Hey everyone,

I’ve been on a bit of a nostalgia trip lately, and IMVU has been at the center of it. For a while, I wasn’t just a casual user—I was actually a creator. Back then, I used to spend hours on GIMP, making clothes and playing around with textures and meshes. It was honestly such a fun and creative outlet for me. There was something really satisfying about designing something, uploading it, and seeing people use and enjoy it in the game.

Even though I took a long break from IMVU (like I usually do every couple of years), I’ve been feeling that creative itch again. I’m seriously considering diving back into creating, but I’m also wondering how much things have changed since I was last active in the creator community.

So I’m reaching out to ask: what’s new for creators these days? Is GIMP still a solid option, or have most people switched to other programs like Photoshop or even Blender? I remember back then it was mostly GIMP, maybe some Photoshop, and a lot of trial and error. Has IMVU made any changes to the creator tools or system that I should know about?

Also, what’s the vibe like now in the creator community? Back then, it felt pretty collaborative. People would share tips, templates, and tutorials on forums or YouTube. Is that still a thing, or has the scene gotten more competitive and closed-off?

Another thing I’m wondering about is the whole credits side of things. I used to be able to earn a decent amount from my shop—nothing wild, but enough to keep my avatar fresh and even save up for the occasional room or bundle. Has that changed too? I know the marketplace is probably a lot more saturated now, but I’m hoping there’s still space for new (or returning) creators to find their niche.

I’d love any advice from current creators—whether you're full-time, part-time, or just doing it for fun. What tools do you use now? Are the IMVU Creator tools more user-friendly? Is the process for uploading and pricing items still pretty much the same?

Honestly, I miss the whole creative process. It was such a fun part of my IMVU experience, and now that I have more time again, I’d love to get back into it. It’d be great to reconnect with the community and catch up on all the updates.

So yeah, if you’re a current creator, or just recently got back into it yourself, I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts. What’s the best way to start creating again in 2025?

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Hi! I'm really glad to hear you're interested in creating on IMVU again. Right now, there are two main platforms you can use to create and upload products: IMVU Classic and IMVU Studio. While both are still functional, IMVU Studio is more advanced and better suited for modern product development. It offers features like normal maps, brightness control, and luminosity settings, which can really enhance the look and professionalism of your creations.

That said, many veteran creators still use IMVU Classic for uploading, especially if they're more comfortable with its interface or workflow. Personally, I've always used Photoshop for designing textures and graphics, and it's still my go-to tool. Lately, I've also been learning a bit of Blender to start creating custom meshes. It's definitely a learning curve, and things can get complicated, but it's a powerful tool once you get the hang of it.

Overall, the process of creating hasn't changed too much—what really shifts over time are the trends and how competitive the market has become. For example, the Y2K aesthetic and dark fashion with chains, crosses, and similar accessories are currently very popular on IMVU. If you browse the top pages in the catalog, you'll notice that a lot of the best-selling items follow those styles.