Expressions
Expressions are a feature of VRChat avatars, consisting of user-customized menus that let you enable actions or toggles on your avatar; designed for flexible, easy access to unique avatar features.
More information is available at Avatar Creators Docs.
The in-game Expressions menu is accessible through the Action Menu, or the Expressions wing on the Quick Menu and Main Menu. in any version of VRChat. Changes to an avatar's expressions are networked globally to other users on the same platform, and can be set-up for cross-platform synchronization.
Expressions in the SDK
Expressions are edited using various parameters in the VRChat SDK.
Base expressions
When no expressions are configured, a default expression menu with base animations is added to the avatar, containing the following animations:
- Wave
- Clap
- Point
- Cheer
- Dance
- Backflip
- Die
- Sadness
Custom expressions
To add custom expressions, create an Expression Menu file and an Expression Parameter file, then attach them to the VRChat Avatar Descriptor. The menu defines parameter entries shown on your avatar’s expression menus. The parameters are the variables the menu controls. You also specify details such as whether parameters must be synchronized for other users. You can set 256 bits to be synced, with in 8192 variables.
Controls
You can create up to 8 controls per page. When creating a control, choose its type:
- Button
- Toggle
- Sub Menu
- Two Axis Puppet
- Four Axis Puppet
- Radial Puppet
Puppet Menu Example
As you move your joystick, touchpad, or mouse in different directions, you change animation parameters to blend between moods (e.g., "happy" and "surprised"). Any parameter can be controlled from this menu.
You can open one menu on either hand (or both). By default, flick to select an option. In Action Menu settings, you can choose to use the Trigger. To back out of a selection in the Expressions menu, pull the trigger.
Official resources
- Avatar 3.0 Hub world on VRChat
- Expression Menu and Controls on Creator Docs
- Action Menu - Expression Menu on Creator Docs
- Animator Parameters on Creator Docs
- Playable Layers on Creator Docs
