FILE 003 CREATIVE / 2026
A custom desktop companion that lets a small version of Shiori Novella live, move, and react directly on the desktop.
OVERVIEW DESKTOP COMPANION
Shiori MateEngine began with a simple goal: create a small version of Shiori Novella that could live on the desktop as an interactive companion.
The project adapts the character model to MateEngine, an open-source desktop mascot platform. The current package works reliably, while audio and personality-focused additions remain active areas of development.
WORKFLOW MODEL TO DESKTOP
The work connects model preparation, engine setup, MateEngine compatibility, and a portable release package.
Organize the character, rig, and supporting assets for use outside the original environment.
Configure the model and required behavior inside the engine workflow.
Resolve compatibility details so the character loads and behaves correctly.
Export the companion as a portable MateEngine character file.
01 DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
MateEngine is designed as an open-source alternative to Desktop Mate. Access to its source, documentation, and custom-character workflow made this version of the project much easier to develop than the earlier Desktop Mate approach.
Instead of treating the host program as a closed box, the project could work with a documented system and iterate directly on the model package until Shiori behaved correctly.
CONSTRAINT LOG INTEGRATION WORK
The central problem was not creating a static model—it was getting that model to function correctly inside MateEngine’s companion system.
The character needed to meet MateEngine’s expectations for its model, rig, hierarchy, and packaged assets.
Loading successfully was only the first step. The character also needed to display and behave correctly during normal desktop use.
The next challenge is selecting suitable audio clips that make the companion feel recognizably like Shiori without becoming repetitive.
RESULT CURRENT STATE
The custom character is functioning well inside MateEngine and already achieves the original goal of putting a small Shiori on the desktop.
Development is continuing with a focus on audio. Carefully chosen clips will add more personality and make the companion feel less like a model viewer and more like Shiori sharing the desktop.
PROJECT RELEASE GITHUB
The repository contains the Shiori-MateEngine.me package. Download the file and add it to MateEngine to load the custom companion.
OPEN GITHUB REPOSITORY ↗TOOLCHAIN MODEL / ENGINE / PACKAGE
Shiori MateEngine is an unofficial fan-made project and is not affiliated with COVER Corp. or hololive production.