Getting Started

1. Get your first character

MoniV displays transparent video characters on the Windows desktop. Character packs are not bundled with the app. Get a .moniv file from a creator, or make a character using your own videos.

• Create your own character

2. Import a character

Starting MoniV opens the Character Library. Choose Import a character in the upper right and select a .moniv file. You can also restore a .monivproj project backup from the same file picker.

If the character already exists, MoniV asks before updating or replacing it. Check the name and version before continuing.

3. Show it on the desktop

Select the character in your library and choose Show on Desktop. You can display up to 10 characters. Use the On the Desktop list to replace or hide a character.

Hide from Desktop keeps the character in your library. You can show it again at any time.

4. Move, resize, and interact

• Drag a visible part of the character with the left mouse button to move it.
• Scroll over the character to resize it. Hold Alt while scrolling for finer adjustment.
• Click to switch videos. A character with an On Click video plays that reaction when you click its interaction area.
• Move the cursor back and forth inside a petting area to play an On Pet reaction. The character needs an On Pet video for this feature.
• Clicks on transparent areas pass through to the app behind the character.
• Right-click to open links, go to the library or editor, or hide the character.

5. Control multiple characters

Hold Ctrl and click characters to select a group. Drag or scroll to move or resize them together. Press Esc or click outside the characters to clear the selection.

6. Choose your language and startup behavior

Open App Settings in the upper right of the library. Under Language, choose Automatic, 日本語, or English. Automatic uses Japanese on Japanese Windows and English otherwise. Changes apply to open windows and are remembered on restart.

Start with Windows controls automatic startup. It is enabled on the first launch of the distributed app. Automatic startup restores your saved character layout.

To close a character, hide it from its right-click menu or close its window from the Windows taskbar.