Creating your avatar

Set up Avatar 4, enter body measurements, refine your shape, and save a fitting reference.

These instructions are for Armorsmith Designer 2.1.1.0. Earlier versions, including 2.1.0.10, can show different panels and labels.

Your avatar is the body you fit costume parts around. In 2.1.1.0, the included male and female bodies use Avatar 4. Open Avatar → Edit Avatar to show avatar customization in Workbench → Edit.

Before you start

The illustrated guide explains each measurement. Changes apply as you go.

Have a flexible tape measure and your recorded measurements. Wear the base layers and supportive garment intended for the costume. Set your preferred units in Preferences.

Save an existing setup before changing bodies or resetting it. An avatar is a fitting reference; check critical dimensions and make a physical test fit before committing to final materials.

Start with Avatar Guide

On the Avatar tab, click Avatar Guide for illustrated measurement steps. Check the units and body choice, enter each measurement, and use Back, Next, and Finish to move through the guide. Changes apply as you go; closing the dialog does not mean the earlier entries were only a preview.

Save a useful avatar before changing Base Avatar inside the guide. Switching that choice starts the selected body setup again. It differs from changing the base in the main customization panel while preserving a fitted profile.

After the guide, inspect the body from several directions and refine the detailed measurements below. The panel’s separate task/fitting guide provides workflow advice; it is not the same measurement-entry dialog.

Create a built-in avatar

1. On the Avatar tab, choose Male or Female in Base avatar. Choose the starting body closest to your proportions. Switching bodies transfers the existing measurement profile and supported appearance settings; inspect the resulting shape rather than assuming a reset.
2. Set Age and the Body build controls as a starting shape. Body mass and Muscularity are relative shape controls, not weight in kilograms or pounds.
3. Enter Standing height with units, such as 175 cm, and press Enter. Set height before refining other dimensions. Entering a height makes later age changes preserve your chosen standing height.
4. Open Measurements and enter lengths using the highlighted guides as your endpoints. Set compound lengths before their component segments. See Body measurements.
5. Open Circumferences and match the levels shown by the rings. Compare front and side views while adjusting size and shape. Use Chest and breast shape for torso and breast controls.
6. Use Head for head dimensions and face shape. Use Hands for the available hand and finger measurements. Availability depends on the loaded avatar rig.
7. Inspect the body from the front, side, and back. Recheck values after larger shape changes, then choose Avatar → Save As to save an .avatar file.

Find the right tab

Tab	Use it for
Avatar	Base avatar, standing height, age, body build, photo fitting, appearance, and viewport display.
Measurements	Lengths, proportions, and body measurement guides.
Circumferences	Body rings, local shape, and the available breast-shape controls.
Head	Head circumference, width/depth dimensions, and face shaping.
Hands	Available hand/finger measurements and left/right hand framing.

Older built-in avatars use collapsible Full Body, Measurements, Circumferences, and Details sections. Their layout and detail controls differ from Avatar 4. Imported bodies have their own custom-avatar workflow.

Start from photographs

On Avatar, under Photo fitting, click Fit avatar from photos…. Supply a front photo and your standing height; a side photo helps estimate depth. Review the detected points and measurements before applying them. Follow Fit an avatar from photos.

Show reference image displays an image for visual comparison. Loading a reference image alone does not run photo fitting or resize the body.

Refine measurements in the viewport

While editing the avatar, hover over a measurement control to identify its guide. Drag an available guide handle to preview an adjustment, then release it to commit the change. Check the value in the panel. A locked measurement cannot be dragged; unlock it first if you intend to change it.

On Head, open More head measurements for Head Width (side to side) and Head Length (front to back). Editing one keeps the other dimension while circumference changes with the shape.

Use the lock beside a measurement to preserve it while related dimensions change. Locking is undoable. If a combination cannot be applied, read the panel’s error and review the affected values rather than forcing every field to a new target.

Check and save before fitting parts

Use Show Costume to hide attachments while you inspect the body. Check clothing, footwear, head shape, and the intended hairstyle. Choose Avatar → Save As to keep separate setups for different wearers or clothing.

Then attach a costume part, adjust its fit, and use Fit Checker. For recovery and reset choices, see Avatar troubleshooting.