If you’ve always wanted to become a streamer but value your privacy, PNGTubing could be the answer. Here, you will learn exactly how to become a PNGTuber, so you can bring your streaming dreams to life while still retaining your privacy.
What Is a PNGTuber?
A PNGTuber is a streamer that uses a 2D avatar as their online persona in place of a webcam. PNGTubing provides a similar effect to VTubing, but rather than using an animated character that tracks your movements and speech, you use static PNG images. Your avatar won’t be able to mimic your exact movements like a VTuber avatar can, but it can still reflect your speech to show when you’re talking.
This isn’t quite as immersive an experience as interacting with a VTuber or a streamer with a webcam, but it is still a brilliant way to give yourself an online persona so you can make your streaming dreams a reality while still living a private life.
There are plenty more ways to make your stream stand out without a cam, likesetting up Channel Point redemptions on Twitchandadding unique and interesting overlays to your Twitch streamto compliment your PNGTuber avatar.
1. Create Your PNGTuber Avatar
Learninghow to create your PNGTuber avataris the most enjoyable part of the entire experience, apart from streaming, of course. It’s also very easy, so don’t let the thought of creating your own PNGTuber avatar intimidate you.
Most PNGTubers commission avatars from artists. Commissioning your avatar from an artist does have its benefits, like the assurance that your avatar will be completely unique, and having the ability to collaborate with the artist to bring your vision to life exactly how you imagine it. It does, however, cost money. you may also draw one yourself, but that requires artistic skill.
The cheapest and easiest option is to use an avatar-maker website likecharat.me. The site provides you with countless assets and customization options to create a stunning avatar that is totally free of charge. There is a chance that someone might create the same avatar as you one day, but there are so many customization options available that it is unlikely.
Once you’ve chosen your preferred method, the next step is to make your PNGs. Many PNGTubers only use two images; one for when you’re speaking, and one when you’re silent. Creating some extra images to simulate blinking, for example, is optional but brings more life to your avatar.
Now that you are armed with your PNGTuber avatar, you are ready to download PNGTuber software. There are a number of options available on the market, but PNGTuber Maker is our top recommendation. PNGTuber Maker is simple to use, reactive, and completely free.
You can find and download PNGTuber Maker onSteam, completely free of charge.
3. Bring Your PNGTuber Avatar to Life
To finish setting up your PNGTuber avatar and connect it to your microphone, open PNGTuber Maker and click theavatarbuttonin the bottom right-hand corner. Click theplusbuttonon the menu on the left and start uploading your PNGs. Upload the image where your avatar is silent in theSilencebox on the left and the speaking version in theSpeakingbox to the right.
There are two more boxes underneath those. This is a good place to put your blinking images if you have them. If not, you can skip it.
The next step is to select thebackground iconabove the avatar button and choose your background. There are backgrounds on PNGTuber Maker that you can choose from, but if you would like a transparent background for your avatar, select thesolid greenoption. This will act like a green screen so you can see the game capture behind your avatar.
Your next task is to set up your microphone. Select thegear iconat the top of the right-side menu and clickSelect microphone. Then select thedrop-down arrowand choose your microphone from the list.
While you can get away with streaming without a camera as a PNGTuber, you do still need a microphone. Sound quality is important for fostering a successful stream, but there are plenty ofgreat USB microphonesthat are both affordable and high quality.
Select theavatar buttononce again and head to the very first option labeledVolume. Here, you can move thesliderup or down to set the volume threshold that you have to reach to trigger the speaking image. Try speaking into your microphone to test it and find your perfect setting.
You may or may not have noticed a pair of weird lips in the background near your avatar. To remove those, select thebow iconabove the avatar button and hover over the lips in the left menu. Press thetrashcanto delete them.
4. Connect Your PNGTuber Avatar to Your Streaming Software
Now that your PNG avatar is all set up and ready to go, you just need to connect it to your streaming software. This, too, is a very easy process. The setup process may differ slightly depending on what streaming software you use. In our example, we will be usingOBS Studio.
Head to theSourcessection and click theplus buttonto add a new source. SelectGame Capture.
In theModesection, selectCapture specific window, and setPNGTuber Makeras the window you want to capture in theWindowsection. If you want a transparent background, check the box labeledAllow transparencynear the bottom of the window.
You will then be free to resize your avatar and place it wherever you would like it to go. Somewhere in the bottom corner is a common location for a webcam or PNGTuber avatar, but the choice is completely up to you.
Begin Streaming With Your New PNGTuber Avatar
If you’ve been following along with this guide, your PNGTuber avatar will now be completely set up, and you are ready to start streaming. Being a PNGTuber gives you much more freedom and privacy, and it’s a perfect option for anyone who doesn’t have a webcam yet or feels under the weather that day and would rather not use their webcam.
It is also a great option for anyone who wants to be a streamer but struggles with confidence or anxiety. Creating an avatar or persona can give you the extra boost of confidence you need to create that interactive and entertaining stream you want but perhaps haven’t had the courage to create yet.
