Custom Model Creation

The Custom Model Creation panel provides tools for merging armatures and attaching meshes to create combined or customized models.

Overview

This panel has two main modes:

• Armature Mode: Merge two complete armatures together
• Mesh Mode: Attach individual meshes to an existing armature

Tutorial

A helpful tutorial button is available at the top of the panel to guide you through the process with step-by-step instructions.

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Armature Mode

Use Armature Mode to combine two rigged models into one.

Requirements

• At least two armatures in your scene
• Both armatures should have meshes attached

Main Settings

Merge Same Bones

• Automatically combines bones with matching names
• Ideal when both models use similar bone structures
• Example: Merging two VRChat-standard models

Apply Transforms

• Applies current transformations before merging
• Recommended to enable for clean merges
• Prevents scale and rotation issues

Join Meshes

• Combines meshes after armature merging
• Results in a single mesh object
• Useful for final optimization

Remove Zero Weight Bones

• Cleans up unused bones after merge
• Reduces bone count
• Improves performance

Cleanup Shape Keys

• Optimizes shape keys during merge
• Removes duplicate or unused shape keys
• Maintains important facial expressions

Merge Selection

Merge Into:

• Select the target (base) armature
• This armature will receive the merged content
• Usually your main character model

To Merge:

• Choose which armature to merge in
• This will be combined into the target
• Usually clothing, accessories, or additional parts

Attach to Bone: (Available when "Merge Same Bones" is disabled)

• Select which bone to attach the merged armature to
• Useful for accessories or attachments
• Example: Attaching wings to the spine bone

How to Use Armature Mode

1. Import both models into your scene
2. Select the Merge Into armature (your base model)
3. Select the To Merge armature (the model to add)
4. Choose your merge settings:
   • Enable Merge Same Bones if models use similar skeletons
   • Enable Apply Transforms (recommended)
   • Enable Join Meshes if you want a single mesh result
5. If not merging same bones, select Attach to Bone
6. Click the Merge button
7. Wait for the process to complete

Common Use Cases

Combining Character Parts:

• Base body + clothing with bones
• Character + rigged hair
• Multiple character parts into one

Adding Rigged Accessories:

• Wings with their own skeleton
• Tails with bone chains
• Rigged props

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Mesh Mode

Use Mesh Mode to attach standalone meshes to an existing armature.

Requirements

• At least one armature in your scene
• At least one unrigged mesh object

Settings

Join Meshes:

• Option to combine the attached mesh with existing meshes
• Results in a single mesh object
• Good for organization and optimization

Selection Options

Merge Into:

• Choose target armature
• The armature that will receive the mesh

Attach Mesh:

• Select the mesh object to attach
• Must be an unrigged mesh

Attach to Bone:

• Pick the bone for attachment
• The mesh will follow this bone's movement
• Example: Attaching a hat to the head bone

How to Use Mesh Mode

1. Make sure you have an armature and unrigged mesh in your scene
2. Switch to Mesh Mode in the panel
3. Select the Merge Into armature
4. Select the Attach Mesh to add
5. Choose the Attach to Bone where it should connect
6. Enable Join Meshes if you want to combine with existing meshes
7. Click the Attach button

Common Use Cases

Rigid Attachments:

• Hats, helmets, glasses
• Accessories that don't need to deform
• Props that follow a specific bone

Clothing Without Weights:

• Simple clothing items
• Accessories that match body shape
• Decorative elements

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Tips and Best Practices

Before Merging

1. Position models correctly - Place models where you want them in 3D space
2. Check scale - Ensure both models are the same scale
3. Save a backup - Always keep a copy before merging
4. Name bones clearly - Makes "Merge Same Bones" work better

During Merging

1. Start with Apply Transforms enabled - Prevents most issues
2. Use Merge Same Bones when possible - Cleaner result
3. Keep Join Meshes disabled initially - Easier to fix issues
4. Test without cleanup first - Add cleanup after confirming merge works

After Merging

1. Check weight painting - Verify meshes deform correctly
2. Test animations - Make sure everything moves properly
3. Review bone hierarchy - Ensure structure makes sense
4. Optimize if needed - Use Optimization tools

Troubleshooting Merges

Mesh appears in wrong location:

• Enable Apply Transforms and try again
• Check the original model positions

Bones don't merge correctly:

• Verify bone names match exactly (case-sensitive)
• Check that bones have similar positions

Mesh doesn't follow armature:

• Verify the mesh was properly weighted
• Check that vertex groups match bone names

Shape keys disappear:

• Enable Cleanup Shape Keys
• Check that shape keys exist on target mesh

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Limitations

• Armature Mode requires at least 2 armatures
• Mesh Mode requires at least 1 armature and 1 mesh
• Very complex merges may take time to process
• Some custom bone constraints may need manual fixing

⚠️ Warning: Always create a backup of your models before performing merge operations. Merging is a complex process and results may vary depending on model complexity.

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Related Pages:

• Optimization - Post-merge optimization
• Bone Parenting - Managing bone hierarchy
• Troubleshooting - Common merge issues