Users can then use those 3D models to create still images and animated videos, or have xxx sex with them using a VR headset and a connected xxx sex toy like the Fleshlight Launch, which automatically strokes the person's penis in sync with action on screen. Kyle Machulis, who creates open source software for controlling sex toys, discovered the VaM community because it was using his tools to connect VaM to a Fleshlight Launch, an automated masturbation device. This way, for example, when a character in VaM moved her hand up and down a virtual penis, the Launch strokes the user's real penis in sync, creating a more immersive experience. For example, the wiki instructs users how to give a 3D model a realistic vagina by downloading one from Renderotica, a community and marketplace for 3D-rendered porn. The VaM community wiki also instructs users how to create faces using reference photos, create their own animations, and import full models or individual body parts created by other users.





Machulis asked users in the VaM subreddit how, exactly, they use the sex simulator. SAG-AFTRA supported a law against deepfake videos that recently passed in California and hopes to pass a similar law in New York, but Crabtree-Ireland said that even new laws won't stop nonconsensual use of someone's likeness entirely. But those laws vary by state, and for ordinary individuals who don't have a famous face, there may be little legal recourse. He told Motherboard that he was a little surprised by the answers. Davos told Motherboard. Davos sells extreme fetish accessories and scenes on Renderotica. It's a site where creators like Davos sell adult comics created with 3D models, or 3D body parts that can be modify Daz 3D models. After browsing Daz 3D, we were also targeted with ads of generic, scantily clad 3D models of women that invited us to "get her now." Daz 3D did not respond to our request for comment.





Even tools and platforms that are not specifically for adult content enable this-Daz 3D, the popular and free 3D modeling tool, has a store where users can upload and sell their creations. The VaM community subreddit's rules instruct members not to post images, videos, or scenes "that could be considered illegal, strongly offensive, or immoral," but has no stated rule about posting 3D models or adult content of real people. Ultimately, a pornographic image created with VaM doesn't look meaningfully different than a drawn or Photoshopped pornographic image, or other 3D-rendered porn, all of which have have been used to create nonconsensual porn for decades. People have been using computer graphics to create adult content for decades. There are the hashtags that are more obviously problematic for containing profanity, terms referring to pornographic activity, or violence for example; but when ordinary hashtags are co-opted by enough bots, fake accounts, or malicious users in connection to harmful or spam content it can cause both problem and normal posts alike to be hidden and flagged to Instagram’s content moderators.



Another creator of 3D human models that are used in adult content and whose work is supported on Patreon was adamant that the VaM community isn't all about porn, and isn't all about recreating real people, either. Danaher said that it is potentially unhealthy to hold on to the past in this way, but the people in this community that Motherboard talked to said that programs like VaM are a way to get back to a time or a feeling they can't get back to otherwise. Maybe he has never called a escort service before, or he may have done it but he didn't have a good time. Some of the images featured what they called ‘tributes’, which involved ejaculating onto the faked pictures of me and then sending in images of that. A man will treat you the way that you allow him too stop putting up with the mess then he'll stop bringing it to you.