XR Animator

XR Animator is a free motion-capture and avatar tool for creators who want to drive MMD or VRM models from a camera and keep the resulting motion files. Its broad tracking and export options make it a good fit for desktop animation workflows; smartphone users should expect to favor face tracking when processing power is limited.

Overview

Using MediaPipe and TensorFlow.js, XR Animator detects poses from webcam video and applies them to a 3D avatar. Full-body tracking can also use an image or video file, so the tool can serve both live performance and motion-file workflows. That combination is more useful to animators than a tracker limited to live streaming, though the project’s phone-performance caveat makes desktop the safer choice for demanding capture.

Key features

Tracking and avatar control

Tracking options include face, full body, and combined face, body, and hand tracking. Face tracking supports 52 ARKit-compatible blendshapes, and hand tracking adds another source of expression for 3D avatar performances. XR Animator drives MMD and VRM models and supports VRM import.

Motion files and scene building

It records motion and exports VMD, BVH, and glTF, while also loading VMD, FBX, and BVH motion. FBX and BVH can be exported to VMD, which gives users several routes to bring motion into or out of the workflow. Scene customization supports 2D images or video, 3D panoramas, and .x or .glb objects, making it possible to build a more tailored setting around an avatar.

Live integrations

In Electron mode, VMC protocol can send animation to VMC-enabled apps such as VSeeFace, VNyan, and Warudo. Electron also provides a frameless transparent background for capture apps such as OBS. These are practical advantages for desktop streaming setups, but they are not part of the browser mode.

Pricing

The Free public version costs nothing. It includes the core tracking, recording, motion-file, and scene features described above, with no paid tier or usage cap stated. That makes it an unusually open starting point for creators who want to explore capture and export before committing to a paid product.

The maker invites donations and membership support. Membership includes early access to the latest version at least six months before public GitHub release, which suits users willing to support development in exchange for earlier builds; it is not required to use the free public version.

Platforms

The web app runs in major desktop and smartphone browsers, and downloadable Electron apps are available for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Android Chrome also supports augmented reality. The browser’s reach is convenient, but VMC protocol and transparent capture backgrounds require Electron. On smartphones with limited processing power, the project recommends a face-tracking-focused approach rather than full-body work.

Who it's for

XR Animator suits MMD and VRM creators who want to drive an avatar with a webcam, record motion, and move among several common motion formats without paying for a plan. It is especially compelling for desktop users who value both live avatar integration and reusable animation files. It is less suited to users who need reliable full-body tracking on a low-powered phone or require VMC and transparent capture features in a browser.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Face, full-body, and combined face/body/hand tracking give creators several ways to control an avatar.
• Pros: VMD, BVH, and glTF export plus VMD, FBX, and BVH loading make it useful beyond live performance.
• Pros: The free public version includes a broad desktop and browser workflow, while Electron adds VMC integration and a transparent background for capture.
• Cons: Limited-power smartphones may be better suited to face tracking only, constraining mobile full-body capture.
• Cons: VMC support and frameless transparent backgrounds are Electron-only, so browser users miss those streaming features.

Alternatives

Choose Mocai if a web, mobile, or API option with a defined monthly footage allowance is a better fit: its free plan provides 1 minute of footage per month, clips up to 15 seconds, and single-person capture, with all formats downloadable.

Move AI is another freemium option, with a free allocation of 30 one-time credits that do not expire and support videos up to 30 seconds. FreeMoCap is worth considering for users seeking a free alternative across desktop platforms. For a Blender-centered workflow, Open Mocap is a free add-on compatible with Blender 4.0.0 and earlier.

mimem.ai may suit users who prefer a web or mobile service with daily tokens and a stated monthly FBX export allowance. Move One offers a free one-time credit allocation for short videos across web and iOS. PINOC is an alternative for users who prefer a free daily video-generation allowance, with limited multi-track sessions and seven-day asset and generation storage.

Rokoko Create is another freemium choice, with a free Starter plan that includes 30 seconds per month of Vision AI video processing, unlimited text-to-motion clips, and five Studio imports per month.

For broader category comparisons, browse AI Motion Capture Software, Motion Capture Software, and VTuber Software.

Verdict

Choose XR Animator if you want a no-cost way to drive MMD or VRM avatars, capture motion, and work across several motion formats, especially on desktop. Its standout advantage is the breadth of tracking and export in one free workflow. Look elsewhere if smartphone full-body performance is essential, or if you need VMC integration or a transparent capture background without using Electron.