Guides

Hands-on, step-by-step guides for bringing your desktop to life, adding characters to your stream and making your own transparent GIFs.

• What is a desktop pet? A short history and how to get one on Windows

  What a desktop pet is, how we got from Neko to Shimeji, and how to get a free cat that roams your Windows 10 or 11 screen. Step-by-step guide.

• How to put a GIF on your desktop: an always-on-top GIF guide for Windows

  Ways to put a GIF on your Windows 10 or 11 desktop: always on top, click-through, with transparent GIF and WebM files. Step by step and free.

• Add animated characters to OBS: a stream overlay character guide

  Add animated characters with a transparent background to OBS Studio and Streamlabs: browser source settings, sizing and performance tips.

• Make transparent GIF, WebM and PNG stickers with free tools

  How to make a transparent GIF, a WebM with alpha and PNG stickers with free tools, the right export settings, and how to upload them to ErtePals.

• Shimeji alternative: Shimeji-style apps vs ErtePals, an honest comparison

  Looking for a Shimeji alternative? We honestly compare Shimeji-style desktop character apps with ErtePals — strengths, limits and who each one suits.