Create Your First AU Chat

Create Your First AU Chat

Your first scene can begin with a simple conversation.

In this tutorial, you will create a project, add two fictional characters, set up the accounts needed for your chosen chat platform, and turn a short exchange into a PNG image.

What You Will Create

We will use a fictional story called After Class.

Maya and Leo are classmates preparing for a school event. Maya wants to know whether Leo has finished the event poster.

Your conversation will look something like this:

Maya: Please tell me the poster is ready.
Leo: Define “ready.”
Maya: Leo. The event starts tomorrow.
Leo: Good news: I work well under pressure.

You can follow this example or replace it with your own characters and dialogue.

Before You Begin

Sign in to AU Studio and prepare:

• A name for your project.
• Names for two fictional characters.
• A short conversation.
• Optional images you are allowed to use as character avatars.

You do not need real social media accounts. The character accounts you create in AU Studio are fictional identities used in your scenes.

Step 1: Create a Project

From the Dashboard, use the project creation control.

Name your project After Class. If you want to add a description, use:

Two classmates try to finish preparations for a school event without admitting how much they rely on each other.

Complete the project creation form and open its Studio workspace.

Your project will keep the characters and scenes for this story together.

Step 2: Add Your First Character

Open the character management controls in your project.

Create a character named Maya. Add an avatar if you have one, then save the character.

For this example, Maya is the organized classmate who keeps track of deadlines.

You do not need to complete every optional detail before making your first scene.

Step 3: Add Your Second Character

Create another character named Leo.

Add an optional avatar and save the character.

Leo is responsible for the event poster. He is confident that he can finish it, even if Maya has doubts.

You now have the two participants for your conversation.

Step 4: Prepare Their Chat Accounts

Decide which platform you want the conversation to resemble.

In character management, add the matching fictional account for each character if your chosen platform requires one.

For example, if you choose an Instagram DM scene, create an Instagram account for both characters:

Character	Fictional Instagram username
Maya	@maya.afterclass
Leo	@leo.lately

Save each account before continuing.

The account platform must match the scene. An Instagram account cannot replace an account required for another platform.

If you already created suitable accounts, reuse them.

Step 5: Create the Conversation Scene

Return to the Studio and select Add Scene.

Choose a conversation scene type:

• 1-on-1 Fake Chat for a private chat scene.
• Instagram Direct Message if you prepared Instagram accounts for this example.

Select the platform if the form asks for one, then choose Maya and Leo as the participants.

If the form requests an account, select the matching account for that character and platform.

Give the scene a descriptive title, such as The Missing Poster, if a title field is available. Complete the form to create the scene.

If AU Studio reports that an account is missing, return to character management, add the required account, and try again.

Step 6: Add the First Message

Select your new scene in the scene navigator.

In the message controls:

1. Choose Maya as the sender.

2. Enter the first message:

   Please tell me the poster is ready.

3. Set any available message details you want to use.

4. Add the message.

Check the preview to make sure the text appears under the intended character.

Step 7: Build the Conversation

Switch the sender to Leo and add:

Define “ready.”

Continue alternating between the two characters:

Sender	Message
Maya	Leo. The event starts tomorrow.
Leo	Good news: I work well under pressure.

Check the selected sender before adding each message.

Keep your first conversation short. A few messages are enough to learn how the editor works and see how your dialogue fits in the preview.

Step 8: Review the Appearance

Look at the scene preview.

Check that:

• Maya and Leo appear as the intended participants.
• Each message belongs to the correct sender.
• Messages appear in the intended order.
• Text wraps clearly and is easy to read.
• Avatars and account details look right.
• Timestamps and message statuses, where available, fit the conversation.

Explore the presentation controls available for your scene. Adjust the device or appearance if those options are shown.

Review the preview after each change.

Step 9: Save Your Changes

Follow the save controls and status messages in the editor.

If a Save button is available for the settings you changed, use it before exporting. Wait for the operation to finish and resolve any validation errors.

Saving your project data and downloading an image are separate actions.

Step 10: Export Your Chat as a PNG

When the scene looks right, select Export PNG.

Wait for the export to finish, then open the downloaded image.

Check the image itself before sharing:

• Is the text readable?
• Are the intended messages visible?
• Are the correct characters and images displayed?
• Does the result match the scene you wanted?

If you need to make changes, return to the scene, edit and save it, then export again.

You have created your first fictional AU chat.

Common Questions

Why can’t I select a character?

Check that the character belongs to the current project and has the account required by the selected platform.

For an Instagram DM scene, both participants need suitable Instagram accounts.

Why did a message appear under the wrong character?

The selected sender determines who sends the message. Review the sender control before adding the next message and correct the existing message through its editing controls.

Why aren’t all my messages visible in the exported image?

Review the scene’s visible preview and export framing. Avoid assuming that one PNG will include an unlimited conversation.

For a longer exchange, consider dividing it into shorter scenes and exporting each one.

Does exporting send the conversation anywhere?

No. Exporting creates an image of your fictional scene. It does not send real messages or publish anything to a social media account.

What to Try Next

Create another scene in the same project and reuse Maya and Leo.

You could show their conversation after the event or create a fictional social media post featuring the finished poster.

When sharing your exported scene, make its fictional storytelling context clear.