How to install VRroid mod 7 Days To Die​

Ever felt that the wasteland of 7 Days to Die needed a bit more… flair? Like, maybe a cool anime character running around, smashing zombies with a sledgehammer? If you’ve nodded yes, then you’re in the right place! This guide dives into the world of VRoid Studio and how you can bring your unique creations into the gritty, zombie-infested world of 7 Days to Die. Let’s get started!

Why VRoid in 7 Days to Die?

First off, let’s talk about why you’d even want to do this. 7 Days to Die is an awesome game, but let’s be honest, character customization is pretty basic. You get a few face presets, some hairstyles, and that’s about it. VRoid Studio, on the other hand, is a free software that lets you create incredibly detailed, anime-style 3D characters. You can tweak every feature, from eye shape to clothing style, and that kind of freedom is just too good to pass up. Imagine playing as a character that you’ve poured your heart into – it adds a whole new layer of immersion!

The Challenge

Now, here’s the thing. 7 Days to Die isn’t built to just accept any old 3D model. It needs a model that’s specifically rigged and formatted in a certain way. This means getting your VRoid character into the game isn’t as simple as drag-and-drop. You’re gonna need a couple of extra tools and a bit of patience. But don’t worry, it’s a fun project, and this guide will walk you through each step.

Step 1: Creating Your VRoid Character

If you haven’t already, download and install VRoid Studio. It’s available for free on the official VRoid website. This software is super intuitive, even if you’re new to 3D modeling. Spend some time creating the character you envision. Tweak those sliders, pick the perfect outfit, and maybe add some cool accessories.

Key tips when creating your character:

• Keep it Simple: While VRoid lets you go wild, remember that complex models can cause performance issues in 7 Days to Die. Keep your poly count relatively low.
• Clothing: Choose clothing that’s close-fitting. This minimizes clipping issues in-game.
• Textures: Use a single texture sheet where possible to reduce draw calls.

Once you’re happy with your character, export it as a .vrm file. This is the standard file format for VRoid models.

Step 2: Preparing Your Model

Alright, here comes the slightly more technical part. The .vrm file needs a bit of conversion. You’ll need to get your hands on a tool that can convert your character to a format that 7 Days to Die understands – specifically a format compatible with Unity.

Here’s the basic process:

1. Download Blender: If you don’t already have it, you will need Blender which is also free and is the go to software for 3D Model conversion and manipulation.
2. Install VRM Importer: You’ll need a Blender add-on that handles VRM files. There are a few options available, find one that’s well supported and actively maintained. Search “Blender VRM Importer” to get a popular version.
3. Import to Blender: Once the importer is installed, import your VRM file into Blender. Your VRoid character should now be visible in the Blender viewport.
4. Rigging & Adjustments: The character rig (the “skeleton” that makes movement possible) from VRoid might not perfectly match 7 Days to Die’s requirements. This is where you’ll have to spend some time adjusting and rigging. There are several YouTube tutorials that can walk you through how to adjust a model’s rig in Blender.
5. Export as FBX: Export your newly rigged character as an .fbx file. This is a common format that’s compatible with Unity. Make sure to select “Apply Modifiers” when you export.

Step 3: Setting Up Unity

Next, you’ll need the Unity game engine. Don’t worry; you don’t need to be a game developer to follow along. Unity is used by 7 Days to Die’s modding community and is available for free.

1. Install Unity Hub: Download and install Unity Hub. This will allow you to install specific versions of Unity.
2. Install the correct Unity Version: Make sure you install the correct version of Unity that 7 Days to Die Modding uses (check the Modding community forums).
3. Create Unity Project: Create a new Unity project. It should be a 3D project.
4. Import Your FBX Model: Now, import your .fbx file into the assets folder of your Unity project.
5. Set Up Animation Controller: You’ll need to set up an animation controller that matches the existing animations in 7 Days to Die. This requires a bit of technical know-how but there are numerous guides online.
6. Create Prefab: Drag the model from the assets window into the hierarchy to create a scene object of the model. Then drag the scene object into the assets window to make it a prefab.

Step 4: 7 Days to Die Modding

Here’s where we finally get your character into the game!

1. Find 7 Days to Die Mods Folder: Locate the mods folder in your 7 Days to Die install directory. It’s usually in “steamapps/common/7 Days to Die/Mods.”
2. Create Your Mod: Make a new folder in the Mods folder with a name for your mod (such as “MyVRoidCharacter”).
3. Copy Required Files: You’ll need to copy your model files (textures and the fbx from the Unity Project you made) into this folder.
4. Modded Asset Bundle: This is the main step where you add your model and animation controller that you configured in Unity. Then you will copy the resulting asset bundle into your Mod folder.
5. Configure config.xml: In your Mod folder create a config folder. Then inside that create a new file named config.xml. Add XML configuration that tells the game to replace the default player model with yours. Refer to other mods for the correct syntax. This is crucial as this file tells the game that there is a mod and that it should load the assets inside your mod folder when the game starts.

Testing Your Character

Now for the moment of truth! Launch 7 Days to Die and see if your VRoid character appears in-game. If all went well, you should be seeing your custom model instead of the default player.

If it doesn’t work correctly, double-check these things:

• Is your mod properly configured in config.xml?
• Are all the file names correct and in the right places?
• Did you export all the necessary data from Unity as an asset bundle?
• Did you setup your model with the correct animations using the animation controller?

Troubleshooting and Common Issues

• Clipping: If your character’s clothes pass through their body, you might need to tweak the rigging or adjust the clothing in Blender.
• T-Pose: If your model appears in a T-Pose, double-check your animation controller and rigging setup.
• Performance Issues: If the game runs slowly, try reducing the number of polygons in your character model.

Final Thoughts

This process might seem complicated at first, but it is also a lot of fun. There are numerous tutorials that cover each of the steps in more detail if needed. Adding your unique VRoid character to 7 Days to Die is a great way to make the game even more personal and immersive. The wasteland will never be the same!

So grab your copy of VRoid Studio, get those characters designed, and dive into the 7 Days to Die modding world! Happy gaming!