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!