What is an Avatar and how can I customize it?

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What is an Avatar?

Ever dreamed of being a superhero? We’re sure you have! Or you might have dreamed of being the fairy princess in an enchanted forest, or the shining knight against the fearsome dragon, or the reckless outlaw doing incomparable derring-dos!

In IMVU, you can be anyone you wish to be with your very own online persona, your Avatar!

An avatar is a 3D virtual representation of YOU -- either the real you, or the persona you choose to be at any particular time (In IMVU you can change how you look as often as you like!).

IMVU's avatar's are 3-Dimensional human figures that live and breathe in the virtual world. You can control their movements, their moods, and their position within the "scenes" or Rooms. Each avatar can be equipped with an extensive palette of postures, stances and gestures that you can select by simply clicking on the avatar itself and choosing an action from the menu provided. You can also perform actions for your avatar by typing the name of those actions ("triggers") you see listed in the animation menu into the IMVU window and hitting Enter (Hint: try typing “wave”, “lol”, “flip”, “omg”, “bd”)
 

How can I customize my Avatar's appearance?

Customizing your avatar is very easy to do and is something you can continually update and change. When you register with IMVU, you select an avatar and customize your initial default appearance. If you want to change your looks later, you can always buy new skins, hair, facial features, outfits, accessories, pets, scenes and a whole lot more from the IMVU Catalog. 

After you make a purchase, the item is delivered to your Inventory and becomes available to be used whenever you like. Please note that the items will not be automatically worn on your avatar upon purchase, and will need to be equipped from your inventory (check out this video to learn how!). All catalog purchases are made using IMVU credits, which themselves can either be earned or purchased.
 

How many Avatars can I own?

You may only own one copy of any particular type of avatar (IMVU guy, IMVU girl, or any developer submission). Purchasing multiple copies of the same avatar will not add more of those avatars to your inventory.
 

Can I change Avatars completely?

Absolutely! And you may do this in several ways:

• You may further customize the avatar you have. Go to the catalog to purchase new skin color, hair styles, facial features, clothing, accessories, etc. You'd end up having a completely different look!

• You may buy a new type of avatar from the catalog. Hover your mouse on the Shop tab at the top of the IMVU page, click on Browse the Catalog, and go to the section entitled Avatars. Remember, you may only own one copy of any particular type of avatar.

• You may register a new account with a different avatar (i.e., changing from IMVU guy to IMVU girl).

You may also become a Creator and invent a new avatar! To learn more about how to create and sell your own items on IMVU, hover your mouse on the Community tab at the top of the IMVU page, then click on Creator Program. Register, download the developer kit, do the tutorial and read the "how to" docs. You will need to be a VIP in order to register as a developer.