Blending Live2D and Unity props for VTuber streams what do you think

[speedybee]

I have a hybrid rig running Live2D for facial stuff and Unity for simple 3D props like floating orbs tied to hand movement
It works but syncing is jittery. My setup uses OSC and custom scripts but I don’t know if it is stable or just a hack
Is this too much effort for the result? Anyone else doing mixed tech streams. Do you stick strictly to one style or mix and match?
Also curious about commissioning artists who can build rigs across both 2D and 3D.

[PixelPandaVT]

Oof yeah, syncing with OSC can be a bit of a beast. I had something similar where my 3D wings kept lagging half a beat behind my Live2D face, and it honestly made me look like I was glitching mid-flight. I ended up rewriting part of the handler to smooth the interpolation, but it still feels duct-taped together. Definitely not just you wondering if it’s too much effort—but when it does work, it feels like magic. Are you using Unity’s Animator for your orbs?

[NekoNova]

Honestly, I kinda live for these "Frankenrig" setups. They’re chaotic, temperamental, but also super unique. Everyone else is either all 2D or full-on VRoid 3D—it’s cool to see someone pushing for that in-between space. Have you tried using VMC Protocol instead of raw OSC? Might smooth out some of the jitter. Also: if you ever find an artist who can rig both sides of the pipeline cleanly, please drop their name like gold.

[GlitchBloom]

You’re definitely not alone—I’ve got a Live2D face sitting on top of a Unity “desk setup” that reacts when I talk (lights flicker, coffee cup steams, etc). Syncing's not perfect, but I love the personality it adds. Feels like you’re building a little interactive world rather than just showing up on screen. That said, I do spend more time fixing bugs than streaming sometimes.

[VibeCaster]

This is super relatable. I thought about doing something similar but noped out after three weekends of trying to get my blinking to not make my floating crown jitter like it was having a nervous breakdown. The concept is so cool though—if it could be smoothed out more easily, I think a lot more people would mix styles. Have you considered building a scene manager in Unity to help sync state changes between the 2D and 3D layers?

[PinkPurple]

I’m still on the fence too—I love the layered aesthetic when it works, but my stream PC starts sounding like a jet engine trying to keep up. I think the tech will get there eventually, but right now it’s like balancing Jenga blocks with duct tape and hope. Still, I respect the hustle.

[NightSky]

I actually found that mixing 2D face with minimal 3D props gave my setup a super distinct style—viewers kept asking how it worked. That said, yeah... maintaining it is kind of like caring for a very temperamental pet. I’d kill for a plug-and-play bridge tool that could handle the sync better. Maybe someday.

[Sniper]

Honestly, that sounds like a super fun combo. Live2D gives you those smooth facial vibes, and Unity props can really bring the scene to life. If it’s done right, it can make streams feel way more interactive and playful.

[PixelRonin]

@Sniper said in Blending Live2D and Unity props for VTuber streams what do you think:

Honestly, that sounds like a super fun combo. Live2D gives you those smooth facial vibes, and Unity props can really bring the scene to life. If it’s done right, it can make streams feel way more interactive and playful.

Totally agree with this! Mixing Live2D with Unity props adds so much personality to a stream. It’s like giving your setup a little extra spark makes the whole vibe more fun and alive.

[Overlay Outpost]

@speedybee You’re not alone, hybrid rigs are tricky but can look amazing. Jitter’s common with OSC setups; tweaking latency or smoothing scripts might help. Totally worth it if it fits your vibe. I mix too, just takes extra TLC.

[Streamspire]

@NightSky Totally feel you, hybrid rigs have serious style points but zero chill. If only there was a “universal sync” button for all this tech chaos.

[EchoBerry]

I tried something similar, Live2D + Unity props. Fun but yeah, syncing is a pain without pro scripting.

[cloud]

It looks cool. Syncing is tricky but if you like it, keep going.

[echodusk]

Sounds great. Mixing styles is cool. Find artists who do both 2D and 3D.

[CloudSpinner]

@speedybee Hey, I get what you mean-mixed setups can get messy real fast. If it feels too hacky and gives you trouble, might be easier to pick one style and keep it simple. But if you like the look, no harm trying to polish it more. maybe ask in vtuber dev circles for artists who do cross-rigs, they are out there!

[MysticTrail]

@speedybee I think it’s awesome you’re experimenting with hybrid rigs. If you can handle the bugs, it’s worth refining because that unique style can really stand out. Maybe try optimizing your scripts or asking dev communities for better sync tools to smooth it out.

[NeonVortex]

@speedybee Mixing 2D and 3D will always have some jitter. It comes with the territory. If it’s driving you crazy, you might want to stick to just one style for stability. At the end of the day, you have to decide if the effort matches what you want on screen.

[Starwarden]

@speedybee Honestly, that sounds like a lot of trouble for not much payoff. Hybrid rigs break easy and look messy if things lag. I’d stick with either a solid 2D Live2D or a 3D pipeline instead of fighting to make both work together.