[PLEASE READ] Critical Update: Temporary FaceRig Virtual Camera Replacement

Virtual Camera + Broadcasting Update:

Today we are releasing a pre-emptive update to FaceRig to ensure that you can continue using FaceRig’s broadcast functionality to livestream and video chat. This update includes a new virtual camera driver called the Animaze Virtual Camera. You will need to install this device, which serves as a backup for the FaceRig virtual camera, to continue live streaming and video chatting with FaceRig after January 1st, 2021. Please read the details below in full so you can continue using FaceRig without interruption!

On Jan 1, 2021, the FaceRig virtual camera driver’s digital signature will expire. When the signature expires, the virtual camera will cease to function on most devices. We are in the process of updating the driver’s digital signature, but it is not yet complete. To ensure you can continue using FaceRig without interruption after Jan 1, we’ve released an update today that includes the virtual camera driver developed for Animaze. This driver is virtually identical to the FaceRig virtual camera - the only notable difference between these drivers is the expiration date of their digital signatures.

Starting on Jan 1, 2021, we recommend that you switch to the Animaze virtual camera driver to avoid any potential broadcasting issues. The Animaze virtual camera driver is built as a fallback, and will not function until the FaceRig virtual camera driver certificate expires on Jan 1.

How to Install and Use the Animaze Virtual Camera Driver:

The Animaze virtual camera driver should be automatically installed when you open the latest version of FaceRig after updating. Alternatively, you can install the driver manually by navigating to <YourSteamInstallDirectory>\Steamapps\common\FaceRig\Bin\prerequisites\AnimazeVirtualCamera and running the install.bat file.

When you install the Animaze Virtual Camera, it may be set as the default camera device on your PC. If necessary, make sure you change that setting to utilize your preferred device after installing the Animaze Virtual Camera. Remember that the Animaze Virtual Camera will not function until the FaceRig Virtual Camera ceases to work on Jan 1, 2021.

To use the Animaze Virtual Camera, follow the exact same steps that you would follow using the FaceRig Virtual Camera.

Restoring the FaceRig Virtual Camera:

Once we receive the updated digital signature for the FaceRig virtual camera driver, we will release a subsequent update that restores its functionality. When we release this update, you should resume using the FaceRig virtual camera driver; the Animaze virtual camera driver will cease to function. We hope to release this update and restore functionality of the FaceRig virtual camera driver in January 2021.

There are no other changes to FaceRig included in today’s update, and the Animaze Virtual Camera driver has no functionality beyond enabling broadcasting. This update is part of our commitment to provide critical product support to FaceRig and ensure its continued functionality through Dec 31, 2021.

If this update causes any issues with your FaceRig experience, you can revert to the previous version of FaceRig by right clicking FaceRig in your Steam Library, selecting Properties, going to the ‘Betas’ tab, and selecting the beta describing the previous version beta from the dropdown menu. This beta does not require a password. Please note that you will still need to use the appropriate virtual camera, regardless of which FaceRig version you are running.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Twitter, via email ([email protected]), or on Discord with any questions.

March 16'th, 2021 - Follow-up:

Over the last two months and a half, we have seen the virtual webcam driver certificate expiration has proved to be much less of an issue than we initially thought (it was affecting only a very small minority - the vas majority can use the old drivers with no problems), so we will not be pushing any more updates on the matter.

We are sorry for any confusion this patch might have caused: Internally we have miss-assessed the importance of the certificate expiration and what detrimental effects it could have (our expertise is not with device driver certificates).
We are a small team and we became aware of this certificate issue and its expiration quite late in 2020. We couldn't risk it having a potentially disruptive effect on the FaceRig community that is why we have rushed to provide this patch, out of an excess of caution. Hopefully, people can see now that both the patched and unpatched versions of FaceRig continue to function normally, with no differences.

To avoid that kind of misunderstanding in the future, we are reconsidering how to approach FaceRig support. We will not preemptively patch the FaceRig Main Branch unless we first validate with 100% accuracy that the problem we are trying to prevent would indeed affect the majority of users.

Thank you for your continued support!

All the Best,
Team Holotech