Tips and Resources: Modding & Gposing
A Novice-Friendly Guide on Personal Modding & Gposing That No One Asked For (But I Did It Anyways)
Color Code:
Red: Important disclaimers/information that I feel is important to know, as well as warnings such as NSFW content.
Orange: General advice that may be useful
Purple: Marking names/information but aren't 100% important
Pink: Purely personal opinion; not important, take it with a grain of salt.
Blue: Topic Header, simply for organization.
DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a guide for making mods but for those who want to mod their characters and would like to know where to start, as well as gposing. Bear in mind for mods, this will be focusing on fem-based models as I play primarily AFAB/fem-base characters, and that is simply what I know best. If you have your own guides or tips you wish to add, please by all means link them!
I am doing this because I frequently get asked for gposing and modding advice, and I like to help when I can, and sometimes its just nice to have a resource to look at so you can find a good place to start. All of this is based off my own personal experience.
Just as well, I have no personal ties to the creators of any mods/poses/works/etc I post here nor any biases, these are just what work for me.
This is meant to be a guide/stepping stone, not a rulebook, please do not treat it as such.
With all of that out of the way, let's get started!
Sea of Stars Repository
Description: This plugin is, essentially, well, your essentials for modding. It has all the basics you need to start: penumbra, glamourer, heels, customize+, moodles, heliosphere, etc. Before they were all separated but thanks to the cooperation of all the creators of said plugins, along with Otter, we now have a single repository for all these plugins.
For the very basics, this repository will be all you need.
Penumbra: This is what will load in your mods.
Glamourer: This allows you to adjust your appearance in vanilla, as well as apply whatever gear/accessories you wish.
Customize+: This allows you to basically scale your character, clothes, hair, etc. I use this plugin often to make "sculpts" for my characters without the use of blender or special tools that do not require constant updating due to breaking models in-game. It is also highly recommended if you want a completely customized character to your tastes.
Heels: This adjusts your characters position in-game to account for footwear with heels to them without changing their model. Also useful for OCs that have digitigrade feet (aka "peets")
Brio / Ktisis: The current most supported posing tools. Both of them do the same as anamnesis but with extra features (i.e. summoning extra actors, applying/making MCDFs, summoning furniture, time/weather adjusting, etc). I personally use brio, so if you use ktisis and have any tips/guides to share I highly encourage it.
Dynamic Bridge: Works with glamourer to change your appearance automatically to set rule-based conditions. I have never used this plugin so I sadly have no advice to offer with this, forgive me.
Moodles: Give yourself custom status effects whether positive, negative, special, temporary or permanent. This is for vanity, but I personally use it in RP to link my carrd when using mod-sync plugins or posting "wcif" answers when attending public events!
Modding Websites and Repositories:
I'm going to address the elephant in the room: the state of modding in XIV right now is a bloody nightmare. Paid modding is rampant, and while I support creators being compensated for their work, I do not support the blatant disregard for quality for a quick buck, and the frequent grifting done by new creators who get into modding and immediately start charging for unoptimized and broken works.
And so: I will not be linking sites that allow or almost feature exclusively paid mods.
XIV Mod Archive:
(Yes I am aware, another elephant in the room, there's a myriad of problems with it because of what exactly gets posted there, but a sad reality is this: its the oldest repository and thus the most essential to this list as it does not allow paid mods period)
I personally use this as one of my many repositories, and can vouch for its (relative) ease of use. This is a good place to start for basic things such as hair, face, eyes, etc. This will be your best place to go for mods that do not frequently require updating, such as body mods and sculpts.
Heliosphere:
Yes, the website by the same name as the plugin above.
Heliosphere is a modding repository site that allows you to download mods straight from the website directly to your penumbra, and it has the benefit of automatically updating mods when creators push out updates.
This is especially useful for base bodies that may be frequently updated.
Some added benefits I personally like for my own reasons are also below:
Heliosphere strictly bans any mods promoting hateful content including but not limited to homophobia, transphobia, racism, etc.
It also strictly prohibits mod made or featuring content made with GenAI.
Extreme content has proper labels, which is useful for skin textures and mods that feature things such as scars, wounds, etc, allowing those with common triggers to browse comfortably with little risk of being exposed.
Mods have an optional simple-tagging system, allowing you to search for mods with specific features if the creator placed them and if you choose to use them.
I could go on but this is a guide, not an "Ellie Talks About Why Heliosphere Is Goated" post.
