You already have a Live2D model. You use it on stream every day. But the moment you try to turn that character into merch, the information suddenly dries up. There are countless tutorials on how to build a model, yet almost nothing explains the next step: where do you even begin if you want to make goods from it? That gap is real.
In this article we first lay out exactly what kind of data a Live2D model is, and then compare the merch options in four routes: flat goods, pseudo-3D images, 3D data and physical 3D objects. We are upfront about the limits of each one.
What you will learn
- Why you cannot export a 3D model directly from Live2D data
- What happened to the product called Euclid
- The four options (flat, pseudo-3D, 3D data, physical) and the constraints of each
- The basic file specifications to know when ordering acrylic stands
Note: Figmee currently lets you generate and download figurine-style images and 3D model data (GLB / 3MF) from pictures and illustrations you upload. Sales of physical 3D printed items are Coming Soon.
The premise: Live2D data is not 3D data
This is the single biggest reason people get stuck when trying to make merch.
Live2D Cubism is a technology that splits one illustration into parts and deforms them so that it "looks as if it is moving in three dimensions." The official description also positions Live2D as a technology that animates the illustration exactly as drawn, preserving the appeal of the original art, rather than rebuilding a similar-looking 3D representation (source: Live2D Cubism Editor official page, as of July 2026).
In other words, the Live2D model you have contains no three-dimensional shape data. What it contains are the parts of the illustration and the information about how to deform them. That is exactly why the touch of the original art survives so faithfully, which is a big strength, but it also means that "exporting it as a 3D model" is impossible by design.
This property also shows up in how far the model can turn. It has been reported that conventional Live2D technology was limited to changes in orientation of roughly 30 to 40 degrees, and turning the character fully sideways or around to the back was never part of the design (source: ITmedia NEWS, "Live2D Euclid: illustrations shown in 360-degree 3D exactly as the original art", December 2014). The "three-dimensional movement" you see on stream is entirely a matter of deformation around the front view.
Once you understand this, it becomes clear what you can and cannot ask for when you discuss merch with someone. For the basics of what a 3D model is, see What Is a 3D Model?.
Euclid: the answer that once existed, and where it stands now
When you research the Live2D ecosystem, you may come across the name "Euclid." It was a product that aimed for all-around representation while staying a 2D illustration, and it was said to support setups such as a face that remains 2D on a body that is 3D.
However, it is no longer available. On October 16, 2018, Live2D Inc. announced that it would stop selling and distributing Euclid. The company explained that developing what Euclid aimed for to a level suitable for widespread use would require another major overhaul of its specifications, so it chose to concentrate its development and support resources on Cubism. User support continued until April 16, 2019, and a discount for migrating to Cubism was offered (source: Live2D Inc., "On the suspension of sales and distribution of Live2D Euclid").
Old articles and introduction pages sometimes still carry information about Euclid, so if you start digging in the hope that "this might let me make it 3D," you will waste your time. The accurate picture today is that Cubism is Live2D's core product, and the know-how from Euclid has been folded into it.
Comparing the four merch routes
Starting from a Live2D model you already own, the paths forward split broadly into four.
| Route | What you can make | Source data | Main constraints |
|---|---|---|---|
| ① Flat goods | Acrylic stands, button badges, stickers, etc. | The original illustration (PSD, etc.) | No three-dimensional expression |
| ② Pseudo-3D images | Images with a figurine-style look | The original illustration | An image, not 3D data |
| ③ 3D model data | 3D data such as GLB / 3MF | The original illustration | Live2D motion does not carry over |
| ④ Physical 3D objects | 3D printed output, garage kits, etc. | Data from ③ or a prototype sculpt | Requires separate design for fabrication and outside orders |
The key point is that every route starts not from "the Live2D model" but from "the original illustration." The rig and deformation information in Live2D is basically unusable in the merch process. What you use is the single illustration that served as the model's source material, or a new piece drawn specifically for the purpose.
That may sound disappointing, but put the other way around, it also means you can do all of this without owning a Live2D model at all. As long as you have an illustration, you are already at the starting line for merch.
① Flat goods: the most realistic option, with plenty of information
This is the most common route for VTuber merch. Acrylic stands are a particular staple, and many printers that handle doujin goods accept small runs from individuals.
The basic file specifications are broadly similar from company to company. A resolution of around 350 dpi at actual size is recommended. Because printing directly on clear acrylic makes the colors see-through, you prepare a "white plate" on a separate layer, which lays down white ink beneath the design. And since the cut position can shift by about 1 mm, the general guideline is to place the cut line at least 2 mm away from the illustration (source: Dojin Goods.jp, "How to prepare print data for acrylic goods", as of July 2026).
The good thing about this route is that information, vendors and options are all plentiful, so it is hard to get lost. On the other hand, it is flat, so naturally you cannot create an experience where changing your viewing angle changes what you see.
When you prepare art for flat goods, note that the PSD you drew for Live2D may not be usable as is. Live2D source material is split into parts such as eyes, mouth and individual locks of hair, with hidden areas painted in as well. For merch, you need to merge it back into one image and sort out how the parts overlap. Because of the way it was split, unnatural-looking seams can also appear, so if you have the time, finishing a separate single illustration for merch gives more consistent results.
