User guide

Requirements and installation

• macOS 15 Sequoia or later / Apple Silicon
• The built-in Mac camera or a webcam

1. Get the dmg from Download and double-click to open it.
2. Drag Utsushibi.app from the window into the Applications folder.
3. Launch Utsushibi from Launchpad or the Applications folder.
4. When it asks for camera access on first launch, choose “Allow”.

Choosing an avatar

A preset robot model is included, so you can try Utsushibi right away without a VRM. Utsushibi uses avatars in the VRM format (VRM 1.0 recommended; VRM 0.x also loads). Load one with “+ Add a VRM model” under “Avatar” in the sidebar. Please check the model's terms of use before using it.

Added VRMs stay in the list, so you can switch between them with a single click. Utsushibi reads the original file instead of copying it, so if you move or delete the file, its row shows “File not found” — click the row to locate it again. Framings can be saved to the cameras at the bottom left of the preview.

Make your own — VRoid Studio

• Create a 3D character with VRoid Studio.
• When it is ready, export a .vrm file with Export as VRM from the camera / export screen.

Get one — BOOTH and friends

• Free and paid VRM avatars are distributed on BOOTH and VRoid Hub.
• Each model comes with its own terms (modification, commercial and streaming use). Always check them.

Starting tracking

1. Pick your camera under “Camera” in the sidebar and press Start tracking. Everything from expressions and blinks to your upper body and fingertips is reflected on the avatar.
2. The first run asks for camera permission (if you declined, check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera).
3. Frame the avatar by dragging and scrolling on the preview, and save the framing to the cameras at the bottom left (→ Camera and view controls).

• Click the camera preview in the sidebar to blur it (so it stays out of screen shares).
• The pose can be adjusted with Reset front pose under “Tuning”.

Streaming to video calls (virtual camera)

1. Press Install camera extension under “Virtual Camera” in the sidebar (first time only).
2. System Settings opens “Login Items & Extensions” automatically. If it does not, open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions yourself.
3. Above the list, switch the tab from the per-app view to the per-category view. The camera row does not appear until you do.
4. Click the ⓘ at the right of Camera Extensions in the Extensions list.
5. In the sheet that opens, switch Utsushibi on and press “Done” (enter your password if asked). Do not quit Utsushibi until the approval is finished. If it says the change takes effect after a restart, restart your Mac.
6. Press Start virtual camera to begin streaming (“Streaming” appears under the button).
7. Choose “Utsushibi Camera” as the camera in your video-meeting app.

Three display modes

The Utsushibi window has three modes: studio, floating and fullscreen. Tracking and virtual-camera streaming keep running in every mode, so you can switch even mid-meeting.

Using floating mode

• To go back, click the avatar and press the “Exit floating” button. Pressing ⌘⇧M also works.
• The app always starts in studio mode after a restart.
• Pick the window size under “Window”: 640×360 / 960×540 / 1280×720 (manual resizing also works).
• Drag the window to move it. To change how the avatar is framed inside it, use the floating camera at the head of the camera bar in studio mode.
• Transparent areas without the avatar pass clicks through to the app behind automatically.
• Turn on Hide the avatar while hovering under “Window” to make the avatar transparent while the cursor is over it, with clicks passing through, so you can see and use the content behind without moving the window. While on, the window cannot be clicked or dragged, so exit floating mode from the menu bar or with ⌘⇧M.
• The Utsushibi icon in the menu bar can also switch modes, change the window size, toggle “Hide the avatar while hovering”, and start or stop tracking and the virtual camera.

Choosing a scene

Pick one of five scene types for the streamed video under “Scene” in the sidebar.

Camera and view controls

What the mouse and keys do over the preview depends on the scene type.

2D scenes (none / solid color / image / animation)

Available in studio and fullscreen modes (in floating mode a drag moves the window).

3D scenes (camera controls)

Available in studio and fullscreen modes (in floating mode a drag moves the window instead).

Your images on the displays

Show any image you like on the displays in Simple Room, Gaming Room, Wood Room, Capsule Room, Chinese Room, Japanese Tea House and Sky Villa. In Chinese Room, you can change the images on the hanging scroll and folding screen; in Japanese Tea House, you can change the hanging scroll. Put up a logo, an announcement or artwork.

Keep a photo

Capture and save the current video. A countdown timer, too. Photos are 1920×1080 PNGs, the same picture that goes out on the virtual camera — handy for icons, thumbnails and social posts.

The sidebar

Click a heading to collapse or expand that section.

Shortcuts

These keys work only while the Utsushibi window is focused, so they never get in the way of other apps’ shortcuts. While floating, transparent areas pass clicks through and the window may not be focused, so click the avatar (the “Exit floating” button) or choose “Studio mode” from Utsushibi in the menu bar to get back. The 3D-scene keys (W A S D / arrows / Q E / C V) are ignored while you are using a slider or a text field.

Troubleshooting