VaM 1.x Too many dependencoes for my character

[electriceel]

Hi, I was about to uplaod a character today.
After I learned how to package to a var i was shocked to see all the dependencies. I don't want to make anyone go though the trouble of downloading them all.
How can i reduce them? Pls help out a noob.

Those are the dependencies attached to my character:

AcidBubbles.Timeline.210 By: AcidBubbles License: CC BY-SA Link: https://github.com/acidbubbles/vam-timeline
Agataki.Peeky_appearance_presets.latest By: Agataki License: CC BY
Androinz.Ellie_TLOU2_Modified_Fancy.3 By: Androinz License: FC Link: https://hub.virtamate.com/members/androinz.5842/
AnythingFashionVR.blackWhite_skirt.latest By: AnythingFashionVR License: CC BY-NC-ND Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/38158085
AnythingFashionVR.wool_Tights.latest By: AnythingFashionVR License: CC BY-NC-ND Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/39729982
AppetiteVisual.Codex_Morphicus.latest By: AppetiteVisual License: CC BY
AshAuryn.AshAuryn_Breast_Morphs_Re-Release.latest By: AshAuryn License: CC BY
AshAuryn.Expressions.latest By: AshAuryn License: CC BY Link: https://patreon.com/ashauryn
AshAuryn.Pose_Tools.latest By: AshAuryn License: CC BY Link: https://patreon.com/ashauryn
Bamair1984.Long_Hair.latest By: Bamair1984 License: CC BY Link: https://www.patreon.com/bamair1984
Blazedust.Script_ColorScale.1 By: Blazedust License: CC BY
Blazedust.Script_ParentHoldLink.1 By: Blazedust License: FC
Bob Nothing.Girlfriend1.1 By: Bob Nothing License: CC BY
Cgomes.1_scene_thamara.1 By: Cgomes License: FC
Cgomes.AVA_FUCK_json.1 By: Cgomes License: CC BY
Cgomes.THAMARA_FUCK_json.1 By: Cgomes License: CC BY
everlaster.RenVR_Originals_Pack1.latest By: everlaster License: CC BY-NC
everlaster.RenVR_Originals_Pack3.latest By: everlaster License: CC BY-NC
Frief.Sportsbra.latest By: Frief License: CC BY
hazmhox.clouds101.latest By: hazmhox License: CC BY-SA
hazmhox.white-room.1 By: hazmhox License: CC BY-SA
Hunting-Succubus.Enhanced_Eyes.latest By: Hunting-Succubus License: CC BY-NC Link: https://www.patreon.com/HunTingSuccuBus
Hunting-Succubus.Eye_WetLine_Test.latest By: Hunting-Succubus License: CC BY
Hunting-Succubus.EyeBall_Shadow.latest By: Hunting-Succubus License: CC BY-NC
Hunting-Succubus.FemaleBodySmootherTessellation.1 By: Hunting-Succubus License: CC BY Link: https://www.patreon.com/HunTingSuccuBus
ivansx.Geoshell_Catwoman_Samus.latest By: ivansx License: CC BY-NC-SA
Jackaroo.Eyes_Lips_Nails!.latest By: Jackaroo License: CC BY Link: patreon.com/Jackaroo
KdollMASTA.KDoll_Mk10.1 By: KdollMASTA License: CC BY-NC Link: https://www.patreon.com/KdollMASTA
kemenate.Decals.latest By: kemenate License: FC Link: https://hub.virtamate.com/resources/decals-pack-01-unisex.200/
kemenate.Female_Body_Hair.latest By: kemenate License: FC Link: https://hub.virtamate.com/resources/female-body-hair-pack.202/
kemenate.Morphs.latest By: kemenate License: FC Link: https://hub.virtamate.com/resources/morphs-unisex.213/
LFE.AutoPupil0.8 By: LFE License: CC BY-SA Link: https://github.com/lfe999/VamAutoPupil
MacGruber.Essentials.3 By: MacGruber License: PC EA Link: https://www.patreon.com/MacGruber_Laboratory
MacGruber.Essentials.6 By: MacGruber License: CC BY-SA Link: https://hub.virtamate.com/resources/macgruber-essentials.160/
MacGruber.Life.10 By: MacGruber License: CC BY-SA Link: https://hub.virtamate.com/resources/life.165/
MacGruber.Life.12 By: MacGruber License: PC EA Link: https://hub.virtamate.com/resources/life.165/
MacGruber.Life.13 By: MacGruber License: CC BY-SA Link: https://hub.virtamate.com/resources/life.165/
MacGruber.Life.7 By: MacGruber License: CC BY-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/MacGruber_Laboratory
MacGruber.PostMagic.3 By: MacGruber License: CC BY-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/MacGruber_Laboratory
mopedlampe.Morwyn.latest By: mopedlampe License: CC BY
MR.Windy_Forest.latest By: MR License: CC BY
Mr_CadillacV8.!Morphs!.latest By: Mr_CadillacV8 License: FC Link: https://www.patreon.com/Mr_CadillacV8
NoStage3.Hair_Long_Side_3.latest By: NoStage3 License: CC BY Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/45329967
NoStage3.Hair_Long_Side_5.latest By: NoStage3 License: CC BY Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/45630364
NoStage3.Hair_Long_Upswept_Top_Bun.latest By: NoStage3 License: CC BY Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/34411659
Oeshii.BaroquesqueHair.latest By: Oeshii License: FC Link: www.patreon.com/oeshii
particle pinnacle.missing_morphs.latest By: particle pinnacle License: CC BY
ParticlePinnacle.bellybutton_morphs.latest By: ParticlePinnacle License: CC BY
QBase.AutoMorphsFromEasyMate.latest By: QBase License: CC BY
RenVR.Sana.latest By: RenVR License: CC BY-NC Link: patreon.com/RenVR
Roac.Arty.latest By: Roac License: CC BY Link: https://www.patreon.com/Roac
