Skip to content
Learn MikuMikuDance – MMD Tutorials – Free 3D Animation Software

Learn MikuMikuDance – MMD Tutorials – Free 3D Animation Software

Download Free Animation Software – Let's Learn How to Do Everything!

  • Step-by-Step MMD instructions
  • DOWNLOADS
  • Troubleshoot, Fix MMD
  • Site Contents
  • Reggie Replies Q&A
  • Homework!
  • What IS MMD?
    • Download MikuMikuDance Newest Latest Version of MMD
  • “HOW TO”
    • Raycast RAY-MMD Effect Tutorials
  • BONUS PAGES
    • Why convert PMD models to PMX?
  • HALL of CHAMPIONS
  • Tutorial Categories
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Toggle search form
  • Video Dojo Expo 1 Winner: sociohat Video Dojo Champions
  • Move the 3 .dll files from the MME Download folder into the main MMD Folder.
    Download MME v037 in English MMEffects for MMD MikuMikuDance MMD Tutorials
  • Fixed version of the PluginManager featured image. Well, slightly fixed.
    MMD Plugin Manager… I Found a Treasure! MMD Tutorials
  • Making Smooth Motions with MMD Making Smooth Motions
  • KiraKira-sparkleV2 beautiful colored sparkles.
    KiraKira-sparkleV2 MME Effect adds COLOR to KiraKira! KiraKira-SparkleV2
  • Beamman’s MME DropShadow effect for MikuMikuDance Beamman's DropShadow effect
  • Download MMD Pokeball Accessory and Learn Accessory Manipulation Accessory Manipulation/Adjust
  • Search LearnMMD.com
    SEARCH LearnMMD.com… it’s Easy! MMD Tutorials

Posing MMD Models Using Reference Images

Posted on February 18, 2017July 7, 2024 By Charlie Max No Comments on Posing MMD Models Using Reference Images

A feature article by LearnMMD's BigPerryman!Hey ya’ll!  Over the years, I have been asked, so many times that it’s nearly uncountable,  “Well how do you animate poses with a reference image, anyways?”

Animating With  Reference Images

Let’s start with an introduction to why I (and a lot of other people) use reference images. When I first started working with MMD, I had no idea what I was doing and I had a hard time making my models look natural. I discovered that I could use a picture as a reference to help me pose my models. I still use them for guidelines, because no matter how good you are there is always room for improvement. But when you are first starting, this is a great tool to use for yourself so you can feel confident about what you’re doing.

Start with easy poses (like what I chose for this tutorial) and then work up to harder poses. It takes practice and if you don’t start with the easy ones, you may find yourself getting frustrated!

Now, obviously your first step is to find some stock images.  I usually use stock pictures from faestock or Mirish, both users found on deviantART.  Today I’ll be using Forest Fairy – Stock 3 by Mirish, as well as kurumi13‘s model Tokiko: www.deviantart.com/art/MMD-Tokiko-Download-377416061.  First thing’s first: save the picture to a folder you’ll remember.

Posing MMD models is easier when you use reference images. Picture: "Forest Fairy - Stock 3" by dA's Mirish

After that, open up MMD and your photo side-by-side.

Load your reference image and open it in a window so you can see it side-by-side with your MMD GUI.

Now try and pose the body to where it looks like the picture. It doesn’t have to be exact and this step may take a little while, but it will work out. Take your time and be as accurate as you want to be. The more often you do it, the easier it will become. You will find that many MMD models do not have “human” proportions and so you will have to compromise the pose to suit your model’s abilities.

Pose your MMD models using reference images for a "natural" look.

After you have the main body posed, work on the facials and fingers. Make sure these go with the expression that you want, or just as the picture, as you wish.

Pose the facials as you wish!
Pose the hands carefully, they are an important part of the emotion of your model.
Get Reggie's Hand Pose pack from the LearnMMD.com Downloads page.

