually discussed as part of the project scope upfront.

If motion files are important to you, confirm whether they're included in your commission and how many are being produced. They take additional time to create and are priced accordingly.

Source files, the most important conversation to have

Source files are the editable originals that everything else is generated from: the Live2D Cubism project file (.cmo3) and the original layered illustration file (.psd or the equivalent in whichever software your illustrator used).

This is the most important file ownership conversation you need to have before commissioning, because studios handle this differently.

Some studios include source files as standard. Others retain them by default, meaning if you ever want to modify your model, add a new outfit, fix an expression, update the design, you'll need to go back to the original studio to do it. That's not necessarily a problem if you're happy with your studio relationship, but it does limit your options.

If you want full ownership and flexibility over your model's future, confirm in writing that source files will be included in your delivery. If a studio charges an additional fee for source file access, that's common, just make sure you understand the terms before the project starts.

A note on software compatibility

Not all VTuber models work in all software. Different tracking setups and streaming tools have different requirements, and the files your studio delivers need to match the setup you're planning to use.

The most common VTuber software are VTuber Studio, VSeeFace, and Vtube Studio for mobile. Each with slightly different compatibility requirements and tracking capabilities. If you're planning to use a specific setup, tell your studio before production begins so they can confirm the delivery files will be compatible.

What a complete delivery checklist looks like

Before signing off on any VTuber commission, confirm your studio will deliver:

• .moc3 (compiled model file)

• .model3.json (configuration file)

• Texture files (.png folder)

• Physics file (.physics3.json)

• Expression files (.exp3.json — one per expression)

• Motion files (.motion3.json) if agreed

• Original layered illustration file (.psd or equivalent)

• Live2D Cubism source file (.cmo3) if source files are included

A professional studio will have no hesitation confirming this list upfront. If a delivery scope is vague or the studio is reluctant to specify what's included before you pay, that's worth paying attention to.

At KP Comics Studios, every VTuber model delivery is documented clearly from the project brief stage. We've built models for many clients where delivery standards and file handover needed to meet agency requirements, not just individual preferences.

If you're planning a VTuber model commission and want to understand exactly what your delivery will include, get in touch with us. We respond in English, Japanese, and Thai within 24 to 48 hours.

Posted by KP Comics Studios: Bangkok-based anime-style production, serving clients in Japan, the US, Singapore, Korea, and Europe since 2015.