Upload a custom model by placing the model file in VTube Studio's model folder, then selecting it from the app's model menu

VTube Studio reads model files directly from a folder on your computer. To upload a custom model, you move the model file into that folder, then open VTube Studio and choose it from the list. The app does not read models from the internet or require a separate upload step — you are straightforward telling the software where to find the file you already have.

The process takes about two minutes once you know where the folder is located. Most people get stuck because they put the file in the wrong place or use a file format VTube Studio does not recognize.

Key Takeaways

  • VTube Studio stores custom models in a specific folder on your PC: Documents\VTube Studio\Models on Windows or Documents/VTube Studio/Models on Mac.
  • Your model file must be in .vrm format — VTube Studio does not read .fbx, .blend, or other 3D file types without conversion.
  • After placing the file in the Models folder, restart VTube Studio completely, then select the model from the model list in the app.
  • If the model does not appear after restart, check that the file name contains no special characters and that the .vrm file is not inside a subfolder.

Locate the VTube Studio Models folder on your PC

Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and navigate to your Documents folder. Inside Documents, look for a folder named VTube Studio. If you have never launched VTube Studio before, this folder may not exist yet — in that case, create it yourself and name it exactly VTube Studio.

Inside the VTube Studio folder, create another folder named Models if it is not already there. This is where all custom model files go. The full path should be Documents\VTube Studio\Models on Windows or Documents/VTube Studio/Models on Mac. Do not put models anywhere else — VTube Studio will not find them.

Prepare your model file in .vrm format

VTube Studio only reads files in .vrm format. If your model is a .fbx, .blend, .obj, or any other 3D file type, you must convert it first. The most common tool for this is UniVRM, which is free and works on Windows and Mac.

read UniVRM from the official GitHub repository (search "UniVRM releases"). Open the tool, import your 3D model, and export it as a .vrm file. Save the .vrm file to your computer — you will move it to the Models folder in the next step. If your model came as a .vrm file already, you can skip this step and move directly to placing it in the folder.

Move the .vrm file into the Models folder

Locate the .vrm file on your computer. Cut or copy it, then navigate to Documents\VTube Studio\Models (Windows) or Documents/VTube Studio/Models (Mac) and paste it there. The file name should contain only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores — avoid spaces and special characters like &, %, or @, as these can cause the file not to load.

For example, name your file my_character.vrm or character-v1.vrm, not my character & friend.vrm. Do not place the .vrm file inside a subfolder within Models — it must be directly in the Models folder itself.

Restart VTube Studio and select your model

Close VTube Studio completely if it is running. Restarting the app forces it to scan the Models folder again and find your new file. Open VTube Studio again. On the main screen, look for the model selection area — this is usually a button or menu that says "Select Model" or shows the name of the current model.

Click on it to open the model list. Your new model should appear in the list with its file name. Click on it to load it. VTube Studio will initialize the model and you should see it appear in the viewport within a few seconds.

Troubleshoot if your model does not appear

If you restart VTube Studio and your model is not in the list, check these common issues. First, verify the file is actually in Documents\VTube Studio\Models — not in a subfolder, not on the Desktop, not in Downloads. Second, confirm the file name ends in .vrm and contains no special characters. Third, make sure the file is not corrupted by trying to open it in another VRM viewer like VRM Viewer (free, online).

If the file opens in another viewer but not in VTube Studio, the model may have compatibility issues. Some models use features or bone structures that VTube Studio does not support. Try a different model to confirm VTube Studio itself is working. If other models load fine, the issue is with that specific model file, not your setup.

Load multiple models and switch between them

You can store as many .vrm files as you want in the Models folder. Each one will appear in VTube Studio's model list. To switch models, click the model selection button and choose a different one from the list. VTube Studio will load the new model in a few seconds.

There is no limit to how many models you can store, but loading a very large number of files can slow down the model list. If you have more than 50 models, consider organizing them into separate folders on your computer and moving only the ones you use regularly into the VTube Studio Models folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a model that is not in .vrm format?

No. VTube Studio only reads .vrm files. If your model is .fbx, .blend, .obj, or another format, you must convert it to .vrm using a tool like UniVRM before placing it in the Models folder. Some online converters also exist, though UniVRM is the most reliable.

What if I put the model file in the wrong folder?

VTube Studio will not find it. Move the .vrm file to Documents\VTube Studio\Models (Windows) or Documents/VTube Studio/Models (Mac), then restart the app. The model should appear in the list after restart.

Do I need to restart my computer after adding a model?

No. You only need to close and reopen VTube Studio itself. Restarting your computer is not necessary and will not help if the model is in the wrong folder or in the wrong format.

Can I organize my models into subfolders?

VTube Studio does not read models from subfolders. All .vrm files must be directly in the Documents\VTube Studio\Models folder. If you want to organize them, do so on your computer outside of VTube Studio, and move only the ones you want to use into the main Models folder.

Why does my model load but look broken or distorted?

The model file may have compatibility issues with VTube Studio, or it may have been corrupted during conversion. Try opening it in a free online VRM viewer to see if it looks correct there. If it does, the issue is with VTube Studio's support for that model's features. If it looks broken everywhere, the model file itself is damaged and you may need to reconvert it or use a different version.