And that’s it! Some poses may be harder than others. A great finger pose pack (which I even used on my left hand) is Reggie’s hand pose pack from our downloads page.

A striking pose and a nice camera angle make for a beautiful image in MikuMikuDance!

A beautiful pose makes for a beautiful picture…
The finished image created in MMD using reference images as the source for the pose.

Have fun with MikuMikuDance!


– SEE BELOW for MORE MMD TUTORIALS…


— — —


– _ — –


Visit the LearnMMD.com Homepage! Plenty of Mikumikudance instruction and info!

More MMD Tutorials...

Reader asks how to create MMD artwork... stuff like posing, camerawork?

A reader asks... Is there a tutorial on how to create MMD artwork, like those you ...read more

Learn MikuMikuDance in Small Steps! New LearnMMD Video Series

Learn MikuMikuDance in Small Steps. Where can I find easy-to-follow MMD instructions on YouTube? How ...read more

Apply Multiple Effects on an Entire MMD Model Using M4Layer Effect

How can I apply multiple effects to an MMD model? Can I use more than ...read more

MMD Plugin Manager... I Found a Treasure!

What sorts of MMD Plugins are there? MMD Plugin Manager? MMD Plugins. Plugin MMD. More ...read more

2023: Hatsune Miku is 16 Years Old by design and in reality!

Finally, in 2023, Hatsune Miku is 16 years old! When did Miku make her first ...read more

SEARCH LearnMMD.com... it's Easy!

Search LearnMMD.com to find your answers! With the posting of this article, LearnMMD.com has 758 tutorials ...read more

Animation Shortcuts, BigPerryman, MMD Basics, MMD Tutorials, Poses

Post navigation

Previous Post: Fix Model Ambient Light Problems Using PMDE/PMXE
Next Post: My Top 6 Favorite Miku Models!

Related Posts

  • Optimise computer assets by culling unseen MMD model parts Chestnutscoop
  • Build Your Own Stage For MMD Using SketchUp Google SketchUp and MMD
  • RAY-MMD: Spruce up your videos with Dynamic Lighting MMD Tutorials
  • Rendering in 4K video at 60FPS with MMD 4k video
  • Using Raycast MMD like a pro! "the making of" my video
  • Culling unseen MMD model parts optimises computer assets (PART 2) Chestnutscoop

More Related Articles

Build Your Own Stage For MMD Using SketchUp Google SketchUp and MMD
Import Daz models with Bones using Blender, Noesis, Xnalara Blender
Study MMD Motion Files to SEE and LEARN about creating animations Study MMD Motion Files to SEE and LEARN about creating animations Making Smooth Motions
LAT Model Shaders Create Stunning Scenes in MMD Kazumi
Animate MMD ballet pirouette motion Creating Motions
Creating Inspirational Pictures in MMD MMD Fine Art

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the latest version of MikuMikuDance!
See the MMD Step-by-Step instructions page!
Learn how to make your own MMD motions!
LearnMMD.com
  • New Reggie’s Evil Eye demo video posted to YouTube "the making of" my video
  • Fix MMD Missing Model Options using PMDE Fixing Broken Models
  • MMD Rotate object 360-degrees part 2
    MMD Rotating Objects 360-degrees -Miku’s Guide to the Galaxy (Part 2) Making Smooth Motions
  • Download Previous Versions of MikuMikuDance from LearnMMD.com! Download MikuMikuDance
  • Add a Motherbone for Easy Model Manipulation in MMD 7.39 Mother Bones
  • Free AVIUTL Video Editing software adds animated titles to MMD Videos! Animated Titles
  • Scrambled first frame of video must be Voodoo! MMD Basics
  • Teto replies!
    Fixing white models and accessories that don’t follow in PMXE Bandages

Copyright © 2022 Learn MikuMikuDance – MMD Tutorials – Free 3D Animation Software and Instructions..

Powered by PressBook Premium theme

Go to mobile version