Roac.Arty_alt_hairs.latest By: Roac License: CC BY
Roac.Elfin_hair.latest By: Roac License: CC BY Link: www.patreon.com/Roac
Roac.Flip_hair.latest By: Roac License: CC BY Link: www.patreon.com/Roac
Roac.Superlong.latest By: Roac License: CC BY Link: www.patreon.com/Roac
Saint66.Milf_Midage.latest By: Saint66 License: CC BY-NC
Saint66.Saint66_Eddie.latest By: Saint66 License: CC BY-SA
Saking55.AutoBulger.7 By: Saking55 License: CC BY
schnazzn.bodymorphs.latest By: schnazzn License: CC BY-SA
Spacedog.Import_Reloaded_Lite.latest By: Spacedog License: FC
Stopper.ClothingPluginManager.7 By: Stopper License: CC BY
Stopper.Shoe_Helper.4 By: Stopper License: CC BY
SupaRioAmateur.7th_Heaven_Clothing.latest By: SupaRioAmateur License: CC BY-NC-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/SupaRioAmateur
SupaRioAmateur.7th_Heaven_Fighter.latest By: SupaRioAmateur License: CC BY-NC-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/suparioamateur
SupaRioAmateur.Anaconda_Outfit.latest By: SupaRioAmateur License: CC BY-NC-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/suparioamateur
SupaRioAmateur.Breasts_Morphs_Assorted.latest By: SupaRioAmateur License: CC BY-NC-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/SupaRioAmateur
SupaRioAmateur.DoA_Bikini.latest By: SupaRioAmateur License: CC BY-NC-SA
SupaRioAmateur.FFX_Lulu.latest By: SupaRioAmateur License: CC BY-NC-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/SupaRioAmateur
SupaRioAmateur.Layered_Nip_8K.latest By: SupaRioAmateur License: CC BY-NC-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/SupaRioAmateur
SupaRioAmateur.Nails_as_Cloth.latest By: SupaRioAmateur License: CC BY-NC-SA Link: http://patreon.com/SupaRioAmateur
SupaRioAmateur.Navy_Stool_&_Poses.latest By: SupaRioAmateur License: CC BY-NC-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/SupaRioAmateur
SupaRioAmateur.Olga_Janetine_Hair.latest By: SupaRioAmateur License: CC BY-NC-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/SupaRioAmateur
SupaRioAmateur.Scarlet_FF7R.latest By: SupaRioAmateur License: CC BY-NC-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/SupaRioAmateur
SupaRioAmateur.Tron_Inspired_High_Ponytail.latest By: SupaRioAmateur License: CC BY-NC-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/vam-tron-high-32655199
TenStrip.Morphs.latest By: TenStrip License: FC Link: https://www.deviantart.com/tenstrip
TGC.Clothing_NooN_TapeGag.latest By: TGC License: CC BY-SA Link: https://www.deviantart.com/noone102000
TGC.Clothing_Richabri_LacewearTop.latest By: TGC License: CC BY-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/40090608
TGC.Clothing_Richabri_LingerieWristbands.latest By: TGC License: CC BY-SA Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/40047117
trety.EyesIrisFixes.latest By: trety License: FC
TToby.arms_morph_collection.latest By: TToby License: CC BY-NC
V2.___UniversalMorphCollection___.latest By: V2 License: FC Link: https://www.patreon.com
VaMChan.Hair_Afro_braids.latest By: VaMChan License: CC BY Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/hairstyle-short-34177301
VaMChan.Hair_Pigtails_and_Bangs.latest By: VaMChan License: CC BY Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/hairstyle-with-35133621
VaMChan.Yurufuwa_bob_02.latest By: VaMChan License: CC BY Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/39934236
Vamtastic.Layla_Look.latest By: Vamtastic License: CC BY
Vamtastic.Zang.latest By: Vamtastic License: CC BY-NC
VamXFan.Neutral-Environment-Color.latest By: VamXFan License: CC BY Link: https://www.patreon.com/VamXfan
vecterror._MorphCollection_.latest By: vecterror License: FC Link: https://www.patreon.com/vecterror
vecterror.MFmegaPackvol.latest By: vecterror License: CC BY-NC Link: https://www.patreon.com/vecterror
VeeRifter.BreastAutoGravity.2 By: VeeRifter License: CC BY-SA
VL_13.Shoe_KIT2.latest By: VL_13 License: CC BY Link: https://www.patreon.com/VL_13
WeebU.Futa_Hair.latest By: WeebU License: FC Link: https://www.patreon.com/oeshii https://www.patreon.com/nostage3
WeebU.My_morphs.latest By: WeebU License: FC Link: https://www.patreon.com/WeebUVR
WgSoup.WindControl+.8 By: WgSoup License: CC BY
Wolverine333.AMBER.latest By: Wolverine333 License: CC BY
Wolverine333.BARBIE.latest By: Wolverine333 License: CC BY
Wolverine333.JILL_LOOK.latest By: Wolverine333 License: CC BY
Wolverine333.LAUREN_2.latest By: Wolverine333 License: CC BY
Wolverine333.LAUREN_3.latest By: Wolverine333 License: CC BY
Wolverine333.LAUREN_4.latest By: Wolverine333 License: CC BY
Wolverine333.maria2_0_2.latest By: Wolverine333 License: CC BY
Wolverine333.MIA.latest By: Wolverine333 License: CC BY
Wolverine333.SHELBY.latest By: Wolverine333 License: CC BY
YameteOuji.Under_PantyBasic.latest By: YameteOuji License: CC BY Link: https://yameteouji.wixsite.com/store

