Tutorial [ILLUSION] HS2 Studio Neo|Chara Maker - (Help & guides Thread)

[Asarmargad]

So I've wanted to start learning how to create characters/scenes/renders etc... for a while now but I am bit confused here. Since for now I just want to do it as a hobby and as something new to learn, I don't really want to deal with a lot of mods or other utilities which are more advanced. So in order to have a simple or rather plain start, what should I install? I am familiar with illusion games but there are just so many varieties of things to install for HS2 that I don't know what to do.
For starters on the main page of HS2, which version would you recommend me to install? the repack or the plain steam version? and after that what are your suggestions and recommendations for me. I would love to have your opinions on what to do (with character creation and the studio at that).

 

[Kosten07]

So I've wanted to start learning how to create characters/scenes/renders etc... for a while now but I am bit confused here. Since for now I just want to do it as a hobby and as something new to learn, I don't really want to deal with a lot of mods or other utilities which are more advanced. So in order to have a simple or rather plain start, what should I install? I am familiar with illusion games but there are just so many varieties of things to install for HS2 that I don't know what to do.
For starters on the main page of HS2, which version would you recommend me to install? the repack or the plain steam version? and after that what are your suggestions and recommendations for me. I would love to have your opinions on what to do (with character creation and the studio at that).

I would definitely stick with the repack. There are so many fixes and useful mods that playing the STEAM version is a night and day difference. I am basically on the same path as you. Hobbyist, slowly learning. There are some really good guides around that hone in on specific things.

Starting with something simple yet important like lighting. It's amazing how much better lighting can make pretty much everything. Once you got a handle on that move on to something else.

 

[Kaseijin]

So I've wanted to start learning how to create characters/scenes/renders etc... for a while now but I am bit confused here. Since for now I just want to do it as a hobby and as something new to learn, I don't really want to deal with a lot of mods or other utilities which are more advanced. So in order to have a simple or rather plain start, what should I install? I am familiar with illusion games but there are just so many varieties of things to install for HS2 that I don't know what to do.
For starters on the main page of HS2, which version would you recommend me to install? the repack or the plain steam version? and after that what are your suggestions and recommendations for me. I would love to have your opinions on what to do (with character creation and the studio at that).

Hi!

This is my advice based on my personal experience.
The game has changed a lot in the last 3 years; the number of mods is incredibly large.

I recommend downloading the repack version. I also recommend that you don't download the Studio mods in your main game, download the extra studio mods in a separate hard drive and keept ot close to your workplace.
Since the BepInEx has been updated, many mods are obsolete.

If you like to see/play scenes, or If you love creating things in the studio (like me), In the event a mod is missing, get that specific missing mod from your external hard disk. In time you will see what mods are essentials and wich ones not.

Regarding plugins: there are magnificent ones nowadays, you need to understand very well how this marbles works and what are its dependencies. the most popular ones are Meina, ekan, Hooh, Hanmen and VNGE/MMD plugins. Hanmen is a bit confusing bc there are some dependecies needed in order to work well, for example, video export and studio charaEditor doesn't seems to work well in the newest versions of Hanmen's graphics mods, you need to install a dedicated plugin and uninstall the official one.

Hope this info helps you.

Happy Ney Year 2026!

 

[khray505]

Does anyone have the K023 mod ? Please.

 

[Harbinger98]

I'm a total noob, but enjoying the studio. Is there a way to control accessories (like a hair pin) through timeline? Turning on or off is all I need.
Thanks for any suggestions

 

[Harbinger98]

Quick question: In the video guide "Honey Select 2 Custom Animation Tutorial" by LavaLamp22, he mentions (at about the 15 minute mark) that you press "ctrl-N" to open the nodes constraints menu. When I press ctrl-N no menu opens, instead I get a message that I changed the shader on an element or something... Anyways, am I missing a mod to enable control of nodes constraints? I installed the NodesTweaks mod but no help. I'm using the most recent STN HS2 repack (R16?) and most recent STN sideloader addon. Also, is there a list of the keyboard controls-- I just discovered the shift-D control to open the character menu.
Thanks for any suggestions

