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Custom Models

You can import your own 3D models into Tabletop Simulator with our Custom Model importer! You can choose from a few different materials to give the right sounds, as well as change the specular intensity, color and sharpness and much more!

Custom Model Menu

Steps

  • Click on OBJECTS -> COMPONENTS -> CUSTOM -> MODEL.
  • Import files for the Model/Mesh and optionally, the Diffuse, Normals and Colliders. You can also upload the files to a webhost and input the URLs manually.
  • Choose what type your object is. In our example, we chose Figurine so that the object is always straightened up when picked up.
  • Next choose the Material tab.
  • Choose what material your object is made out of. This will determine the sound and shader of your object.
  • Go through each section to tweak the options even further if you want more control.
  • Press IMPORT to see your custom object in game.
  • Right click on the object and choose Custom if you wish to make any changes.

Tips

  • Meshes/models must be in .obj format.
  • Image files must be .jpg or .png, use .jpg to conserve ram when possible.
  • Triangulate all your meshes/models to avoid holes.
  • Make sure the normals on your mesh are facing the right direction.
  • Set the origin point of the model to the center of mass for best physics.
  • Object type controls the special properties of the objects. Mouse over each to find out more.
  • Don’t go crazy with poly counts, use a normal map to add fine detail.
  • Keep the vertices below 25k for best results, as any higher your objects may not import and/or crash your game.
  • If you want more control over your models, then you might want to look into our AssetBundles.

Collision

  • If you do not specify a custom mesh collider .obj, then the game will calculate a box collider to fit your object.
  • Custom mesh collider is just a way for you to have a collider that isn’t a box.
  • Only use a custom mesh collider if a box collider will not work, due to performance.
  • Box colliders are much more optimized in the physics engine.
  • It’s best to use a simplified version of your model with less than 255 triangles. (As simple as possible)
  • If your model is already sufficiently low poly enough you can use the same for the Custom Mesh Collider.

Non-Convex / Concave Colliders

  • Non-convex colliders allow collisions to work like the Chinese Checkers board which has indents and is concave.
  • Convex colliders will fill in any indents or holes in the mesh due to how it calculates the collider.
  • The problem with non-convex colliders it only works properly on locked object.
  • If you need concave colliders and also need the object to move then you must use compound colliders.

Compound Colliders

  • Compound colliders are multiple meshes inside one .obj file that create multiple colliders on a singular object.
  • Compound colliders allow you make concave shapes and get around the fact that you can’t have non-convex colliders that move.
  • Break you mesh into multiple convex shapes then export them in a single .obj file to create compound colliders.
  • Non-convex should be set to false when using compound colliders.