Body Models (The Basics):
Again, these are based on my own preferences and what I either use, or recommend. Also, this is for fem-based models ("fem" as in your in-game base, not what you identify your character as!)
I also highly recommend downloading these bodies from heliosphere for automatic updating when they do get updates!
Developed by Bizu, Illyriana, and Tsar, this is the very bare-bones body for fem-based models. Most third generation bodies use bibo-based UVs for skin, and depend on this to work properly! Be sure to read body requirements as some have their own custom textures that utilize bibo+'s UV layout!
Developed originally by Aleks, and further improved alongside Elegy, Yet Another Body (aka "YAB") is one of the most popular/supported bodies, has a custom skeleton used by many of the current bodies today (Yet Another Skeleton, aka "YAS"). Popular for those who want larger OCs with more muscles/body definition and customization with a flat tummy that works alongside almost every other body (almost) seamlessly that features a flat stomach. Can be utilized interchangeably with most body morphs.
Another popular body morph, Rue is the softer derivative utilizing YAB as a base, created by Elegy (the co-developer of YAB). Featuring a small belly, this is an easily customized body that allows for more body definition with the added tummy, as well as supports YAS skeleton for extra posing. Disclaimer: Rue at this current moment in time is only compatible with other rue-based bodies such as RueXB and LaRue. It does NOT work with base YAB, Neolithe, Libelly/Neobelly (whatever it's called), etc.
A derivative of YAB/Rue, Lavabod is created by Lavahange to be a more artistic rendition of a fem-based body with more breast/nipple options, as well as a more tapered waist with larger hips/buttocks. Lavabod has its own derivative called "LaRue" which is compatible with base Rue+ and included in the LavaBod base download!
Currently it supports all the original options available in Rue and YAB, supports a variety of chest shapes/sizes, and is always being updated with support by its creator.
A soft athletic body mod made by Skateboards (aka "SB"); this, in my opinion, is a more "modern" version of base bibo (think of it like YAB but slightly smaller). Along with having more size/shape support, it also has YAS skeleton support as well as supports BPF ("Better Pubes Framework", which I will link later) by Korbo.
One of the biggest trans/andro friendly body bases; Muse+ is made by Kydeimos using Tre as its base. Muse+ supports AMAB/AFAB genitalia with intersex options and a true flat chest model, along with custom genitalia piercings for all included models. Muse+ is compatible with base YAB as well as Tre!
Better Pubes Framework (aka "BPF") (NSFW)
A complete overhaul of public hair, Korbo has made a variety of shapes, trims and styles for pubic hair that stem from realistic styles to special shapes (and even some funny ones for the laughs). Most of the bodies above support BPF.
The elephant in the room: this originally went by "Nyl's Hotdog" (as I believe it originally used an asset by a 3D modeler who called it that); Cultist had changed the name earlier this year (for some rather obvious reasons, but I am not trans, so it is not my place to speak on it beyond that) and is still working on updating their older works with the new name/terms. A lot of older mods by other creators still use the original name, but most current mods use the new name; keep this in mind when looking for mods.
Yet Another Penis (aka "YAP" or "Yenis") is a YAB/Rue/Lavabod/LaRue based addon that allows for penis models on fem-based bodies. Yet Another Penis comes in various shapes, sizes, and is fully customizable with customize+, and is YAS compatible.
A masc/AMAB chest edit based on YAB/Rue/Lavabod/LaRue; essentially gives you options for a true flat chest/masc chest with pectoral muscles that is rue compatible. Think of it like Muse+ but now with the option of a rue+ tummy if you choose. This one is pretty self-explanatory.
A chest edit compatible with YAB/Rue based bodies, this allows you to have breasts with a more natural sag/separation. This is compatible with LavaBod but does NOT include the nipple edits that LavaBod has, but it supports all the sizes + buff.
A YAB/Rue based chest edit that acts as a spiritual successor to Bibo+ Uranus originally created by Saorsie, now maintained by Key. Uranus is the largest chest size before RueXB, supports YAB/Rue/LaRue, piercings, and has YAS support with smoother weights and a more natural appearance for larger/rounder breasts.
A chest edit compatible with YAB/Rue/Yet Another Tiddy/Lavabod/LaRue/YaMasc/Uranus that gives you puffier nipples/areola. I personally use this one myself and like it a lot as it adds some extra definition, and is compatible with Yet Another Piercing.
Below aren't specific poses I use, but these are creators who's poses I personally like working with as they make decent bases and are easy to fix.
