Shimeji Template -

To create your own Shimeji, you can use a "shimeji blank template" or a base image set from existing desktop buddies to ensure your animations align correctly. Most Shimeji programs require a folder containing exactly 46 to 48 PNG files named numerically (e.g., shime1.png to shime46.png) which depict various actions like walking, sitting, and climbing. Getting Started with Templates

Download a Base: Look for a "shimeji blank template" or download an existing character set to use as a guide for character positioning. The Shimeji-ee project is a popular open-source version that provides these base image sets.

Sprite Specifications: Use a canvas size of 128x128 pixels for each frame to maintain standard quality without distortion.

Drawing Tools: You can use any digital art software like Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or even mobile apps. Pixel art is common because it remains clear at small desktop scales. shimeji template

Online Editor: For a more guided experience, the Shimeji Editor allows you to upload sprites over a "Blank Guy" template to see real-time updates. Setting Up Your Files Making Mini XIAO! | Shimeji Desktop Buddy!

Part 8: Legal & Distribution Ethics

Before you share your custom Shimeji online, consider the template's license.

If you are creating an original character, using a blank template is 100% fine. If you are ripping sprites from a commercial video game, do not distribute the pack; keep it for personal use. To create your own Shimeji, you can use

Shimeji Template — Text Guide

🖥️ Looking for a Shimeji Template? Start Here.

If you want to make your own Shimeji (the little anime/custom character that walks around your screen), you need the base template first. Here’s everything you need to get started.

Critical Components Explained:

The XML File (Behavior Script): This is the brain. It tells the Shimeji how long to idle, how fast to walk, and which images to use for each action. Most templates include a default behavior.xml or img_action.xml that you usually do NOT need to edit unless you are an advanced user.
The Sprite Sheet vs. Individual Frames: Older templates used a single large PNG sheet. Modern templates (for the newer Shimeji-ee fork) use individual PNG files per frame. When searching for a "Shimeji template," look for the individual frame layout as it is easier to edit.
Size Constraints: Standard templates expect images roughly 24x24 pixels to 48x48 pixels. Larger images (100x100) work, but they will clip off the screen edges.

Chapter 3: The Swap

This was the "aha!" moment. Leo didn't need to write code. He just needed to play a game of creative substitution.

He took his drawings of Biscuit and carefully resized them to fit the dimensions of the template images (usually around 128x128 pixels, though they can be larger). He made sure the transparency was correct (saving them as PNGs with transparent backgrounds) and saved them with the exact same filenames as the template. Most blank templates are Creative Commons (CC BY-NC)

He took his drawing of Biscuit walking right and saved it as shime5.png.
He took his drawing of Biscuit crawling up a wall and saved it as shime30.png.
He took his drawing of Biscuit sitting and saved it as shime9.png.

The Ultimate Guide to Shimeji Templates: Create Your Own Desktop Pet

If you have ever spent time on Twitch, DeviantArt, or any anime fan forum, you have likely seen them: a tiny, chibi character scurrying across a computer screen, climbing windows, dangling from the taskbar, or multiplying until they cover the desktop. These are Shimeji, a beloved type of desktop mascot.

But what if you want a character that isn't part of the standard pack? What if you want your own original character (OC), a personalized mascot, or a meme character? This is where the Shimeji template becomes essential. A Shimeji template is the skeleton key to creating custom desktop companions without needing advanced coding skills.

In this article, we will dissect everything you need to know about Shimeji templates: what they are, how they work, where to find them, and a step-by-step guide to building your own.

Part 2: The Anatomy of a Shimeji Template

A standard Shimeji template is not just one image; it is a comprehensive folder containing dozens of individual poses and movements. If you download a generic template, you will find a structure similar to this:

/shimeji-template
│   img_action.xml (or behavior.xml)
│   readme.txt
└───/img/
    │   icon.png
    │   shime1.png (Idle pose 1)
    │   shime2.png (Idle pose 2)
    ├───/walk/
    │       0.png (Walk frame 1)
    │       1.png (Walk frame 2)
    ├───/climb/
    │       0.png, 1.png, 2.png...
    ├───/hang/
    │       0.png, 1.png...
    └───/divide/
            0.png, 1.png (Splitting animation)