 

[pgyrund]

Quick question: In the video guide "Honey Select 2 Custom Animation Tutorial" by LavaLamp22, he mentions (at about the 15 minute mark) that you press "ctrl-N" to open the nodes constraints menu. When I press ctrl-N no menu opens, instead I get a message that I changed the shader on an element or something... Anyways, am I missing a mod to enable control of nodes constraints? I installed the NodesTweaks mod but no help. I'm using the most recent STN HS2 repack (R16?) and most recent STN sideloader addon. Also, is there a list of the keyboard controls-- I just discovered the shift-D control to open the character menu.
Thanks for any suggestions

For the keyboard shortcuts, look at this post:
https://f95zone.to/threads/illusion...-maker-help-guides-thread.66252/post-18712807

 

[AmaNo04]

Quick question: In the video guide "Honey Select 2 Custom Animation Tutorial" by LavaLamp22, he mentions (at about the 15 minute mark) that you press "ctrl-N" to open the nodes constraints menu. When I press ctrl-N no menu opens, instead I get a message that I changed the shader on an element or something... Anyways, am I missing a mod to enable control of nodes constraints? I installed the NodesTweaks mod but no help. I'm using the most recent STN HS2 repack (R16?) and most recent STN sideloader addon. Also, is there a list of the keyboard controls-- I just discovered the shift-D control to open the character menu.
Thanks for any suggestions

Node Constraint shortcut was L.Ctrl+N before but now its changed to L.Ctrl+I.

 

[GIGABRAZ]

I have issue with changing the shader of clothes and accessories, when I click "material editor", no shader swap option appears...
How can I swap it ?

Edit: It works now for some reason

 

[Harbinger98]

WOW, thanks for the info! Thank you! Thank you!
I'm still not sure how to target accessories through timeline, but I have lots to start working on...
Thanks again!

 

[pgyrund]

WOW, thanks for the info! Thank you! Thank you!
I'm still not sure how to target accessories through timeline, but I have lots to start working on...
Thanks again!

I'm not 100% sure what you're trying to do, but there is one way I can think of, although it may involve a bit more work, depending on how complicated your animation is. Don't add the accessory to the character. Instead, add it as a separate object, then group it to the character's body part you want using NodeContraints, with the body part as the parent and the object as the child. Then, in TimeLine, you can Enable or Disable that object, or change any of its other properties, whenever you want.

Like I said, it's more work, but it does get the job done.

 

[Harbinger98]

I'm not 100% sure what you're trying to do, but there is one way I can think of, although it may involve a bit more work, depending on how complicated your animation is. Don't add the accessory to the character. Instead, add it as a separate object, then group it to the character's body part you want using NodeContraints, with the body part as the parent and the object as the child. Then, in TimeLine, you can Enable or Disable that object, or change any of its other properties, whenever you want.

Like I said, it's more work, but it does get the job done.

YYykes! I figured this out today, and got it working (on my own). I just logged in to post the answer, come to find you had already done it. I guess I'm still glad that I was able to figure something out on my own---> noob+1 day.
Thank you so much for the response!!

 

[Harbinger98]

STRANGE! Today I installed the VNGE mod in hopes of adding sound to the video. I just noticed a light blue headless manikin in the scene (sticking out its tongue). I can't move, select, or delete it. It is in every save file so I'm guessing it is part of a mod, probably VNGE. Anyone know what this is and how to get rid of it? I tried searching the forum but no luck.
Thanks for any help!

 

[Harbinger98]

STRANGE! Today I installed the VNGE mod in hopes of adding sound to the video. I just noticed a light blue headless manikin in the scene (sticking out its tongue). I can't move, select, or delete it. It is in every save file so I'm guessing it is part of a mod, probably VNGE. Anyone know what this is and how to get rid of it? I tried searching the forum but no luck.
Thanks for any help!

I was able to fix this by reconstructing the Bepin folder, now things seem OK, and the manikin is gone... must have been some sort of glitch...

 

[Harbinger98]

Latest question: Is there a way to control breathing or blush through timeline?
Thanks for any info!