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How to Create an Interactive Avatar

In this help doc

You can create your own interactive avatar from a video of yourself or from a single photo. This doc shows the three ways to create one and how to record a video that gives the best results.

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Choose how to create

To start creating an avatar:

  1. In Interactive Avatar, open Avatars and click Create Avatar.

  2. Choose Start with a Video to record or upload a video of yourself, or Start with a Photo to create the avatar from one photo.

  3. If you chose a video, pick Simple Mode (one video) or Advanced Mode (three separate videos for a more realistic and natural avatar).

Clicking Create Avatar and comparing the creation modes

💡 Tip: You don't have to create an avatar to try interactive conversations. The sample avatars under AI Avatars are ready to use.

Create from one video (Simple Mode)

Simple Mode uses a single video for all avatar states.

To create from one video:

  1. Click Simple Mode. The Record with Webcam screen opens. Your browser may ask for permission to use your camera and microphone.

  2. Click Start Recording and read the on-screen script. Pause between sentences with your mouth closed, then click Finish Recording.

  3. To use a video you already recorded, click Upload File instead.

Opening Simple Mode and the Upload File and Start Recording buttons

Note: The video must be at least 30 seconds long.

Create from three videos (Advanced Mode)

Advanced Mode uses a separate video for each state of the avatar:

  • Idle Video: A neutral waiting-state video used when your avatar is not speaking.

  • Listening Video: Used when your avatar is listening to the user.

  • Speaking Video: Used when your avatar is having a conversation.

To create from three videos:

  1. Click Advanced Mode, then choose Upload Videos to upload prepared videos, or Record Videos to record them with your webcam.

  2. Click Upload Idle Video, Upload Listening Video, and Upload Speaking Video to add each video.

  3. Click Next.

Choosing Advanced Mode and Upload Videos, then the three video slots

Note: Each video must be at least 30 seconds long.

Create from a photo

To create from a photo:

  1. Click Start with a Photo. No video recording is needed.

  2. Drag a photo into the upload box, or click it to choose a file. Use JPG, PNG, or WEBP, up to 20MB. A width and height of 512px or more is recommended.

  3. Check the photo against Recommended Upload Guidelines, then click Submit.

Opening Start with a Photo and the upload guidelines

The guidelines ask for one clear photo of a single person, with the face fully visible and centered, good lighting, and high resolution. Avoid group photos, sunglasses or masks, heavy filters, and blurry or dark photos.

Record a good avatar video

The most important rule is to keep movement to a minimum, both while you're silent and while you're speaking.

While you're not speaking (idle)

  • Don't speak, and look directly at the camera.

  • Keep a stable, calm posture.

  • Avoid hand or body gestures. Only small natural movements, such as breathing or blinking, are fine.

While you're speaking

  • Speak naturally on a single topic, and focus on clear speech rather than physical expression.

  • Keep your body and hands as still as possible, and avoid head movement and large gestures.

Framing and setting

  • Use a stable, centered, front-facing composition. Upper-body framing is recommended.

  • Avoid walking or other big movements, and keep the look the same throughout the recording.

  • Use plenty of light and a quiet place, and keep the camera steady.

A good test: the difference between your idle and speaking parts should be mainly your speech, not your body movement.

FAQ

Can I use my avatar right after I create it?
No. After creation, the avatar goes through activation, which takes up to about 24 hours. Only activated avatars can be used in projects and conversations.

Does creating an avatar use a slot?
Yes. Creating your own avatar uses an avatar slot. A slot is used only when creation finishes successfully, so a failed or interrupted creation doesn't use one.

Should I choose Simple Mode or Advanced Mode?
Simple Mode is quicker because it needs only one video. Advanced Mode takes three videos but gives a more realistic and natural avatar.

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