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What is happening?
IMVU is pleased to extend the public beta of our new desktop product, IMVU Desktop, to Windows users! Now Windows users will be able to access and explore the new IMVU Desktop, which will run alongside your current IMVU Classic (IMVU Client).
Where can I get it?
The IMVU Download page is always up to date with our most recent releases. Here, you can find IMVU Desktop, the IMVU Classic (IMVU Client), and links to the mobile store of your preference.
https://www.imvu.com/next/download/latest/
Where is the IMVU Classic (IMVU Client)?
This new desktop experience will co-exist with your current IMVU Classic (IMVU Client), while we continue to work hard to develop an experience that includes all of your favorite features and more.
The current IMVU Classic will continue to be available to our users and we have NO CURRENT PLANS TO REMOVE IT.
Why do you have a NEW IMVU Desktop?
IMVU has been around an amazing 15 going on 16 years! A lot has changed in that time regarding software development, and IMVU has innovation as a major priority at its core. We created a new version of IMVU on a new engine with the future in mind. With IMVU Desktop, you can expect all the best innovation and new features to be added that will make your IMVU experience even better.
What is different about the NEW IMVU Desktop?
IMVU Desktop has a fresh look and loads of exclusive features such as Live Rooms and the Feed - and more will be coming!
What are Live Rooms?
Live Rooms are a new way to express yourself and throw events and parties on IMVU. You can hold hundreds of viewers in your Live Room. Start by getting the Host Subscription, which will give you a Live Room token and an extra Room Slot just in case! You can change any of your rooms to a Live Room with the Host Subscription.
If you’re a Creator, try setting up your items in a Live Room so users can see them on display! You can throw parties of any kind, or simply hold a Talk Show Q&A! We can’t wait to see what types of events you’ll throw.
Read more about Live Rooms here!
Why aren’t you adding these features to the current IMVU Classic (IMVU Client)?
Our original IMVU Classic limits the fun new features we have in mind for the future because it is no longer technologically available. We chose to invest in a new engine so we could build new features that would not be possible on the original client, simply because so much has changed in software the last 15 years.
I’m a Greeter. Will I still be able to help new users?
Greeters will now be able to help new users in Chat Now, which features a multi-user chat experience to drive more conversation and discovery.
Learn more about the Greeter Program here!
How would Peer Review be affected? Can we still Peer Review?
Currently, the peer review web portal is only compatible with IMVU Classic (IMVU Client). If you only have IMVU Desktop on your computer, you may proceed to the IMVU Website instead. To learn more, check out this article.
Badges?
We will be working on a solution for integrating badges in a future release.
Music playlists?
We will be working on a solution for music in a future release.
Where are the new Creator Tools in the new desktop client?
Going forward, the Creator functionality of IMVU will be a separate client from the user chat and avatar experience. As we reviewed your feedback, we concluded that separating the two offerings would improve the experience for both users and Creators, resulting in smaller downloads, independent development on each client, and therefore faster releases for both.
If you are a Creator, you may continue to use the Creator tool on the current IMVU Classic.*.
*(Windows only, Mac Creators read more here)
*Early concept user interface. May be different in the final release.
IMVU Studio is available as a Private Alpha for Mac and Windows. If you are interested in being one of the early testers of the new Creator client, please email creator.advocate@imvu.com.
Will I be able to use all the current products I own and have paid for over the years?
All products will remain compatible with IMVU Desktop except for products that have Flash components. We will be working on a solution for sound in a future release.
For Creators, products created in the new IMVU Studio will be compatible with the current IMVU Classic, but new visual features built into products, such as normal and specular maps, will not be visible.
Sound triggers?
We will be working on sound trigger compatibility in IMVU Desktop and IMVU Studio in a future release.
Will IMVU Studio still be compatible with Cal3d file formats? (XMF, XSF, XRF, etc.)?
Yes, we are retaining the option to import via Cal3d file formats.
We are also improving our FBX import functionality, and to make it easier to swap or update elements of an FBX import into your working project without having to start over each time.
Will IMVU Studio support larger texture sizes?
Yes, we are working towards allowing larger texture sizes for published products in a future release.
Will you still be able to create products without normal/spec maps? Will those products still work in the current IMVU Classic?
Yes and yes!
- Rendering
- Define materials with specular and normal maps
- Define meshes that can cast and/or receive shadows
- Define a spot light that can cast shadows
- Ability to use texture maps up to 1024x1024
Compatibility
Products created in IMVU Studio will be optimized for the new IMVU Desktop, but will also be compatible with the current IMVU Classic (IMVU Client)!
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