Also be warned: most of these DO contain NSFW. Proceed with caution!
Sahja_Et_Al: Makes many pose packs, most popular is their "Rough Sketch" series that generally have a variety, some even include props/weapons.
ForeeverFreia: Many model-esque poses, some couple poses, generally good for more modern vibes.
Samirah: They're generally my go-to for NSFW/explicit poses, especially for couples. (WARNING: VERY NSFW)
Abacci Alkarah: Another creator who's poses I use for a lot of couple poses; they make a variety, from SFW to NSFW but lean more towards tasteful than explicit. Perfect for those who want to make more NSFW couple poses but want the ability to make it less explicit and lean more towards implication.
StrangeCalamity: One of the most popular pose makers out there, Eve has been in the game for as long as I've been in modding. She has a large variety, often putting out large pose packs that are easy to adjust and work very well for people who know how to play with their angles.
AMQ - The Artful Miqo: A recent favorite of mine, AMQ has another wide variety, from poses based on animations to prop-heavy poses. I also like that they show their poses on neutral mannequin bases so you know what you're getting.
He.lo: He.lo is a creator whose been around for many years; primarily focusing on poses leaning to fantasy, her poses are perfect for those who want to showcase weapons and armor.
So unfortunately for this one, I do not have much to offer as I only use one creator's shaders, and have been only using theirs for the better part of two-three years now.
For shaders, I prefer the ones made by Elva; they have a master collection set here that is easy to install. Since Gshade is more or less defunct since The Incident™ (this just explains what happened in a nutshell and why you shouldn't use gshade because I hate telling the story, and its a long walk for a short drink of water), ReShade is now the best shader program that works with XIV that is simple to use.
Personal Advice and Tips:
From this point on, this is all based on my own personal experiences as someone who's been gposing for many years. By no means is what I am going to say a rulebook, but more like a list of things to remember for your own sanity, as well as a general rule of etiquette when gposing and posting your gposes, as well as interacting with other gposers.
Personal Advice For Gposing & General Etiquette:
Practice Makes Perfect: You're not going to find a style and develop skills overnight. Learning how to gpose to a point you can be happy with will take time and effort. Do not compare yourself to someone who's been doing it for years, it will serve no purpose other than to cause you unnecessary stress.
Never be afraid of experimenting: The beauty of creating is being able to experiment with your style. Don't be afraid of trying things you never would before, whether it just be a new outfit, or even making another character to explore different aesthetics/concepts. You never know, you may find something new to enjoy!
Resources are public for a reason, use them: This goes to things like pre-made poses, props, etc. Creators spend a lot of time making and releasing these things for a reason, there's no shame in using them!
Show the same love you want to receive: This is a COMMUNITY, and while this is something I need to do more often myself, you cannot expect people to lift you up if you don't do the same for others. No one is asking you to kiss ass, but just like, repost, hell just say something nice about a creator's work. Even if its just a simple "Hey this looks really good!"; you could make a person's whole day with a few simple nice words.
If no one asked, don't say anything: No one likes unwarranted critique; do not give unsolicited advice to people who do not outwardly ask for it. While it may be done with good intentions, it can be seen as rude behavior.
Say No To GenAI: My stance on AI is pretty obvious, I'm vehemently against it. GenAI is the death of creativity and it has no place in art or gposing (or anything in general tbh). If you have any pride in your work, you should never put your gposes through any kind of AI filter, none of that. Editing is something you can easily pick up like gposing, with time and practice, and a lot of patience.
Technical Advice for Gposing:
Perspective is a gposer's best friend: Play with angles and perspectives with your character, this is not just limited to poses and backgrounds, but even facial expressions. So long as it looks good from the intended angle, nothing else matters.
If you can't see it's there, then you shouldn't care: Just like above, if it isn't in the final picture, then it does not matter. This includes busted/broken limbs, fingers, awkward floating, etc.
Animation mods make great bases for poses: Do not sleep on animation mods, especially special idles that include items/props. They can save you a LOT of time, especially if you don't want to spend a lot of time posing a special prop, as for animations, many props are made to fit the race specifically.
Phew, I know that is a lot, but I do hope this provides a good stepping stone for those who want to get into modding/gposing/etc.
By no means is this the definitive list with everything you need to know, but I hope it helps at least.
And please, if you have any advice, tips, guides, etc, worth mentioning? Share them. In a time where creativity is suffering due to world events, be the one to open the door for new creatives to step in and learn.