②③ Routes toward 3D: making 3D data with AI
When you reach the stage of "I want to show the same character in a form that is not flat," generating a 3D model from an illustration becomes an option.
Figmee is a service that covers this route. It generates a figurine-style image from an illustration you upload, builds a 3D model from it, and lets you rotate it 360° in your browser to check it. You can download it as GLB / 3MF and also export it as a 360° turntable video. It gives you a way to show your character other than a flat standing illustration, for example in stream announcements or to gauge interest before taking merch orders.
How the AI estimates the three-dimensional shape is explained in How Image-to-3D AI Works.
The limits are clear, though. None of the expression variations or motion you built into Live2D carries over. What you get is a static 3D shape estimated from a single picture, with no blinking and no lip sync. Please understand that motion, the greatest value a Live2D model has, cannot be reproduced on this route.
In addition, the back, which is not drawn in the picture, is filled in by the AI's estimation. If you care about the hairstyle at the back of the head or the design of the back, checking the result after generation is a must.
Your choice of input picture also affects the result. If you use a standing illustration as is, one that faces forward, shows the full body and does not have the arms heavily overlapping the body tends to work best. Conversely, poses with one hand thrust forward or compositions with large overlapping effects make it hard to read which outlines are in front and which are behind, and tend to produce unintended shapes. If your main stream illustration has an elaborate composition, preparing a simple standing pose specifically for 3D testing is the faster route in the end.
If you want to compare several tools, we have summarized the differences in terms of how faithfully they reproduce an illustration in Image-to-3D AI Tools Compared.
④ Physical 3D objects: outside processes are required
After the 3D data is ready, producing it as a physical object is a separate process. The common approach is to bring the data to an outside 3D printing service, and there is also the path of handling small runs as garage kits.
What you should keep in mind here is that being able to make the data and being able to print it are two different problems. Thin hair tips and accessories break during printing if they fall below the minimum feature size. We cover choosing materials and thinking about thickness in How to 3D Print an Illustration.
Physical output from Figmee is Coming Soon; at present, what we provide stops at digital data.
A suggested order of steps
When in doubt, the following flow is a reasonable order.
- Prepare the original illustration. Decide on the one picture you will use for merch, or draw a new one. A picture that shows the full body without the arms overlapping the body too much is easier to work with.
- Start with flat goods. Information is plentiful, mistakes are less likely, and you can gauge how orders respond.
- Try a three-dimensional presentation. Generate a 3D model, make a turntable video, and see the reaction before moving on to considering a physical piece.
- Consider a physical piece. Get quotes from printing services and confirm the fabrication constraints.
If you skip ahead and aim for a physical piece from the start, you end up learning design for fabrication and ordering at the same time, which is a heavy load. If at step 3 you are unsure whether to try the "make it move" direction or the "make it 3D" direction first, it helps to line up GIF animation, Live2D, 3D conversion and AI video side by side and compare what each requires you to prepare and roughly how long each takes.
It is also worth thinking about when to take orders. In VTuber activity, merch is often released to coincide with anniversaries, milestone years or big streaming events. Flat goods have a predictable lead time from submission to delivery, while 3D items become harder to predict once fabrication revisions come in. If you want to tie a 3D item into an event with a fixed date, it is safest to set an early deadline for finishing the data and to get printing quotes with plenty of margin.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert a Live2D model file directly into GLB?
No. Live2D data does not contain three-dimensional shape information. If you need 3D data, you will have to build a new 3D model from the original illustration (or generate one with AI).
Can I still use Euclid today?
No. Sales and distribution stopped on October 16, 2018, and support ended on April 16, 2019. What Live2D Inc. currently offers is Cubism.
Can I animate the generated 3D model on stream?
Figmee generates a static 3D model with no bones (skeleton), so it cannot be animated as is. To animate it, you need to rig it separately. We explain rigging in What Is Rigging?. For a streaming avatar, the proper approach is to build a Live2D or 3D model made for that purpose.
Can I make merch of a fan-art character?
You need to follow the rights holder's guidelines, and the conditions differ by character. With your own original character, you have much more freedom. We sort out how to think about rights when making merch in Can You Sell Original Character or Fan Art Figurines?.
What if an agency or the creator holds the rights to the model?
Who owns the copyright to a Live2D model depends on the contract made when it was created. The copyright to the illustration and the copyright to the modeling may belong to different people, and making merch may require permission from both. If the model was commissioned, check the contract and the communications at delivery, and if anything is unclear, the surest course is to ask the creator directly.
Summary
People get stuck making Live2D merch not because information is lacking, but because the premise that Live2D data is not 3D data is not widely shared. Once you understand that the starting point is not the Live2D model but the original illustration, the question lands in a well-documented area: "making merch from an illustration."
Flat goods have plenty of options and information. Beyond that, if you want to try a 3D presentation as a different way of showing your character from motion, there is the route of generating a 3D model from an illustration. The realistic approach is to understand the limit that Live2D motion does not carry over, and to use each route for its own purpose.
Related guides
- How to Turn an Illustration into 3D (2026 Guide): Bring Your Lineart to Life with AI
- How to Turn Your Illustrations Into 3D Goods (2026 Guide): The Next Step After Acrylic Stands
- How to Turn Your Original Character into 3D (2026): The Shortest Route Without Reference Sheets
- Can You Sell Original Character or Fan Art Figurines?
