Thank you for using VRM Dance Dream MV.
I’m excited to announce the release of Ver. 0.2.3, the biggest update yet!
With this update, the foundation is now in place for VRM Dance Dream MV to evolve from:
“A tool that makes MV creation easy”
into:
“A tool that makes it easy to create MVs exactly the way you imagine them.”
You can also save your work in progress and continue editing it later.
■ New Timeline Editing
A timeline has been added to the bottom of the screen.
Simply drag and drop effects onto the desired positions to build your MV.
• Almost every type of effect can now be placed as a clip
Dance motions, facial expressions, lip sync, camera movements, particles, filters, skies, floors, background images, background videos, 2D loops, and stage lights
• Intuitive editing controls
Move, resize, delete, and duplicate clips. You can also select multiple clips using Shift + Click or by dragging over a range, then edit them all at once.
• Keyboard shortcuts
Space: Play/Pause
Enter: Return to the beginning
Delete: Delete selected clips
Arrow keys: Fine-tune clip positions
• Collapse the timeline when you do not need it
The timeline can be minimized to the bottom edge of the screen and restored at any time using the ▲ handle.
Previously, effects could only be switched manually while the MV was playing.
Now, you can arrange them in advance and replay the same sequence as many times as you like.
■ Effects Automatically Sync with the Song’s Tempo
• BPM synchronization
The BPM of the song and the BPM of each motion are automatically matched, helping you create a more cohesive MV.
• Beat grid and snapping
Clips automatically snap to the beat, preventing effects from drifting out of sync with the music.
• Smooth transitions
Motion changes are connected naturally using crossfades, with four easing options available.
• BPM data has already been registered for all 44 preset songs.
• You can also manually set the BPM for imported songs.
■ Project Saving Is Now Supported
You can now save unfinished projects and continue working on them later.
• Use the file menu in the header to access:
New / Open / Save / Save As
• Each project is saved as a single .vddm file.
• Projects can be saved in any folder, making it easy to organize your work.
• Unsaved changes are indicated by a ● next to the song title.
• A confirmation message appears when closing the application or switching projects, helping prevent accidental data loss.
• An automatic saving option is also available.
• When the application starts, your previous project is automatically restored.
• Timeline arrangements, camera settings, filters, and avatar positions are all restored to their previous state.
• Imported assets are shared across all projects and will not disappear when switching between projects.
• Assets are now loaded only when they are needed, resulting in smaller save files and faster startup times.
■ Camera Movement Presets
Camera movement presets now allow you to create your own shot sequences.
• A total of 66 camera presets are available.
• Presets are organized into collapsible categories, making them easier to find.
• “All Avatars” category
Includes automatic fitting cameras that keep every avatar clearly within the frame.
• Three camera distance options are available: Close, Medium, and Far.
• Cameras can follow bones such as the head, chest, or hips.
• Camera roll and vertical movement are also supported.
• Automatic camera sequencing
The song is analyzed, and camera cuts are automatically added to sections that do not already contain camera clips.
• Hovering over a menu item instantly previews the camera movement.
• VMD camera data can also be placed on the timeline and saved as part of the project.
■ Improved Facial Expressions and Lip Sync
• 18 facial expression presets are now available, including smiles, left and right winks, embarrassed smiles, and sideways glances.
• Facial expressions can be placed on the timeline and switched at specific moments.
• Lip sync can now also be handled as timeline clips.
• Lip-sync timing can be adjusted separately for each avatar.
• When you move the playhead while playback is stopped, lip sync follows the playhead position, making precise adjustments much easier.
■ Visual Effects and Lighting
• Exposure and tone-mapping controls have been added to the filter settings.
• These settings can be used to adjust VRM models that appear overly bright or washed out.
• A master ON/OFF switch for post-processing has been added, allowing you to compare effects with a single click.
• Custom filter presets are now shared across all projects.
• Ten custom preset slots have been added for stage lights.
• Eight custom preset slots have been added for avatar lights.
• Press and hold to save a lighting preset, then click it to load the preset.
• Imported stages can now be switched using the timeline.
■ Export and Video Settings
• Recording quality presets have been added: Low, Standard, High, and Highest.
• The actual bitrate is also displayed, allowing you to choose the best balance between visual quality and file size.
■ Major Improvements to Dance Motion Quality
I have fundamentally revised the reproduction accuracy of imported VMD motions.
• Ankle and toe contact with the floor has been corrected.
• Fixed an issue where ankles could unnaturally lift or twist sideways during landings and crouching movements.
• Fixed an issue where toes could sink into the floor.
• Fixed an issue where the legs could bend backward in certain motions.
• Arm and wrist twist bones are now reproduced correctly.
• Poses involving hands raised above the head or placed beside the face now more closely match the original motion.
• Excessive arm twisting during fast twisting movements has been reduced.
The difference between imported motions and their original versions has been significantly reduced.
■ Improved Asset Management
• Imported assets can now be deleted or renamed from the right-click menu on their buttons.
• Assets that have not yet been loaded are displayed as “Not Imported.”
• A confirmation window appears when starting the application or opening a project, allowing you to load only the assets you need.
• Save dialogs now open in the previously used folder.
■ Other Changes
• The contents of Custom Filter Preset 2 and Custom Filter Preset 7 have been partially updated.
With this update, the foundation is now in place for VRM Dance Dream MV to evolve from:
“A tool that makes MV creation easy”
into:
“A tool that makes it easy to create MVs exactly the way you imagine them.”
I will continue improving VRM Dance Dream MV to make MV creation more enjoyable and easier to use.
Your reviews and feedback are always greatly appreciated and give me the motivation to keep improving the application.
Thank you for your continued support of VRM Dance Dream MV!