 

[Clownmug]

I see a lot of packages with custom morphs. You could probably cut down on those by merging the character's active morphs.

Try one of these plugins:

Morph Merger - Plugins + Scripts -

Morph Merger for VaM Combine your look into one morph by merging your morphs. Share a character without needing to share all those morphs, receive a look / scene without having to worry about bad morphs. Create a 'base morph' for values that...

hub.virtamate.com

Morph Merge and Split - Plugins + Scripts -

Merges morphs together and properly split them into head and body morphs. Main features: Ability to merge morphs together Export the result in a whole body morph or separately for the head and the body Automatically fixes head height (preview...

hub.virtamate.com

 

[hazmhox]

How do you share the character? Appearance preset? If not (like a scene) don't, use appearance preset.
But overall :

• Create a character with zero clothes. Naked is the way to go to reduce the dependencies. Just suggest potential "free/CC-BY" usage through screenshots in your release.
• Prefere appearances. Scene is pointless... anyone knowing how to use VAM even at a "newcomer level" knows how to load an appearance
• Use merge as suggested by Clownmug IF and ONLY IF, you're using morph packages that allows usage through the licence you're targeting ( if CC-BY, you need to use morphs that are only CC-BY or more permissive like CC-0 )
• Don't load plugins on an appearance, like the clothes, suggest usages/best pratices in the release.

