We’ve gotten a lot of questions on TikTok about custom VRM models and mod support—so we’d love to take a moment to answer the most common ones!
Many of you asked:
“Can we mod it?”
“Can I use my own model?”
“My model didn’t work, but it works in another app—can you help?”
Let’s go through each one:
Can we mod it?
Yes—MateEngine is fully moddable! It’s open source, and the code is available online. You're welcome to create and share your own modifications.
Just one important note: MateEngine uses the AGPL license, which means any modifications you make (that include our source code) must also be shared publicly as open source. This helps keep the community open, transparent, and safe for everyone.
If you're new to this, we recommend reading up on the AGPL license before publishing your mods.
Also, while we fully support modding, we don't use the Steam Workshop for mods due to licensing limitations and review requirements. For example, we can’t legally verify every uploaded VRM file for licensing. Since we’re a small team (just one developer and one musician!), we kindly ask you to use other platforms to share your mods.
Can I use my own VRM model?
Absolutely! You can load your own custom VRM file as long as it was exported correctly.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
VRM 0.x uses MToon shaders
VRM 1.x uses MToon 1.0 shaders and a strict bone structure
Example structure:
Model
└── Armature
└── Hips
└── (Your rig goes here)
If your model follows this format and uses proper shaders, it should load just fine. If you’re unsure how to set up your model, there are great VRM tutorials available on YouTube!
My model won’t load, but it works in other apps?
If your VRM model doesn’t load in MateEngine, it’s likely due to export issues—such as missing shaders or incorrect bone structures.
You might think:
“But it worked in app X or on website Y?”
That’s totally fair—many apps automatically apply fallback shaders or correct bone structures for you. MateEngine doesn’t do this on purpose: we want creators to be aware of how to properly export and manage their own files.
We know that can be a bit frustrating at first, but it helps everyone learn and create higher-quality content. So before leaving a negative review, please double-check your VRM setup. We’re always happy to point you toward helpful resources!
Thanks so much for your questions and support—we love seeing your creativity and custom characters in MateEngine. Keep exploring, experimenting, and sharing!