 

[Electric E-Boy]

How do you share the character? Appearance preset? If not (like a scene) don't, use appearance preset.
But overall :

• Create a character with zero clothes. Naked is the way to go to reduce the dependencies. Just suggest potential "free/CC-BY" usage through screenshots in your release.
• Prefere appearances. Scene is pointless... anyone knowing how to use VAM even at a "newcomer level" knows how to load an appearance
• Use merge as suggested by Clownmug IF and ONLY IF, you're using morph packages that allows usage through the licence you're targeting ( if CC-BY, you need to use morphs that are only CC-BY or more permissive like CC-0 )
• Don't load plugins on an appearance, like the clothes, suggest usages/best pratices in the release.

I am always looking for best practices regarding publishing as a beginner. So i am intrigued by the statement regarding scenes are pointless for sharing looks - every single look i have found so far is published with or through a scene, so you would say that is bad practice? What would you say if the morphs and presets are in one var, a showcase scene in another?

And why are some established and loved creators putting hub hosted clothing within their look scene itself (with all the files and textures instead of referencing them), increasing the size some times for hundreds of mb just for clothing (that you may already have)? Is this something you have to do to achieve something which can't be done otherwise or what could be the reason behind it? Isn't this this bad practice (as i thought before, also stated in several guides here)?

 

[atani]

And why are some established and loved creators putting hub hosted clothing within their look scene itself (with all the files and textures instead of referencing them), increasing the size some times for hundreds of mb just for clothing (that you may already have)? Is this something you have to do to achieve something which can't be done otherwise or what could be the reason behind it? Isn't this this bad practice (as i thought before, also stated in several guides here)?

Almost always one or more of these:

• don't know they shouldn't, the implications, or how to change that practice
• don't care
• want everything in there no matter what
• target audiences that can't access the Hub easily
• subscribers complain they don't know how to get dependencies

For a look maker, especially one that has a Patreon and depends on subscriptions, not adding clothes and a scene will jeopardise immensely his work because people are expecting all that.
Those who share for free don't have the concern about losing supporters, so they're more free to follow best practices.

Ideally you could have 2 VARs to please both worlds:

• VAR with just the naked person: appearance preset, textures, morphs, what is needed for the person, no scene
  • for those who want only the person
• VAR showcasing the person: takes the VAR above with the person and has a scene with clothes, environment, etc
  • for those that want the person showing off

 

[Electric E-Boy]

Great insights, didn't have all perspectives, thanks.

 

[SlimerJSpud]

One of the biggest issues with out of control dependency lists is assets like hair and clothing that were used from somebody else's scene or look, not the original standalone item. This will pull in the entire scene. Hair is really bad in this area. Just go in game and search for the Lee Pompadour in male hair to see what I mean. There are a dozen duplicates of it packaged in various looks. The only way to fix that is to make sure you use only the original item from the creator of that item. If you hover over the cube in the list of active items, it will tell you which var it came from. Then you go back to showing all items and search for that particular item. The original item is often last in the list, because all the packages that duplicated it came later. This is one of the biggest flaws in Vam, duplicate assets. The same can happen with morphs. You should also reduce the number of morph packages that get called. Pick one morph pack with morphs you like, and stick to that one, if possible.

 

[electriceel]

Thanks everyone for your help and thoughts!

 

[hazmhox]

And why are some established and loved creators putting hub hosted clothing within their look scene itself (with all the files and textures instead of referencing them), increasing the size some times for hundreds of mb just for clothing (that you may already have)? Is this something you have to do to achieve something which can't be done otherwise or what could be the reason behind it? Isn't this this bad practice (as i thought before, also stated in several guides here)?

Atani summarized pretty much the reason(s).
Well know/love creators does not mean best practices all the time.

For instance, the "don't create a scene" is a best practice to not enter a deep discussion about why. But it's quite simple: scenes can result in dozens of dependencies. Unless you know exactly what you're doing, it's prefered to avoid scenes until you know how to create a demo scene without creating additional dependencies.
But the day you know enough, you can do it. There's no rules against it : )

If your goal is to share appearance that can be used "as is" by a creator, without getting 30 dependencies on top of his scene. The best idea is to go to the lowest factor possible. Let's imagine you want to share a full character, hairs, morphs, clothes :

• Create an appearance, naked > make one release ( morphs/textures + hairs dependency )
• Create your hairs > make one release
• Create your clothes > make on release ( models/textures )

This is the pure best case scenario. But now, you have the reason why people generally don't go there : it's a bit of work to do things properly : )

And people tend to burn out on making proper releases. Now, you just have to choose your side